18 October 2024

IITA -CGIAR hosted a two-day "Tricot on-farm trial workshop" at the institute's headquarters in Ibadan on 4 and 5 October. The workshop was designed to enhance the implementation of soybean on-farm trials by integrating the Triadic Comparison of Technologies (Tricot) approach. This approach prioritizes farmers' context to overcome the limitations associated with traditional trials, thereby fostering soybean productivity in Africa.

In addition to enhancing trial methodologies, the workshop served as a collaborative platform for various stakeholders, including representatives from the Federal University of Agriculture, Markudi, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), Premier Seeds, and soybean farmers. Their shared insights and experiences on crop varieties and agroecology underscored the inclusive nature of the workshop and the importance of their contributions to the agricultural sector.

IITA Product Manager for Grain Crops, Dean Muungani, introduced participants to the Tricot Trial Scheme, an innovative approach to advancing the agricultural sector. He explained that the scheme employs decentralized, real-world testing, allowing for broader geographical representation in agricultural trials. This approach ensures more representative data from diverse regions, compensating for potential variations in data quality while providing valuable insights for more targeted agricultural solutions.

As an IITA Postdoctoral Fellow in Soybean Breeding, Abush Abebe exposed the participants to an in-depth knowledge of soybean, focusing on techniques to develop high-yielding varieties and various agronomic practices.

The workshop facilitated discussions identifying key collaboration areas focusing on the geographic regions for implementing Tricot on-farm trials in 2025. Participants also considered the target groups, best crop varieties, technologies to be deployed, and agroecological practices. A particular emphasis was placed on enhancing the uses of soybeans to meet the growing demand in Nigeria, ensuring the trials are aligned with both market needs and sustainable agricultural practices.

Senior Cassava Breeding Research Supervisor Bello Abolore shared success stories from recent cassava experimental designs and trial establishment. He highlighted the effective use of the Tricot approach in training, evaluation, and data collection throughout the trials. Participants were also introduced to the ODK Collect app, a digital tool used for efficient data collection in the field, further demonstrating the integration of digital solutions into agricultural research.

The workshop concluded with a practical demonstration of how to plant a soybean Tricot Trial, allowing participants to understand the process and its challenges. This interactive session, along with the forging of partnerships, was a key part of the workshop, with the overarching goal of fostering soybean productivity in Africa.

Soybean National Coordinator and NCRI Chief Research Officer Shaahu Aondover said, "It is crucial to implement strict phytosanitary measures to ensure that all planting materials are free from pathogens before their release into the country, as this is essential for safeguarding crop health, ensuring the success of soybean cultivation in Nigeria."

Contributed by Anita Akinyomade