Breaking News: FG releases ten seed varieties

 

The Federal Government (FG) Varietal Release Committee (VRC) now chaired by Prof. Olusoji Olufajo has officially registered and released about (10) seed varieties from wheat, maize and potato for more food productivity towards economic empowerment of farmers with food surplus to Nigerians.

This VRC official approval for ten (10) seed varieties was based on the recommendation of the Technical Sub Committee (TSC) on crops today at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) having met all the set scientific standards. 

Among the seed varieties approved by the new chairman, Prof. Olusoji Olufajo and his committee members include four wheat, two maize and four potato from three different mandated research institutes.

The four (4) wheat varieties according to the committee chairman comprised of two bread improved seeds and two other types called Durum that is good for pasta, from Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) in partnership with International Wheat Improvement Centre and Flour Millings Association of Nigeria (FMAN).

Registered wheat varieties include LACRIWHIT 14 with old name BORLAUG100 and LACRIWHIT15 formally called NELOKI.

The other Durum varieties are LACRIWHIT  16D with old name CRINO and LACRIWHIT 17D also known as BAYORECA with high potential of pasta to make maroconi and spaghetti for home consumption.

All the four wheat varieties approved were heat tolerant, high yield in flour and quality.

The two (2) synthetic maize seed varieties presented for approval was detailed as "ARTMAZ01 and ARTMAZ02 from International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan and Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moorplantation"

Other four potato varieties that were approved for release based on their late blight resistance, high dry matter, high yield and good for table was brought by National Root Crops Research Institute ( NRCRI) Umudike, Nigeria and International Potato Centre, Lima, Peru.

They were KYAU, BABBAN, JURIYA and UNICA which are all names coined by farmers because of their acceptability for table, sustainability for french fries and suitability for crisps.