The global fight against hunger continues. Despite advances, hunger and food insecurity have increased since 2015. Obafemi Awolowo University addresses this in Nigeria through innovation, community engagement, and research-backed interventions. Since the Vitamin A cassava program began, over 1,000 farmers have participated, achieving a 30% average yield increase. This results in an additional month of food supply per household, or over 60 extra school lunches per year. Initial assessments indicate a 20% increase in Vitamin A levels among participating households.

Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP): A Ground-Up Approach

At the heart of OAU’s response is the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP). This isn’t just another academic project; it’s a boots-on-the-ground initiative that connects university research directly with the rural communities that need it most. A hallmark of this program is its participatory research ethic, where local farmers play an integral role not just as recipients but as active contributors. For example, during a recent community workshop, farmers actively engaged in shaping the trial design process by providing input on which crop traits were most beneficial for their specific environments, ensuring that the research outcomes closely align with their unique needs. This collaboration exemplifies the ground-up approach of the IRDP, making it a truly inclusive and community-driven model.

A recent distribution of Vitamin A biofortified cassava in Iyanfoworogi saw excited farmers receiving new stems. Olajide, a local farmer, shared, “When I saw the stems, I felt a new hope for my family and for our harvest this season.” This initiative provided farmers with a genuine opportunity to transform their livelihoods.

Why Biofortified Cassava?

Cassava is a staple food for millions of Nigerians. However, traditional varieties are low in essential nutrients, especially Vitamin A, a deficiency of which can lead to weakened immune systems, blindness, and increased child mortality.

The IRDP, in collaboration with crop scientists and nutrition experts at IITA, has introduced Vitamin A biofortified cassava. This game-changing variety retains all the caloric value of cassava but significantly enhances its nutritional impact. This new variety can deliver up to 8,000 micrograms of Vitamin A per 100 grams compared to the conventional cassava, which typically contains negligible amounts. Such a difference marks a substantial improvement in addressing Vitamin A deficiencies in communities relying on cassava as a staple.

Community-Led, Research-Fueled

This isn’t a top-down project. Local farmers are engaged at every level, from training on how to plant and manage the improved variety to processing it into garri, fufu, and other regional staples.

The Iyanfoworogi project shows the impact of blending science with local knowledge. Farmers contribute to adapting techniques for their specific soil and conditions, shaping planting density and irrigation to achieve better results. This empowers them to make decisions benefiting the community.

Collaboration That Sticks

IRDP’s staying power comes from clear roles, shared incentives, and local leadership handoffs. Farmers’ associations sit at the center of planning: they map demand, set fair distribution criteria, nominate lead farmers, and publish pre-season calendars for trainings and stem pick-ups. Women’s groups then carry the baton in processing and market entry, standardizing hygiene and packaging, managing small equipment pools, and coordinating sales to schools and local markets, so fortified garri and flour actually reach the households that need them.

Community leaders secure land for demonstrations, align training with local events, and mediate resource sharing. Researchers and agents teach practical steps and document lessons, while youth volunteers support field days, data collection, and run alerts for pest monitoring.

Upstream, partners like IITA ensure continuity and quality by supplying clean, improved planting materials on time, while IRDP’s basic quality assurance checks maintain vigor and varietal identity through multiplication. To ensure long-term sustainability, the program establishes local seed banks and farmer-led training sessions that empower communities to take ownership of the initiative. As a result, farmers are equipped to manage their resources effectively even after initial support phases out, fostering an independent, sustainable agricultural system that continues to improve cassava production from multiplication to meals year after year.

Women and Nutrition: A Powerful Link

In many households, women are the primary food producers and caregivers. The IRDP recognizes this and ensures that women farmers are central to the project, not just in farming, but in value addition and distribution. By engaging in the processing and marketing of Vitamin A biofortified cassava products, women have not only advanced their nutritional impact but also seen increases in household income. Many women have taken on leadership roles within their communities, managing cooperative efforts and spearheading sales initiatives, which has further reinforced their critical role in the economic ecosystem. By empowering rural women with nutrient-rich crops and the know-how to cultivate and promote them, OAU is tackling hunger where it starts: in the household.

From Campus to Community: A Replicable Model

What makes this initiative even more powerful is its scalability. The model used in Iyanfoworogi can be replicated in other communities. To successfully replicate this model, several key elements must be in place, such as the following:

• Strong partnerships with agricultural research institutions like IITA.
• Adequate funding to support training and infrastructure development.
• Comprehensive training programs for local farmers and community leaders.

It’s not about dropping aid and walking away. It’s about building self-sustaining systems where people grow what they eat, eat what they produce, and become healthier in the process.