Agriculture
NACGRAB: midwifing a food secured Nigeria through biotechnology
There is an area in the city of Ibadan, South-West Nigeria called Moor Plantation, named after a Colonial British High Commissioner, Sir Ralph Moor.
This location which is one of the oldest agricultural stations in Nigeria, could be referred to as the hub of agricultural institutions, research outfits, as well as agriculture education and training, in the ancient city.
In order to grow cotton to feed the British Textile Mills in 1905, the British Cotton Growers Association acquired 10.
35 square kilometres of land at the site known today as Moor Plantation.Five years later, in 1910, Moor Plantation had become the headquarters of the Department of Agriculture in Southern Nigeria.
It is also home to the first college of agriculture in the country and the whole of West Africa, the Federal College of Agriculture, formerly School of Agriculture, established in 1921.
Nestled comfortably in a serene section of Moor Plantation is the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB).
NACGRAB was established in 1987 by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
Its mandate is to collect and conserve valuable genetic resources for food and agriculture and ensure that they are used sustainably.
NACGRAB is host to the National Varieties Release Committee (NVRC), as the agency serves as the committee’s secretariat.
The NVRC is responsible for scrutiny, registration, approval, and release of crop and animal varieties submitted to it by agricultural scientists, plant and animal breeders, seed companies, and research institutes among others.
The work of the committee is facilitated by NACGRAB with the required manpower and technology on and off the field to ensure its objectives and goal are actualized.
Dr Sunday Aladele, the Registrar of NVRC is also the Director of NACGRAB, at present.
In the last three years (December 2019 to January 2022) the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology released a total of 76 high yield crop varieties to Nigerian farmers through the NACGRAB based committee.
This regular release of high yield crop varieties, is to boost agriculture, make food available at cheaper rates, ensure bumper harvest at short intervals, and attain the desirable level of food security for the Nigerian populace.
A breakdown shows that 11 new crop varieties were released in December 2019, another batch of 18 varieties in December 2020, while 47 varieties were just released in January 2022.
Apart from this number, a cornucopia of other high yield crop varieties have been released during 27 meetings of the committee prior to December 2019.
At the 28th meeting of NVRC in 2019, chairman of the committee, Chief Oladosu Awoyemi said that the 11 varieties mentioned above, were approved for release out of a total of 20 crop varieties initially submitted to the Technical Sub – Committee on Crops for consideration.
Further details were given by the chairman of the crops sub – committee, Prof. Olusoji Olufajo who listed the new hybrid crops varieties as six maize, two castor, two yam, and one cowpea varieties.
Among the criteria used for the release of some of the varieties were, extra earliness and high grain yield, high protein content, high pro-vitamin A content, high yield, and tolerance to multiple stress.
Others were based on high seed yield and large endosperm, high yield, high oil content, early maturity and good oil physicochemical properties, slow rate of oxidation, good taste and high dry matter.
Good processing quality and good taste, resistance to legumes pod borer and early maturity were also taken into consideration before approval and release of some of the 11 varieties.
At the 2020 meeting, which was the 29th in the series, 18 new varieties were approved out of a total of 25 varieties submitted for consideration by research institutions, universities and private seed companies.
The varieties approved for release were two sweet sorghum varieties and four multipurpose cassava varieties.
They also included, one “poundable” cassava variety, two white maize hybrids, one yellow maize variety, and two pro- vitamin A maize varieties.
Others were, one medium maturing top – cross maize variety, two maize hybrids, and three yam varieties.
Apart from the 18 released varieties, two hybrid cotton were only registered by the Committee to serve as refuge for the released Biotechnology Cotton.
The 30th meeting of NVRC in January 2022 was a memorable event as a deluge was witnessed in the number of crops approved for release.
At the occasion, one of the highest if not the highest number of varieties in the history of the NVRC, 47 varieties, were approved for release at a sitting.
The 47 varieties were from a total of 49 varieties earlier submitted to the committee.
The released crop varieties included two rice hybrids, two high protein rich Oat varieties, three Durum wheat varieties, three pro-Vitamin A hybrid cassava, and 19 maize varieties.
It is noteworthy that when plant breeders, seed companies, and scientists come to NACGRAB, they are expected to always submit what is known as the Distinct Uniformity Stability (DUS) requirements of their crop varieties with the crops.
This is being done in order to ensure extra quality of the varieties and for them to meet international standards.
This means that all crop varieties must meet the DUS requirements of being distinct, uniform and stable for acceptance not only in Nigeria but in the West African sub-region.
Developers of crop and animal varieties bringing their samples for approval and release at NACGRAB come from within and outside Nigeria.
They include, the Institute for Agricultural Research, Zaria, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Abuja, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan.
Other developers are, the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, the University of Ilorin, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Ibadan; and Seed Co. Nigeria Ltd.
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Kenya, Bayer Crop Science , Petit, South Africa, and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, Kenya are also among developers of many varieties released so far.
The diverse origin of these plant breeders, scientists, seed companies and researchers is a testimony to the quality and global standard of NACGRAB’s outputs.
The committee is also responsible for the approval and release of animals, fish, and livestock of enhanced breeds.
But, in this area, not much success has been recorded as breeders are not forthcoming with samples and the NVRC can not approve and release what is not presented before it.
However, the committee has been persistent in its call on stakeholders to submit samples of animals, livestock and fishes of improved quality to it for approval and release.
Looking at its consistent activities so far, the NVRC seems to be the foremost committee under the umbrella of NACGRAB that is strategically midwifing the food security goal of the Federal Government for the masses.
This assertion is backed by the fact that high yield crop and animal varieties derived through biotechnology have been identified by many experts, as solutions to global hunger and malnutrition.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that for over 30 years, NACGRAB have really been working tirelessly to boost Nigeria’s agricultural productivity.
Some observers are also of the view that what NACGRAB’s effort, which is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s 9-point agenda, needs; is sustainability. (NANFeatures)
**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has urged the media to stand in the communication gap in favour of biotechnology development n Nigeria, re-affirming the safety in the consumption of genetically modified foods.
Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, affirmed this during a one-day media field trip to NBRDA FARMS on Monday in Abuja.
The trip was organised by Open Forum On Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), an initiative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
“Today, you shall be visiting our TELA Maize farms. This provides an exciting opportunity to see for yourselves what we have been doing here and equally gather your findings on what you have seen today and then take back the message to the people to quell some of the miscommunications about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops.
“TELA Maize hybrid varieties were developed to address some of the pressing challenges facing our farmers, including pests and diseases that can significantly reduce crop yields,” he said.
According to him, the production of the TELA MAIZE hybrid was done through the combined efforts of scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria in collaboration with stakeholders in key institutions such as NBRDA, NBMA, NASC, and the AATF Research Team.
“We are here to showcase our demonstration farms of genetically modified versions of commonly consumed crops developed by our scientists that have enjoyed rave reviews from the global world of science and the agricultural sector.
“These experts have worked tirelessly to ensure that this crop is not only high-yielding but also safe for human consumption,” he added.
He noted that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has been instrumental in ensuring the safety and efficacy of TELA Maize which is believed to have the potential to transform the agricultural landscape in Nigeria and beyond.
Dr Jean Baptiste, the Regional Representative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, said that GMOs were aimed at leveraging the potential of biotechnology to develop a system that will help farmers.
He said Tella maize is a variety, developed using biotechnology methods to control insects.
“It also checks the resistance to drought and controls army worms, and stem borers in maize.
“At the end of the day, the benefits are enormous because it helps farmers increase yield and to be able to meet food security issues.
Dr. Francis Nwankwo, a TELA MAIZE developer from the African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF) explained the processes saying Tela maize passed through a genetic transformation that happens at the DNA level .
“They are not manufactured. What happens is we identify genes that can inhibit the infestation or reduce the infestation of some lepidoptera pests that affect some crops.
“So when we identify those genes we incorporate them into the DNA of maize thereby making it the maize, plus the genes.
“That way we increase the genes and reduce the struggles that our conventional maize go through on our farms like the stem borrower and others,” he said.
In her presentation, Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NBRDA, explained that many countries have derived huge benefits from TELA maize citing countries such as the U.S. and Canada.
“We actually brought you here so you could see the disparities between the TELA MAIZE and the non-TELA MAIZE species, and the environment which is far different from what we see on social media.
“We have other crops like beans that have actually been through the same gene transfers and are doing perfectly well and are safe for consumption,” she said.
She, therefore, urged the media to be on the guard in view of a lot of misinformation going round on social media and take responsibility in providing related information to the public adequately and objectively. (NAN)
Ms Surah Animashaun, the Chairperson, Epe Local Government, has empowered 200 farmers with cash and other agricultural inputs to boost food production in the area.
Animashaun distributed the agricultural inputs to the beneficiaries at the council secretariat in Epe on Thursday in Lagos.
She said the initiative was aimed at supporting farmers in order to boost food production in the various communities of the council.
Animashaun said the farmers who benefitted from the gesture are expected to be considerate in their price fixing after harvest to ensure the affordability of food for all Nigerians.
“With the economic situation now and the support being giving to you, farmers should be reasonable in fixing prices after harvest to ensure that ordinary Nigerians source food at a more convenient price nationwide.
“We are here to give you support for your farming activities today, we expect that you reciprocate tomorrow by selling at a more affordable price to the people tomorrow,’’ she said.
Animashaun explained that each of the benefiting farmers received N50,000 and essential grains such as maize and sorghum.
She said the council would continue to support the farmers for them to be strong in farming activities.
Animashaun also used the medium to highlight her administration’s ongoing efforts in the extension of palliatives to other sectors of the economy.
She urged the communities in the area to maintain harmony, love, hospitality, and compassion, particularly in the face of the present economic challenges.
Also speaking, Mr Sikiru Owolomoshe, the Vice Chairman of the council, urged the farmers to take advantage of the gesture to improve their activities in order to encourage others.
Mr Olayinka Kazeem, the Secretary of Epe Farmers and a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the council chairperson and her management.
“This is the first time we are witnessing this kind of programme and it is coming at a critical period when many states are facing food shortage,’’ he said.
He assured that the beneficiaries would do their best to ensure the objective was achieved.
Mr Ahmed Surakat, the Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Fishermen Cooperative Association, and Mrs Kafilat Animashahun beneficiaries, extended their gratitude to the council chairman for her unwavering support to farmers.
Earlier, the President of the Epe Farmers Union, Mrs Aminat Shabi, lauded Animashaun for the comprehensive support to other agricultural value chain such as fish farmers and livestock producers.(NAN)
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has been described as an appropriate and very effective means of realising food sufficiency and security across the country.
The National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr Aminu Bodinga Mohammed who made the assertion during the 7th Joint World Bank and French Development Agency Implementation Support Mission of RAAMP at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, pointing out that most urban centers derive their supply of food from farms, which are located at the rural communities.
His words: “the primary objective of RAAMP is to improve rural roads and trading infrastructure through to boost food production.
Therefore the successful implementation of this project could go a long way towards guaranteeing food sufficiency and security across the country”.He solicited for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to ensure an all-round success of the project.
Aminu noted that the mission was to evaluate the current implementation status, milestones as well as challenges faced by the 19 states participating in the project and announced that arrangements had reached an advanced stage for the commencement of civil works on agro-logistics centers (ALCs) latest by September, 2024 with 23 major contracts that would be awarded across the states.
ALCs refer to market hubs that have been prioritised for transformation to ultra-modern standards at various locations across the country , notably in rural communities to empower and enhance the livelihoods of the people.
Also speaking, the Task Team Leader of the World Bank, Mr. Rakeesh Tripathi hinted that a scale-up was being mooted for the project but emphasized that only states which must have established and operationalised the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF), backed up with the required standing on counterpart funds would be eligible to access the scale-up funds.
He therefore advised all states to take advantage of the mission and get the needed support to tackle every challenge facing their State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), adding that all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would be encouraged to embrace the scale-up project.
Highpoints of the exercise were presentations by the State Project Coordinators of the respective participating states, question and answer sessions, comments and observations, among other inputs by the stakeholders.
The Task Team Leader of the French Development Agency, AFD; Consultants from the World Bank; the Federal Project Management Unit, FPMU as well as State Project Implementation Units, SPIUs of RAAMP also attended the mission.
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