Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ In a significant move to strengthen agricultural collaboration, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo, recently visited the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) headquarters in Ibadan. The visit signals a renewed dedication to deepening partnerships aimed at transforming food systems and boosting agricultural innovation across the African continent.
Welcoming the Rwandan delegation, Dr. Simeon Ehui, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, lauded Ambassador Bazivamo’s dual expertise as both an agronomist and policymaker. “Your background aligns seamlessly with our vision at IITA,” Dr. Ehui remarked. “We look forward to forging deeper ties to achieve mutual goals in sustainable agriculture.”
Ambassador Bazivamo expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, describing the visit as a long-awaited milestone. “Visiting IITA is a dream fulfilled,” he stated. “I’ve long admired the Institute’s transformative work in African agriculture and food security.” He emphasized Rwanda’s interest in leveraging IITA’s scientific advancements in areas such as aflatoxin control, cassava waste utilization for animal feed, value chain development, climate-resilient farming, and youth empowerment.
He also highlighted the broader context of Rwanda-Nigeria cooperation, which spans sectors like defense, aviation, and education. With IITA’s footprint in both nations, the ambassador noted the Institute could serve as a pivotal connector for scaling agricultural innovation across borders.
Dr. Ehui reaffirmed IITA’s commitment to Rwanda, pointing to active projects in banana and cassava research, the adoption of digital agriculture tools, and the creation of improved crop varieties. He advocated for enhanced efforts to support youth entrepreneurship and promote inclusive agricultural growth.
Discussions also emphasized the critical need to bridge the gap between research institutions and smallholder farmers. Both parties agreed that intermediary organizations must play a larger role in translating scientific findings into practical solutions, ensuring that innovations reach those who need them most.
Ambassador Bazivamo concluded by expressing Rwanda’s readiness to elevate its partnership with IITA. “We highly value our relationship with IITA and are fully committed to supporting initiatives that foster agricultural innovation and food system resilience.”
The visit sets a promising foundation for deeper Rwanda-IITA collaboration, with shared goals to drive sustainable agricultural development, empower young people, and strengthen Africa’s resilience in the face of climate and food security challenges.
