COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 2016 LAKE CHAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN-HOUSE REVIEW MEETING AND NORTH-EAST ZONAL REFILS WORKSHOP HELD AT THE CONFERENCE HALL OF LAKE CHAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE, MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE

The Lake Chad Research Institute

The Lake Chad Research Institute In-house Review Meeting and North-East Zonal REFILS Workshop with the theme “Repositioning Agriculture for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development in Nigeria” was held from the 9^th to 12^TH May, 2016.

The Workshop was declared open by the representative of the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Ibrahim Muhammad Arabi, who was also the chairman of the occasion, while the Executive Director of Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri, Dr. Oluwasina Gbenga Olabanji delivered the welcome address. Other notable personalities at the workshop were, former Executive Directors of Lake Chad Research Institute, Dr M.C. Ikwelle and Professor W.B. Ndahi, representative of the Borno state Honorable Commissioner of Water Resources, Engr. Sanda Umar Sheriff, Program Managers of Agricultural Development Programs of Adamawa (Mr Andrew D. Shalldang) and Yobe (Alhaji Mustapha Goggobe) and representative of Borno, Gombe and Bauchi and the Provost Federal College of Fresh Water Fisheries Technology, Baga. Dr (Mrs) Roseline A. Obande.

The workshop was attended by FMARD, UNIMAID, CBDA, ADSU, IAR, NAERLS, FCWFFT Baga, IITA, NIFFR, NASC, ADPs (Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe), Farmer organizations, NGOs, Media and the staff of LCRI. The participants in attendance were  140. 

The keynote address was the theme of the workshop delivered by Dr S. T. Muhammad represented by Dr Ibrahim Mustapha Sulumbe from the University of Maiduguri. Goodwill messages were received from two of the former Executive Directors of the Institute, NASC, IAR, NAERLS, and farmers’ representatives.

The workshop presentations were delivered in five technical sessions which highlighted progress, challenges and way forward to agricultural research and development. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORKSHOP:

It was noted that:

·         Lake Chad Research Institute has developed and released the first rain fed wheat varieties in Nigeria {LACRI WHIT 7 (Reyna 15) and LACRI WHIT 8 (crow’s)} that yield between 3.5 and 4.0 t/ha adaptable to the highlands of Mambila, Jos and Obudu.

·         Two new irrigated wheat varieties were at the verge of nomination for release because of their outstanding performance: KAUZ “S” with mean yield of 5.86 t/ha and Pastor -2 with mean yield of 5.66t/ha 

·         The collaboration of LCRI and SARD SC has brought an increase in wheat yield through raise bed technology and provision of mobile seed cleaning machine with the capacity of one ton per hour. 

·         Other high yielding varieties of Maize from IAR (SAMMAZ 43, 44, and 45), and two cowpea varieties (SAMPEA 16 and 17) and Multi-purpose thresher were developed and released to the zone.

·         New technology to enhance legumes production using inoculant from IITA was introduced for farmers.

  

OBSERVATION:

·         That the Lake Chad Research Institute has impacted positively through appropriate research and development on the livelihood of farmers in the zone in particular and the nation at large.

·         That there were some remarkable collaborative efforts between the institute and relevant stakeholders.

·         Most of the ADPs in the zone could not perform their statutory obligations (On-farm research, TRMs, FNTs etc.) due to poor funding from their respective State Governments.

·         Inadequate extension agents for technology dissemination is affecting agricultural productivity in the zone.

·         That inadequate funding of research has negative impact on improved technology development

·         All the ADPs in the zone attended the workshop.

RESOLUTIONS:

The workshop resolved the following;

ü  Lake Chad Research Institute should sustain the efforts to reach more farmers in the Millet and Wheat producing areas of the country and the North east farming system.

ü  Lake Chad Research Institute is strongly advised to further strengthen collaborative efforts with relevant stakeholders, and advocacy to state governments for agricultural development in the Zone and the entire country. 

ü  That State Governments in the zone should make concerted efforts to fund the ADPs to improve agricultural skills of farmers in the zone

The Communiqué drafting committee consisted of:

1. Dr. K.W. Gwadi                                   (LCRI)                          Chairman
2. Dr. A.I. Sharifai                                   (IAR)                            Member
3. Mr. Ubandoma  Hudu Muhammed    (NASC)                         Member
4. Luka Daniel                                         (Bauchi ADP)               Member
5. Mr Ayeni Oladehinde                         (Media)                       Member
6. Bashir Alhaji Baba                              (LCRI)                          Secretary