US Agric Envoy visits NIHORT, promises economic pally for horticulture

The United States of America (USA) head of Agriculture affairs in Nigeria and other two countries in Africa, Dr. Gerald Smith has promised to partner with National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) using genetic engineering to enhance vegetables and fruits production.

The US envoy said this during an official visit on Tuesday to the Idi Ishin location of NIHORT in Ibadan,Oyo State.

Dr. Gerald Smith said that the economic viability of horticultural crops for both countries would be better harnessed through partnership to booster productivity for more commercialization gains in Nigeria through export into the US for foreign exchange earnings.

He promised robust biotechnology support for the commercialization of more horticultural crops through genetic engineering modification just as being done in cowpea with work already going on in maize for farmers to be released next year.  

Smith who also head US Agriculture in Republic of Benin and Cameroon proposed partnership to the management team of NIHORT led by the Executive Director (ED) Dr. Mohammed  Atanda said that the primary purpose of this visit was to initiate  collaboration in tandem the Institute mandates towards more commercialization benefits.  

He stated that ‘’one area we have been involved in has been to provision of robust support in biotechnology. We have supported Nigeria in commercialising Bt cowpea, and we are working with the regulators in Abuja to commercializing Bt corn for farmers next year. We see the area of Biotechnology as a potential area of synergy and collaborative efforts. I will also reach out to your leadership here (NIHORT) to recommend some of the work that you are doing’’

The HIHORT ED, Dr. Attanda in his response expressed delight in the collaboration as he identified areas of possibility saying that ‘’ the institute has human and resources and some equipment and will like to partner with the US on routine testing of food products before export and provision of adequate equipment for the task’’ adding that ‘’ NIHORT is ready to partner with the US on the programme supporting opportunities in the livelihood development in red onions, mushroom and chilli pepper value chains’’

Atanda hammered on the staff training partnership in genetic engineering using biotechnology with US envoy that would facilitate an increase in the availability of improved planting materials for indigenous fruits and vegetables for increased healthy livelihood.