By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu, is joining forces with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) for the improvement of Africa’s food security.
Sharubutu, is therefore joining the Board of Trustees (BoTs) of AATF as representative of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The confirmation was made in a statement issued by Mr. Alex Abutu, AATF Communication Officer for West and Central Africa said the admission of Sharubutu, was based on the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Mohammad Mahmoud Abubakar.
In a letter acknowledging the nomination and confirming his acceptance, Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director said “AATF is pleased to note the nomination of Sharubutu to the AATF Board of Trustees and looks forward to a fruitful collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. AATF avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development the assurance of its highest consideration.
AATF, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya was founded in 2003 to address Africa’s food security prospects through agricultural technology, AATF believes that the agricultural sector is a key foundational pillar as Africa consolidates its economic growth and carves out its new position as a major global economic powerhouse and the next growth market in the world.
The body was formed in response to the need for an effective mechanism that would facilitate and support negotiation for technology access and delivery and formation of appropriate partnerships to manage the development and deployment of innovative technologies for use by smallholder farmers in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA):
AATF is active in 23 countries of East, Southern and West Africa, currently addressing challenges bedeviling key staples in SSA that include maize, rice, cassava, cowpeas, bananas and potatoes.
AATF also has the ultimate goal of transforming livelihoods through innovative agricultural technologies to improve incomes and improve food and nutrition security in Africa South of the Sahara.
Prof. Garba Sharubutu, was appointed the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), in 2019. He was former Provost of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology.
He obtained his DVM degree from Ahamadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in 1986, a Masters of Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc) degree from U.I. in 1992 and a Ph.D from Usman Dan Fodiyo University Sokoto in 2002.
In 1986/87 he received the President’s NYSC National Honors award for the year as the best Corps member.
He started his working carer with the Federal Livestock Department from where he moved to Usman Dan Fodiyo University as Assistant Lecturer in 1991 and progressed to the rank of a professor in 2005 focusing on Infectious Diseases of Livestock and Reproductive Diseases.
Signed: Alex Abutu, Communication Officer (West and Central Africa) AATF.