Researchers hail IITA cassava weed management

Heads of implementing partner institutions comprising the National Root Crops Research Institute(NRCRI), Umudike, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta(FUNAAB), and the University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM) are proud over the progress made towards the implementation of the Cassava Weed Management Project (CWMP)—a project that is led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

 

In a briefing session with the Project Coordinating team in Makurdi, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Prof Emmanuel Kucha thanked the team for a good job and reechoed the support of the University to the project. Prof Kucha who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of UAM, Prof John Ayoade said the equipment donated to the University by the project were of great help to research. He commended the team for efficient and effective sharing of information on the activities of the project through the newsletter and social media, and also called on other projects to emulate the IITA-CWMP.

At the NRCRI, the Executive Director, Dr Julius Okonkwo lauded the milestones achievement of the project through capacity building adding that his institute would continue to provide the necessary support to ensure that the project attains its goals and impacts positively on farmers. Dr Okonkwo pledged to ensure that the project’s assets and research trials were protected and secured.

Demonstrating his commitment to the Project, the NRCRI boss promised to release additional 4 hectares to the IITA-CWMP for trials this season at Utobi in Benue state.

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Prof O. B. Oyewole said his University was glad to be part of the IITA-CWMP. He emphasized that the results from the project would be useful to the society in general, and the advancement of the productivity of cassava in Nigeria.

Earlier the Principal Investigator of the IITA-CWMP, Prof Friday Ekeleme  and the Communication & Knowledge Exchange Expert, Mr Godwin Atser had made oral presentations on the activities of the project in the outgoing year and plans for the year 2015.  Prof Ekeleme said the successful implementation of the activities of the project last year was a joint effort of NRCRI, FUNAAB, UAM and IITA under the leadership of the Project Coordinator, Dr Alfred Dixon.