The Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano, Professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed, has strengthened the Centre’s international collaboration efforts through his participation in the 2025 China–Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum, held in Wuhan, China.
The high-level forum convened global leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators to deepen cooperation between China and Africa in agricultural development and technological advancement.
It provided a strategic platform for CDA to expand its global footprint and reinforce partnerships crucial to addressing food security challenges in Africa’s dryland regions.
During the opening ceremony, keynote speakers delivered insightful presentations on cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions targeting food insecurity, climate change adaptation, and socio-economic development.
These discussions set the tone for a week of productive engagements aimed at transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape.
A major highlight of Professor Gaya’s participation was the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading Chinese agricultural institutions.
The agreements pave the way for joint research on staple crops such as rice, maize, sorghum, sesame, and soybean key commodities for ensuring food security in Nigeria and across the West African drylands.
The collaborations also reflect a shared commitment to improving agricultural productivity through modern breeding technologies.
As part of the forum activities, Professor Gaya and other delegates visited prominent research and innovation centres in Wuhan Province, including Good-Seed Technology Co. Ltd, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the Wuhan National Agricultural Innovation Center, Hubei University, and the Hubei Innovation and Technology Center.
The visits facilitated valuable exchanges on hybrid seed development, technology transfer mechanisms, and opportunities for collaborative research.
In addition, Professor Gaya secured a wide range of improved seed varieties, including vegetables, legumes, and cereals such as tomato, pepper, eggplant, sorghum, soybean, and maize.
These seeds will be evaluated at the CDA Teaching and Research Farm as part of ongoing crop improvement efforts and future varietal development initiatives.
By representing CDA at the forum, Professor Gaya significantly enhanced the Centre’s international visibility and forged sustainable partnerships with immense potential for advancing agricultural innovation in dryland regions.
He noted that the engagements opened new pathways for collaboration, capacity development, and knowledge sharing—critical elements for transforming agricultural practices in Africa.
The China–Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum continues to serve as a vital bridge, connecting African institutions such as CDA with global research networks committed to driving agricultural growth, resilience, and food security.