Friday, September 26, 2008

This intent was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN).

ICRISAT Director General Dr William D Dar and the Executive Director of ARCN, Dr BY Abubakar, signed the MOU recently. The Chair of ICRISAT`s Governing Board, Dr Stein Bie, was present during the signing function.

ARCN will facilitate ICRISAT`s re-establishment in Nigeria through this MOU. ICRISAT had research collaboration with the Nigerian Government since 1987, with a research center at Kano, which was later closed down.

According to Dr Dar, the MOU will strengthen collaboration with Nigeria, and with the re-established Center ICRISAT scientists and their counterparts from the national agricultural research system of Nigeria will be able to work together closely on agricultural research. This will be a boost to collaborative research in Nigeria and neighboring regions.

Under the MOU, ARCN and ICRISAT will implement joint research programs in Nigeria; ensure mutual cooperation and collaboration among scientists; facilitate exchange of germplasm, breeding material, scientific information and techniques; and also focus on capacity development.

ICRISAT will initiate a regional research and training program on its mandate crops (mainly sorghum and millet) and natural resource management in West and Central Africa from a central base in Nigeria.


© 2008 by ICRISAT