Post by Ismail AbdulAzeez on Jan 24, 2019 14:48:34 GMT 1
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sudan on Cassava Transformation.
The MoU was signed when a presidential delegation from Sudan visited IITA to acquaint themselves with the Institute in a bid to exchange ideas, and explore areas for collaboration with IITA on cassava transformation.
Speaking on the MoU, the Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga said that the collaboration between the Institute and Sudan would give hope and put smiles on the faces of farmers in the northern African country.
According to him, the ITTA is “ready to expand into Sudan with a strengthened diversified portfolio to contribute to improved livelihoods and incomes for small-scale farmers in the country.”
Head of Sudan delegation, Professor Ahmed Suliman, in his remarks, explained that the country desired to become a cassava growing nation for the sole purpose of converting the root crop to cassava flour that would replace wheat in baking.
He added that “Our Presidency is very much interested in supporting the inclusion of High Quality Cassava Flour in bread and other forms of confectionery as part of efforts to improve food security and the livelihoods of farmers in the country.
“On that note, I would initiate the immediate development of a MoU with IITA to serve as a guide to common interests between the two institutions.”
On his part, IITA Director for Development & Delivery Dr Alfred Dixon, who commended Sudan on the move noted that cassava as the third-largest crop in the tropics, is a major staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, providing a basic staple for over half a billion people.
The collaboration between Sudan and IITA is aimed at reducing the importation of wheat and saving the country’s foreign exchange and it would also facilitate the introduction of improved cassava varieties to Sudan.
The MoU was signed when a presidential delegation from Sudan visited IITA to acquaint themselves with the Institute in a bid to exchange ideas, and explore areas for collaboration with IITA on cassava transformation.
Speaking on the MoU, the Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga said that the collaboration between the Institute and Sudan would give hope and put smiles on the faces of farmers in the northern African country.
According to him, the ITTA is “ready to expand into Sudan with a strengthened diversified portfolio to contribute to improved livelihoods and incomes for small-scale farmers in the country.”
Head of Sudan delegation, Professor Ahmed Suliman, in his remarks, explained that the country desired to become a cassava growing nation for the sole purpose of converting the root crop to cassava flour that would replace wheat in baking.
He added that “Our Presidency is very much interested in supporting the inclusion of High Quality Cassava Flour in bread and other forms of confectionery as part of efforts to improve food security and the livelihoods of farmers in the country.
“On that note, I would initiate the immediate development of a MoU with IITA to serve as a guide to common interests between the two institutions.”
On his part, IITA Director for Development & Delivery Dr Alfred Dixon, who commended Sudan on the move noted that cassava as the third-largest crop in the tropics, is a major staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, providing a basic staple for over half a billion people.
The collaboration between Sudan and IITA is aimed at reducing the importation of wheat and saving the country’s foreign exchange and it would also facilitate the introduction of improved cassava varieties to Sudan.