IITA’s Cassava Weed Management Project Signs MoU With SON

IITA Cassava Weed Management Project

The Cassava Weed Management Project, managed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON).

This is contained in a statement signed by the IITA Communications Officer, Mr Godwin Atser, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan.

According to IITA, the MoU is to foster cooperation for the development and implementation of collaborative programmes, while highlighting the framework for partnership between both organizations.

Areas covered in the MoU include the exchange of scientific information and development of specific cooperative programmes and projects, especially in the areas of standardization.

The Weed Management Project Leader, Dr Alfred Dixon, described the signing of the MoU as a remarkable milestone in the efforts to address the problem of weeds in cassava farms in Nigeria.

“The weed challenge is a huge task and we need all hands to be on deck to solve this problem.
“The IITA Cassava Weed Management Project is employing the use of best-bet agronomic practices, mechanical weed control options, use of environmentally friendly herbicides, and the integration of the three options to control weeds.

“So far, the project has procured and is adapting mechanical weeders in collaboration with Nigerian engineers.

“Once completed, local fabricators will be trained on the fabrication of these weeders for onward dissemination to farmers,’’ Dixon was quoted as saying. (NAN)