IITA International school student champions sustainable agriculture in Akinyele

In an inspiring display of leadership, innovation, and community spirit, 11-year-old Joshua Ayankanmi, a grade five student of the International School of IITA, led a special outreach to Akinyele Local Government, Moniya, on 19 June. The initiative, organized as part of Joshua’s Primary Years Programme (PYP) Project Exhibition, focused on the critical theme of sustainable agriculture.

Joshua planted vegetables in his school garden during his project year. He sold them to purchase improved planting materials to support farmers. Accompanied by his father, mentor, teachers, and classmates, Joshua engaged 20 smallholder farmers in the area. He shared insights on sustainable agricultural practices, explaining how good farming practices can protect the environment, conserve resources, and promote healthy crops and soils.

Joshua continued, “I did not do this alone. My mentor, parents, teachers, classmates, and the IITA community helped me. The Maize and Cassava Breeding Units of IITA contributed greatly to augmenting the provision of these planting materials for you, our esteemed farmers.” Following this, he distributed improved planting materials—cassava, maize, and plantain suckers—to these farmers.

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