Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM) is partnering with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, on two key initiatives—the Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Delivery in Africa (AVISA) project and the Seed Equal Project (SEP). These collaborations aim to enhance crop varieties, making them more resilient to climate change.
During the university’s 26th to 31st Joint Convocation Ceremonies, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Itodo highlighted that the initiative is designed to develop and distribute improved crop varieties with high genetic gain. The goal is to ensure farmers, particularly women and vulnerable groups, have equitable access to climate-resilient, market-preferred, and nutritionally superior crops.
Prof. Isaac Itodo stated that these projects have reinforced JOSTUM’s collaboration with other institutions to produce foundation and certified seeds for improved cowpea and soybean varieties.
Through the university’s seed system project, early-generation seeds (EGS) of these enhanced crops are now being developed.
He further explained that the initiatives have played a key role in identifying emerging private seed companies, which are being supported to scale up seed production and sustain the progress achieved.
Addressing misconceptions about JOSTUM’s transition from the University of Agriculture Makurdi in 2017, Prof. Itodo clarified that the name change did not alter its status as a specialized agricultural institution.
He emphasized that the university remains committed to agricultural education, with six out of its eleven colleges dedicated to agriculture and related disciplines.
Prof. Isaac Itodo explained that in 2017, the Federal Government renamed the university from the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) to Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM).
However, the legal framework governing the institution remained unchanged.
He noted that over 70% of the university’s resources are allocated to its agricultural colleges, reinforcing JOSTUM’s role as a Centre of Excellence in agriculture. While agriculture remains its core focus, the university also offers other academic programs that serve the needs of communities within its catchment area.
“This aligns with the university’s vision to play a key role in national and global human resource development in agriculture, science, engineering, and technology (ASET) to drive economic growth,” he stated.
Prof. Itodo also highlighted JOSTUM’s strong partnerships with various national and international organizations, which have facilitated progress in multiple areas aligned with its mandate.
One such collaboration, with Kirkhouse Trust SCIO, UK, spanned from 2010 to 2023 and funded the establishment of the Molecular Biology Laboratory and research on genetic improvements in cowpea.
This partnership led to ten advancements, including the development and release of four high-yielding, Striga- and Alectra-resistant cowpea varieties (FUAMPEA 1, 2, 3, and 4). These varieties, listed in the Nigeria and West Africa Seed Catalogue, are now cultivated across cowpea-producing regions in Nigeria, Ghana, and Niger Republic.
