Environment Ministry, IITA sign agreement : To promote research into tropical crops
The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed an agreement to make Ghana the West African hub for research into tropical and cash crops.
Under the agreement, the Tamale-based IITA will provide $5 million annually for the Research-For-Development (R4D) programme in the agricultural sector.
The agreement was signed by the Deputy Minister of the MESTI, Dr Alfred Sugri Tia, on behalf of the government, and the Country Director of the IITA, Dr Asamoah Larbi, in Accra yesterday.
Research hub
The decision to make Ghana the research hub in West Africa was made after parliamentary approval was given in December 2015 to give legal backing to the operations of the IITA in the country.
The IITA works with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks and generate wealth from agriculture, with the ultimate goal of reducing hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
The ‘host country agreement’ confers legal status and personality, as well as privileges and immunities and some exemptions in the areas of communication and transportation, to the IITA.
Benefits
Dr Tia said the relationship between Ghana and the IITA would bring significant benefits to farmers and the national economy through building individual and institutional capacities in Science and Technology, improved farm productivity and profitability, among others.
He also said the physical establishment of the IITA West Africa hub in Ghana would be a tourist attraction that could yield funds, as people from across the globe would visit the centre.
It would also attract Ghanaian researchers, extension agents, technicians and others, including farmers, processors and traders, to accelerate development.
For his part, Mr Larbi acknowledged that the agreement would be of mutual benefit to both the country and the IITA.
Writer's email-rebecca.quaicoe-duho@graphic.com.gh