Cassava farm
HarvestPlus, the organisation leading global effort to end hidden
hunger, has given an award to Dr Alfred Dixon, known by his peers as
“Dr. cassava,” and currently Project Leader for the Cassava Weed
Management Project/Head, Project Coordination Office at the
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in recognition
of his outstanding performance towards the rapid development of
provitamin A cassava varieties in Nigeria.
The award was given to Dixon during the HarvestPlus- organised annual
crop meeting held in Abuja 22-23 September. The organisation also
honored one of its own, Dr. Wolfgang Pfeiffer, Deputy Director
(Operations), HarvestPlus. IITA Cassava Breeder, Dr. Peter Kulakow; and
the Executive Director, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI)
Umudike , Dr. J.C. Okonkwo, also clinched awards.
Dixon, a Cassava Breeder, started his career as a Postdoctoral Fellow
at IITA (1989―1990), an Associate Scientist (1991―1994), a Scientist
in Cassava Breeding/Genetics (1994―2008). He had a break and
returned as Project Leader, Cassava Weed Management Project/ Head,
Project Coordination Office (2013-present). In his career with IITA,
Dixon led the development of over 300 improved cassava varieties most of
which were introduced to over 30 countries in Africa and helped the
continent to increase production. Dixon also pioneered the development
of provitamin A cassava varieties. In reference to the contribution of
Dixon, Pfeiffer referred to him as “being instrumental to the
development of yellow cassava varieties that are agrononomically
superior.”
In 2008, Dixon left IITA to serve as the pioneer Director General of
the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), Freetown,
Sierra Leone. He had worked at the Crop Science Department, Njala
University College, University of Sierra Leone as a Research and
Teaching Assistant (1981―1982), Graduate Research Assistant
(1985―1988), and a Postdoctoral Research Associate (1988―1989) with
the Sorghum Breeding Project of the Department of Agronomy, Kansas State
University in Manhattan, Kansas, USA.
Dixon is a team player and has trained, inspired, and mentored more
than 300 national scientists and technicians to add value to the food
security drive of governments to ensure food security. Most of his
trainees are today in leadership positions. He is often referred to as
the “Father of Cassava in Africa.” In recognition of his contribution to
the development of the cassava sector in Nigeria, he was awarded a
traditional chieftaincy title in Nigeria.
Dixon has published more than 200 articles in international journals.
He holds a PhD in Agronomy (1988), an MSc in Genetics (1985) from Kansas
State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA; and a BSc in Agriculture
(1981) from Njala University College, University of Sierra Leone, Sierra
Leone.
Other stakeholders honored at the event were farmers and processors.
They included Pius Ojoawo (JDPM Oyo), Mrs. Rachael Afolabi (SAWEC),
Mr. Abiodun Akinbode (OYSADEP), Mr. Emmanuel Nnabuihe (Development
Dynamics), Mrs. Ego Amaeke (Forward Africa), Uwen Ita Etuk (AKSU), Barr
Eliel Isaac (AKADEP), Matilda Inyang (HEMADEP), Mr. Micheal Nse Ita
(JDPC Uyo), Mr. Boniface Eyimoga (NOA), Mr. Daniel Akase (BNARDA), and
Mrs. Biishi Mnena (RAPAC).
