Plateau State delegation explores deeper agricultural collaboration with IITA

18 March 2026

The Plateau State Government has taken a strategic step toward vitalizing its agricultural sector with a two-day working visit to IITA -CGIAR on 2-3 March. The seven-member delegation, led by the Technical Adviser to the State Government, Dr Haggai Gutap, explored cutting-edge agricultural innovations to boost productivity across the stat

The mission focused on strengthening partnerships for large-scale agricultural transformation across key value chains, including potato, cassava, and maize, while also exploring collaboration in soil health, seed systems, plant diagnostics, and youth agribusiness development. The delegation included representatives from the Plateau State Potato Value Chain initiative, the National Agricultural Seed Council, the Plateau-CARES project, and academia, including Julius Bulus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Welcoming the team, IITA's Deputy Director General, Corporate Services, Hilde Koper-Limbourg, highlighted the institute's nearly six decades of advancing resilient farming systems through science-based innovations that have improved agricultural productivity across Africa and beyond. During the visit, discussions centered on how Plateau State can leverage IITA's proven technologies to address persistent challenges faced by farmers, including low yields, soil degradation, disease infestations, and the widespread seed recycling, which reduces productivity.

Delegates expressed strong interest in IITA's soil testing services, which guide farmers on appropriate fertilizer application based on soil conditions. Strengthening seed systems was also identified as a priority, particularly the introduction of improved, high-yielding varieties adapted to the state's agroecological conditions. Another key area of engagement was plant health diagnostics and germplasm management, which helps detect and prevent the spread of seed-borne pests and diseases. These tools are increasingly important as climate change contributes to the emergence and spread of new crop threats, particularly in potato production.

Highlighting the state's agricultural potential, Gutap noted that Plateau State accounts for most of the Nigeria's potato production. "About 95% of potatoes are grown on the Plateau. Meanwhile, we on the Plateau don't say Irish potato-we say Plateau potato," he said. "Current yields average four to seven tons per hectare, but with improved technologies and best practices, yields could potentially reach 70 to 80 tons per hectare."

Plateau seeks IYA's support for youth engagement in agriculture

At the IITA Youth in Agribusiness (IYA) Unit, Gutap commended the institute's agribusiness park model, which provides young entrepreneurs with hands-on training and access to modern production facilities. He revealed that the Plateau State Government would adopt this model and aggregate its moribund facilities to serve agricultural training and agribusiness centers. "It's heartwarming that some of these facilities can be revived for such a purpose," he said.

"We are highly interested in engaging our youth in agriculture," Gutap said, noting that capacity building, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship support could help position young people to pursue profitable agribusiness opportunities. Members of the delegation also highlighted the potential impact of youth-focused agricultural programs in addressing unemployment and reducing risky livelihood options such as illegal or artisanal mining, which has contributed to environmental degradation in parts of the state.

In response, IYA's Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Adetola Adenmosun, reaffirmed the unit's readiness to collaborate with Plateau State to strengthen youth participation in agriculture. She noted that one of IYA's programs supported by the Mastercard Foundation is expected to expand to the state following earlier scoping engagements. The delegation also toured IYA's screenhouses, where various vegetables are cultivated, gaining firsthand insight into the practical training environment designed to prepare young agripreneurs for modern agriculture.

The delegation toured several IITA facilities, including laboratories and training centers, gaining firsthand insight into technologies such as tissue culture and innovative seed multiplication systems. Discussions around the potato value chain were particularly significant, as the Plateau State Government is currently establishing a tissue culture laboratory to strengthen seed production and improve crop performance.

The visit concluded with both parties agreeing to establish a technical working group to identify priority interventions and develop a coordinated plan for collaboration and implementation. Proposed areas of cooperation include soil health mapping, improved seed dissemination, plant disease diagnostics, capacity building, and youth agribusiness programs.

Delegates expressed optimism that the partnership will help scale research innovations from laboratories to farmers' fields. By aligning scientific expertise with local agricultural priorities, Plateau State and IITA aim to strengthen agricultural value chains-from seed and soil management to training, agribusiness development, and market access-ultimately improving livelihoods and food security in the state.

Contributed by Folake Oduntan and Babatunde Ajaja