Yearly Archives - 2021

On the 2nd of September, 2021, African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) organized sensitization training in a correctional facility in Akorede, Ibadan. The invitation to come was granted by the prison Agricultural Service Officer who had experience as an extension agent and has previously worked with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Mr. Alonge Ibikunle of the Department of Correctional Service (DCS) to train and sensitize farmers.

Lead farmers have overjoyed the functionality of the VIAMO service in accessing various AKILIMO recommendations noting that it is good and easy to use and they pledged to train their fellow farmers to increase efficiency in cassava production.
This came after training on good agronomical practices organized by the African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) in villages of Chitekete, Lengo, and Makukwe in Mtwara in November 2021, where five groups of more than 80 farmers attended the session.

The African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) visited Ghana in order to embark on the integration of AKILIMO in the country. Ghana Cassava Centre of Excellence (GCCE) was the point of contact through which ACAI linked up with existing private, non-profit, and government institutions as well as international NGOs that can integrate AKILIMO into their operations in Ghana. Discussions have been ongoing since 2020 via virtual meetings; physical meetings could not take place because of the COVID 19 pandemic.

As one of the ACAI digital partners, ESOKO conducted TOT training for ACAI partners on how to use the ACAI mini projectors to train cassava farmers employing the use of the innovative video training KPLUS App. The

Radio, when coupled with other information Communication technology (ICT) like mobile phones, is noted as an effective tool helping farmers to make informed decisions that support the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies as the users get opportunities to voice out

The African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) project scientists demonstrated AKILIMO tools to cassava stakeholders and how they help to increase cassava productivity during the Dar es salaam International Trade Fair famously known as ‘Sabasaba exhibition’ in Dar es salaam Tanzania.

The African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) that is under the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has continued to disseminate AKILIMO technologies to cassava growers in Kibaha district so that to promote cassava cultivation and increase farmers’ incomes.

The Ogun State Agro Inputs Dealers Association (OGSAIDA) at her maiden Quarterly Assembly held on the 17th of July, 2021 at Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Federal Secretariat Abeokuta, Ogun State.

To ensure more women participate fully in AKILIMO dissemination events, The ACAI team called on women from regions of Mtwara, Tanga, Mara, and Mwanza at their locations to discuss together the challenges they face that seemed like the main reason for their low participation. ACAI organized these meetings in May 2021, to assess why women’s participation is so low compared to men to improve gender integration on use, uptake, and sustainability of AKILIMO.

The stakeholders 2-days workshop organized by African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) held in Lagos came to an end on Thursday, July 2021 with several stakeholders in attendance such as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Sasakawa African Association (SG2000), Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Notore Chemical Industries, Centre for Inclusive Agriculture & Gender Development (CIA-GED), Cedro Royal Limited, National Agriculture and Extension Liaison Services (NAERLS), and other key stakeholders in the agriculture sector have called for the adoption of ‘AKILIMO’, smart agriculture, to boost cassava production in Nigeria.