IARSAF discusses global agricultural intensification during their journal club meeting
The International Association of Research Scholars and Fellows (IARSAF) held the February edition of its monthly journal review on 23 February at IITA HQ, to discuss and review research work carried out by research scholars and scientists in the Institute, and work towards incorporating some of the knowledge and ideas acquired into their ongoing research activities for better impact.
IARSAF Journal Club members in a discussion.
Tunde Opeyemi Osundare, a PhD research fellow from the Genetic Resources Center, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, presented a review of Michael Abberton’s work titled, “Global agricultural intensification during climate change: a role for genomics.” Osundare noted that agriculture is now facing the “perfect storm” of climate change, increasing costs of fertilizer, and rising food demand from a larger and wealthier population. These factors will lead to global food shortages unless crop production levels are increased. Thus, agricultural development should focus on improving production under enhanced conditions with significant agronomic inputs.
Welcoming members, the seminar coordinator, Moses Selumun Anzenge of IITA Weed Science, thanked and encouraged members, saying: “Learning is a continuous process and the journal club meeting is an avenue for fellows to contribute and query different research carried out by scientists across the board and view how it relates to their various ongoing research work.”
While making contributions after the presentation, members discussed the various roles genomics has on the changing climatic situation. They believe that a new agricultural paradigm is required to reduce dependence on high inputs and increase crop diversity, yield stability, and environmental resilience. They concluded that more research needs to be done to breed crops that can adapt and be resistant to these environmental challenges.
