IITA

Established ir 1967, t,le Internationallrstltute of Tropical Agricclture (IITA) was the firs' major African 111k in a network of international agricultural research ard training centers located In rhe developing regions of the world. IITA is an autonomous, non-profit corporation with headquarrers on a 1 ,OOO-hectare experimental farm at Ibadan, Nigeria.

Funding for IITA came initially from the Ford and Rockefeller foundations. The land for the experimental farm was allocated by the Government of the Federal Republic of Niger'a Principal financing has since 1971 been arranged through the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), an informal association of governments, international organizations, and private institutions GO-sponsored by the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAD) of the United Nations, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Objectives The foremost mission olliTA is to ccnduct research on farming systerrs in the r,ulT,id a1d subhumid tropical zones. The general objective is to identify alternatives to shifting or "slash-and-bur1" cult'lvalion that can sustain productivity of food crops under continuous cultivation.

Tre primary commodities in the IITA research program are cassava, maize and cowpeas. In addition, IITA focuses on a smal'er scope of research Q,1 soybeans, yams and plantain

I~ surcmary, IITA aims to:

~ Develop systems for the management and oQ,1servati01 of natural resources whicl can sustain agricultural deve;opment in the humid and subhumid tropical zones.

~ Increase the productivity of selected food cr8ps with a view to integrating them into improved production systems.

~ Irnprove post-harvest tecrnologies and Ihe utilization Df agricultural products in both rural and urban areas

~ Strengthen national agricultural research capacities for development and use of new technologies in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in West and Central African countries, by means of training, information and ether services.

Training Program

Aims

Contents

Areas of Research

Graduate Research

Vacation Student Research

Group Courses

Colleagues on Campus

Research Facilities

Support Facilities

Living at IITA

Recreation

How to Appty

Donors' Rote

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inside back page

back page

IITA offers several degree-related and non­degree-related training programs in research

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Train ing Program

The training program is one of IITA's principal means of achieving "transfer of technology' in agriculture from international to national levels. Training can help in building national capabilities for agricultural research and food production in Africa, by increasing the corps of competent research workers for the humid and subhumid tropics.

IITA offers several degree-related and non-degree-related training programs in research. The effectiveness of these programs is testified by the fact that many former participants are staff members of regional, national, international. and state agencies and are leaders in agricultural research and education throughout Africa and other parts of the world .

This booklet provides information on the various training opportunities at IITA.

Aims

The main objective of the IITA training program is the development of human resources in agricultural research in

tropical countries, particularly in Africa, in order to enable indigenous scientists and technicians to solve food

production problems themselves.

IITA seeks to enhance the role of women in agricultural research , and makes a special effort to promote enrolmenl of

women in its training courses.

Training activities are designed to contribute to the participants' professional goals, 10 national programs, and to

IITA. Train ing increases the number of qualified research workers for nalional programs, and the Irainees serve to

enhance the research output of IITA through their participalion in projects during and after training. In

addition, through continuing contact with the alumni of the training program, IITA keeps in close touch with agricultural

problems of the lropics. The underslanding so gained ensures thai research addresses real problems and ultimalely translates into real benefits for sub-Saharan Africa and olher

tropical developing areas.

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IITA seeks to enhance the role of women in

agricultural research

Training includes "hands-on" field and laboratory wolle

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Areas of research

Participants range from agricultural diploma holders to graduates with advanced degrees. Their training includes "hands-on" field and laboratory work and problem-solving applied research. Participants have opportunities to work and study under the guidance of senior scientists in the following areas of research, which are related to specific food crops of the humid and subhumid tropics.

Agricultural economics/rural sociology Entomology/insect ecology Genetic resources conservation Agroclimatology Cropping systems Plant breeding Plant physiology Soil chemistry Soil microbiology Virology

Agronomy Nematology Plant pathology Post-harvest technology Soil fertility Soil physics Weed science

Research activity is focused chiefly on (a) resource and crop management, and (b) the food crops of cassava, cowpea, maize, soybean, yam and plantain.

Training is also offered in research support services such as laboratory techniques, library science and documentation,

editing and publication, and others.

Three types of tra ining are offered: 1. Graduate research (MSc/PhD). 2. Vacation student research. 3. Group

courses.

In addition to the formal program, graduate students and course participants have opportunities to broaden their

knowledge of agricultural research through exposure to the varied activities of an international organization. They have

access to the library and documentation center, and they attend seminars, conferences, and symposia held at ItTA and

the nearby University of Ibadan.

Graduate research Candidates must be in the process of completing their course work at a reputable university, anywhere in the world , and be

planning to conduct research in an African environment. Before they can be conSidered, candidates must have decided

on a research project that meets the approval of their university and of an IITA scientist. The research normally

takes place at IITA or one of its substations. A graduate research appOintment at IITA does not normalty exceed one

year at MSc level and two years at PhD level.

A limited number of MSc and PhD research fellowships are available at anyone time. They are normalty offered to

students from sub-Saharan Africa, in particular from the countries of West and Central Africa.

Applicants who are not seeking an IITA fellowsh ip can be considered for a graduate research appointment if they have

already secured financial support which covers their research work at IITA and the course work of their degree elsewhere.

Applicants should write directly to the address given on the back page, and enclose a letter of recommendation from their

university supervisor as well as two other letters of support from professors of the same university.

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Training Is also offered In ftIStIarch support

serrlellS

A numbe, of MSc and PhD ftIStIarch

fellowships are aral/able at anyone

time

IITA has a unique research training program. Those selected will work on a project during their final long vacation

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Vacation student research

For participants who are within one year of completing a first degree course at a university, IITA has a unique research training program. This program started with Nigerian universities but has been extended to university-level schools of agriculture in other African countries.

Deans of agriculture are invited to nominate outstanding students for this program. Financial support should be secured before commencement of Ihe research. Those selected wilt work on a project during thei r final long vacalion as undergraduates, usualty from three to four months. A small number of scholarships are available.

This program has yielded benefits of several kinds. Young people in Africa with potential as research scientists have

been identified and motivated in this direction. In the past, many of them have returned to liT A for postgraduate research,

and others have become staff members of universities and agricultural agencies.

Group courses Announcements are sent out twice yearly, about special

subject maHer courses organized by IITA for groups of up to 30 participants and lasting for various lengths of time. The

courses are designed for senior agricultural technicians, research workers, and trainers of technical and research staff

whose work concerns such crops as cassava, cowpea, maize, soybean, yam, and plantain. In addition, courses are offered

on such subjects as alley farming , soil and plant analysis, seed technology, weed science, human nutrition and

utilization of food crops, and others. Most courses are conducted in English and French. Candidates are usually

nominated and sponsored by their employer or a development organization. Candidates are also identified by

IITA research liaison scientists in cooperation with national agricultural research systems of West and Central Africa.

Courses are carefully planned to ensure a balance between lectures, hands-on laboratory work, field work and problem­

solving applied research.

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Courses are carefully planned to ensure a

balance between lectures and hands-on

laboratory 1II0rlr

There are approximately 55 sCientists, some of whom are among the internationally top­ranking specialists In their respective fields

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Colleagues on Campus

The research staff includes approximately 55 scientists, some of whom are among the internationally top-ranking specialists in their respective fields. Supplementing this collection of experts are visiting scientists from various parts of the world. Many of the scientists are relatively young with diverse backgrounds, providing an excellent opportunity for trainees to broaden their knowledge and views in a congenial working environment.

Research Faci I ities

lraining participants have access to extensive, modern research facilities at lilA, including:

Research stations. More than 300 hectares of land have been developed for research on the main lilA campus at

lbadan. A research station of 80 hectares lies in the high­rainfall , humid coastal zone at Onne, Nigeria. Another

research station is located in the People's Republic of B~nin . One substation is planned for a high rainfall area and another in the moist savanna, in different countries of West or Central

Africa.

laboratories. Well-equipped laboratories at lilA provide excellent opportunities for participants to become familiar

with the use of modern research technology.

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MOle than 300 hectales of land have been

developed fOI research on the main lirA campus

at Ibadan

Much of the library collection can be accessed through an on­line, computerized, bibliographic service

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Controlled environments. Greenhouses. screenhouses. photoperiod chambers, and growth chambers make possible the study of plant growth under a variety of controlled conditions.

Library services. liT A has a modern library and documentation center. Much of the library collection can be accessed through an on-line, computerized, bibliographic service. The collection comprises 31 000 books, 7 000 reports, 4 500 microfiches, microfilms, 900 current periodicals and 33 000 back volumes, including many French language scientific publications. In addition, the nearby University of Ibadan offers a wide range of resources on non-agricultural subjects.

Support Facilities

The physical planl services department enables liT A to be largely self-sufficient for minor construction work on campus,

maintenance of buildings, vehicles, farm equipment, and laboratories. Standby facilities for water and electricity

supply also exist.

Medical clinic. IITA has a medical clinic with two lull­time, highly qualified physicians and several nurses.

Living at IITA

living in an international community is, in itself, an education. Graduate students and course participants are housed in hostels with single or double occupancy on the liT A campus, where they associate with people Irom many

nations around the world.

Participants eat at the International House, which has a cafeteria, snack bar, private dining room, lounge, and

television room.

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Students are able to associate with people

from many nations around the world

Numerous facilities are available on campus for recreation during free time

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Graduate research fellows may apply to bring their families. Simple accommodation is assigned to them when possible. Group course participants and vacation students may not bring family members with them because of the limited facilities.

Recreation

All graduate students and course partiCipants are automatically members of the International Club. Numerous facilities are available on campus for recreation during free time - tennis and ping pong, swimming, squash, badminton, volleyball , golf, billiards and fishing. A limited amount of sports equipment is available. Video films are shown twice weekly in English, and French films provided by the Alliance Francaise are shown, usually once per week.

How to apply

Prospective candidates are encouraged to seek nomination through their own organization (a university, ministry of

agriculture, research institute, or private agency) or through one of IITA "outreach" scientists attached to a national

agricultural research system in sub-Saharan Atrica.

Prospective candidates should prepare and send a detailed resume or curriculum vitae. Those interested in a graduate

research appointment should send a research proposal of up to 10 pages Candidates who meet the requirements are sent

application forms. Before final appointments are made, candidates must take medical examinations to certify that they

are in good health.

All queries about applications, tuition and living costs, stipends and other aspects of training should be addressed

to:

Director of Training International Institute of

Tropical Agriculture Dyo Road, PMB 5320 Ibadan NIGERIA

OR Director of Training International Institute at

Tropical Agriculture c/o L. W Lambourn & Co. Carolyn House 26 Dingwall Road Croydon CR9 3EE ENGLAND

IITA will send a letter of notification as soon as the candidate is selected for appointment to a graduate research or research training position, or for admission to a course. The letter will

state the basic conditions of appointment or admission. It should be kept for further reference.

Nigerian entry visa. Visas are required for entry into Nigeria by non-Nigerians who are not citizens of ECDWAS countries. The IITA letter of appointment will indicate the

procedure for obtaining an entry visa. Visas are not granted at Nigerian international airports Application for a visa

should be made at the Nigerian Embassy serving the country where the applicant resides, as early as possible, and should

be accompanied by the IITA letter of appointment

DONORS' ROLE

Universities and governmental and international agencies are encouraged to provide funds to cover the costs of training at IITA. The preferred arrangement for the financing of any type of training is for the supporting organization to make a grant to IITA.

By making outright grants to IITA for the training program, private and governmental organizations and interested individuals can contribute significantly to the quality and quantity of tropical agricultural research for the developing countries of Africa.

All correspondence about providing grants for training in general or for individual trainees should be addressed to:

Director General

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

c/o LW. Lambourn & Co.

Carolyn House

26 Dingwall Road

Croydon CR9 3EE

ENGLAND