AATF, emir canvass support for massive cowpea production

IN its bid to ensure the adoption and production of pest resistant cowpeas, a delegation of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation ( AATF) has met the Emir of Rano, Kano State, Ambassador Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa, for a strategic meeting.

According to a statement signed by the Communication Officer ( West and Central Africa) AATF, Okpani Alex Abutu, made available to journalists in Kaduna, the meeting, held at the Emir’s Palace in Rano, was aimed at soliciting his support in promoting the uptake of PBR Cowpea, a genetically modified crop designed to withstand the devastating impact of pests and enhance agricultural productivity in Nigeria.

The leader of the delegation, Dr Jean Baptiste, who doubles as the AATF Regional Representative for West Africa, said the cowpea, a staple crop in Nigeria, plays a crucial role in addressing food security and nutritional needs, particularly in rural communities.

“However, the crop is often plagued by the devastating impact of pests, notably the maruca vitrata, which can cause significant yield losses if left unchecked,” he said. Baptiste explained that to address the pest challenges, AATF and partners have developed PBR cowpea varieties engineered to resist the destructive effects of the pod borer, offering a sustainable solution to improve yields and enhance farmer livelihoods.

Besides, he said the organisation was founded in 2003 to address Africa’s food security prospects through agricultural technology, AATF, “believes that the agricultural sector is a key foundational pillar as Africa consolidates its economic growth and carves out its new position as a major global economic powerhouse and the next growth market in the world.

“AATF was formed in response to the need for an effective mechanism that would facilitate and support negotiation for technology access and delivery and formation of appropriate partnerships to manage the development and deployment of innovative technologies for use by smallholder farmers in Sub Saharan Africa ( SSA).”