Today marks one year since the appointment of Dr. Mohammed Ndagi Ishaq as the Executive Director of the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, a year that has redefined visionary leadership, institutional reform and agricultural innovation.
In just twelve months, Dr. Ishaq has set a new benchmark for progress, driving bold initiatives and delivering tangible results despite serious funding challenges. His leadership has brought renewed hope to the NCRI community, strengthened national and international partnerships and positioned the Institute as a hub for demand-driven, climate-smart agricultural research.
🌾 Landmark Achievements in the First Year
1. Pioneering Agricultural Innovation
* Release of 12 new improved crop varieties to boost productivity, resilience and farmer incomes:
* Rice (6): FARO 69, FARO 70, FARO 71, FARO 72, ADV 8200, Swarna 2
* Beniseed (2): NCRIBEN 06E, NCRIBEN 07E
* Soybean (2): NCRISOY 5M, NCRISOY 6M
* Castor (2): NCRICAS 3, NCRICAS 4
* Scaled up production of high-quality breeder and foundation seeds across major ecologies.
2. Strengthening Research and Institutional Capacity
* Convened the first Strategic Scientific Retreat since 1985, charting a roadmap for climate-smart, demand-driven research.
* Restructured manpower for professional efficiency.
* Furnished research and administrative blocks to enhance work efficiency.
* Supplied laptops for researchers, ICT staff, administrative and account officers.
* Supplied laboratory equipment to boost tissue culture and other laboratory experiments.
3. Infrastructure and Community Development
* Constructed processing shades/drying slabs for research programs.
* Gave a facelift to a security outpost at the headquarters.
* Reconstructed the Sachi broken bridge/culvert as part of NCRI’s corporate social responsibility, easing transport for staff and the host communities.
4. Staff Welfare and Motivation
* Re-introduced staff bus service for easier commuting.
* Personally repaired an abandoned coaster bus with his own funds and fueled it for four months before instituting a modest staff contribution plan.
* Engaged professional cleaning services to maintain a hygienic work environment.
5. Stakeholder and Community Engagement
* Restored trust with host communities, reclaiming encroached NCRI lands.
* Strengthened collaboration with national and international partners including JICA, AfricaRice, HarvestPlus, Value Seed, Premium Seeds, NASC, ICS–CAAS (China), BRRI (Bangladesh), Advanta Enterprise Ltd, IITA, and others.
* Facilitated local and international stakeholder meetings, workshops and farmer training programs.
6. Public Image and Visibility
* Repositioned NCRI’s public image through proactive media engagement, strategic outreach events and recognition of staff excellence.
🌟 Looking Ahead
This anniversary is not only a celebration of what has been achieved, but a reaffirmation of the journey ahead.
As the Institute looks ahead, the foundations laid in the past year will serve as springboards for greater breakthroughs in crops research, extension services, policy influence and farmer empowerment.
The NCRI family also acknowledges with gratitude the unwavering support of His Excellency, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON; the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON; the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, TPL Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban and the Chairman of the NCRI Governing Board, Prince Sunday Fagbemi. Their steadfast commitment to agricultural research and national food security has been instrumental in strengthening NCRI’s mandate and driving its transformation agenda.