A distinguished team of researchers from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile–Ife successfully secured the prestigious USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture Award, to be implemented in collaboration with the University of California, Davis, United States of America.

This pioneering project, one of the three awarded to researchers in West Africa, is valued at $460,599. The project is focused on empowering youth to cultivate indigenous fruits and vegetables. The project integrates cutting-edge climate-smart agronomic practices, sustainable soil health through soil amendment, and expert seed production and management for optimal yields. The youth empowerment project promises to be gender sensitive.

Dr. Atanda Oladejo of the Department of Crop Production and Protection at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife is the lead investigator of this 42 months project.  Co-investigators include Drs. Cornelius Atere and Victoria Tanimonure from the Faculty of Agriculture, and Michael Awoleye from the Faculty of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University. International collaborators include Drs. Idowu and Abiodun Atoloye from Utah State University, Logan, United States.

First row: from left to right: Drs Awoleye, Atere, and Oladejo (Principal Investigator). Second row: from left to right: Drs Tanimonure, Atoloye Abiodun and Atoleye Idowu

The project includes the establishment of the screen house and administrative hub for the project at the university. The visionary leadership of Dr. Erin McGuire from UC Davis, the global project leader, played a pivotal role in steering this initiative toward success.The overarching objective of this transformative project is to enhance diet diversity, improve nutrition outcomes, and alleviate unemployment in targeted areas across Nigeria.

For more information about the project, visit: https://horticulture.ucdavis.edu/project/engaging-youths-production-indigenous-vegetables-and-fruits-nigeria