December 22, 2024 - 11:18 PM Africa/Lagos
IAEGO commits to research and innovation that encompasses both agronomic Research & Development (R&D) for yield intensification and process optimization as well as strategic long-term partnerships that keep us at the forefront of planting material development and agricultural digitalization.
Given that majority of the population in Africa lives in rural areas and depends on what they grow to feed themselves. However, most rely on a major staple that offers calories but usually inadequate nutrients leading to malnutrition or “hidden hunger”. When people do not get the right quantities of vitamins and minerals in their diet, they are more susceptible to sickness and diseases. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies and do not have enough Vitamin A, iron, and zinc needed to maintain a healthy diet.
Scientists at IAEGO have found ways to add these essential vitamins and minerals to everyday foods such as maize, cassava, and beans through biofortification – a process by which the nutritional quality of a food crop is enhanced through plant breeding. This knowledge is received from research-based policy solutions of international institutes such as the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and HarvestPlus.
The Nigerian government has agricultural research institutions and other collaborating national and international institutions to help investors and farmers with their research findings. These include the following;