By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Government has unveiled 29 improved crop varieties, including pepper, tomato, and 27 other crops, aimed at boosting food production and providing farmers with high-yielding, disease-resistant options.
The announcement was made during the 35th Meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries, held at Lafia Hotel, Ibadan.
The newly released varieties, which include pepper, tomato, maize, rice, cowpea, millet, wheat, sesame, barley, and soybean, were approved based on their high yield potential, disease resistance, and early maturity. Among the newly introduced varieties are two pepper varieties—HORTIPEP1 and HORTIPEP2—developed by the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) in Ibadan.
These varieties are recognized for their high yield, medium maturity, strong pungency, and aromatic qualities.
In addition, the committee approved two tomato varieties from NIHORT, selected for their superior fruit quality, resistance to cracking, and adaptability to rainfed, open-field cultivation. A range of rice varieties, including ETG M401, ETG M601, SAMMAZ 77, and several others, were also released for their high yields, zinc content, and grain quality.
Eight pasture varieties, comprising six grasses and two legumes, were approved for retroactive registration, which experts believe will enhance ranching practices and potentially reduce farmer-herder conflicts.
These releases were confirmed after extensive deliberation by the technical sub-committee, led by Prof. Shehu Ado, and were presented to the National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), chaired by Prof. Soji Olufajo.
Representatives from various research institutes, universities, seed companies, and government agencies were present at the meeting, including farmer representatives.
Mr. Samuel Adeyinka, representing farmers, urged the committee to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to ensure farmers are informed about and have access to these new crop varieties.
He emphasized that the success of the new releases would depend on reaching the farmers who need them most.
Dr. Anthony Okere, Director of the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), expressed optimism that these new varieties would help achieve the government’s goal of national food security.
He also highlighted the significance of the retroactive registration of pasture varieties in improving ranching systems.
The meeting underscored the role of these improved varieties in enhancing agricultural productivity, supporting food security, and addressing challenges in farming systems.
Nan