Global Okra Round table GORT II: How NIHORT is responding to the food security

 The recently held 2nd global conference on okra in Nigeria has unveiled many scientific improvement efforts of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) towards achieving the food security emergency being declared on the agricultural sector by Mr. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In his speech at the Global Okra Round Table (GORT-11), the Executive Director (ED) NIHORT, Professor Muhammad Lawal Attanda, emphasized the nutritional importance of fruits and vegetable crops to food security.

The ED stated that okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is at the forefront of NIHORT's breeding and improvement initiatives as he  affirmed that the commitment to enhancing okra production is driven by the pressing need to address farmers' demands for improved varieties that are resilient to diseases, pests, and environmental stresses. NIHORT, in her efforts, had released okra varieties such as NHOKRA1, which is high-yielding, early maturing with a potential yield of 23.96 ton/ha, and developed others such as LD 88 and NH47-4. Through innovative research methodologies, NIHORT aims to develop additional novel okra cultivars that not only meet market-driven demands but also ensure sustainability in agricultural practices.

Food Farm News’ visits to the sites of the cultivations of breeder and foundation seeds of tomato, okra, amaranth, and pepper in NIHORT headquarters showed the preparedness of the government towards making breeders and foundational seeds available for the private seed companies who will utilize them to produce certified ones for the farmers.

In his address at the conference, the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Sharubutu encouraged stakeholders in the Okra value chain to ensure effective deliberation that can be presented before the national assembly for legal approval for execution. He commended the collaboration between Indian scientists and Nigeria, which had been a tremendous success in the area of training for better breeding improvement and variety generation.

The conference chair and Director, Advanced Training in Plant Breeding, India, Dr. Surinder K. Tikoo, advised that the nutritional advantages of okra should be harnessed and emphasized the need to develop high yielding varieties that would ensure sustainability of the value chain.

The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, noted the declining status of okra production caused by pests and diseases and farmers’ limited economic resources, which is hindering production on a large scale. 

The Minister was represented by the FMAFS director, FDA, horticulture, Mrs. Oje-Imooje Jegbefu who  Presented a statistic that reflected okro productions that is less than 1.8 tons per hectare.

The communiqués issued at the end of the conference include the following observations and recommendations:

Demand for okra and its products is on the increase across the global market, including the industrialized nations where people resort more to natural health remedies.

There has been a decline in okra production due to various challenges (including biotic and abiotic stresses).

Low-income stakeholder farmers lack adequate resources needed for optimal production, resulting in low productivity.

Poor funding is a major limitation in crop improvement in the public sector.

Despite the large collection of germplasm in Nigeria, there is a deficiency of proper documentation, which may restrict their usefulness.”

Recommendations:

There is a need for proper characterization of Okra germplasm.

Capacity building is needed to strengthen breeders and research institutions in developing countries on technological infrastructure and skills for crop improvement.

There should be the formulation and implementation of policies that will strengthen crop improvement and provide a conducive environment for seed businesses.

There should be strategies and structure to enable investment in crop improvement.

Public-private partnership is required for successful development of technologies and tools for research in crop breeding and improvement.

Seed systems need to be properly developed in order to promote commercialization of agriculture.

Concerted effort and adequate commitment are urgently required towards developing crop varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases in order to curtail the high use and abuse of pesticides, which has attendant food safety concerns.

Researchers-farmers’ linkage should be strengthened for effective breeding programs and adoptable technologies.

Improvement and dissemination of well-packaged agronomic practices (optimum spacing, fertilizer recommendation, and crop protection protocols) for okra production in Nigeria is also advocated.”