By Bisola Adeyemo
The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on Monday moved to developed oat seeds variety as part of efforts to boost production and revamp the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy.
Prof. Mohammed Ishiyaku, the Executive Director of the institute, who disclosed this with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that the development of the two varieties of oat seeds, SAMOAT 1 and SAMOAT 2, was historic in Nigeria because there was no variety of such seeds released in the country.
According to him, the seeds were developed through collaborative research between the institute and Oat-Rich Organisation, an American non-profit making organization.
Ishiyaku noted that the crop can grow and do well wherever wheat can be grown, especially the varieties presented for approval by the institute.
He also said that the crop will go a long way in saving the country some foreign exchange in terms of importing oat grains.
“If it is processed, it will also be a value addition process the crop have potentials of generating jobs for Nigerians,” he said.
Ishiyaku said that the institute had also developed SAMMAZ 64, 65, 66 and 67, which are improved and high yielding maize varieties and its inbred lines for the development of hybrid maize.
He added that it was also the first time in Nigerian history a research institute developed its own inbred lines from which it is making maize hybrids.
The hybrids, he said, were different from merely making crosses and then developing new varieties, hybrids are developed with the potential of extraordinary high yield.
“In this, we normally make the inbred lines (the parents from which the hybrid are formed) but for the first time in Nigerian history a research institute developed its own inbred lines from which it is making maize hybrids.
“Before now, companies import hybrids or the foreign companies come into the country and do the mating with the seeds and then sell to farmers, but now we have Nigerian hybrids.
“This is another history, this hybrid has a yield potential of between eight and 10 tons per hectare and resistance to drought which is another historical cornerstone for the institute,’’ he said.
He noted that there were two ways to mitigate climate change by either developing a crop variety with a very short maturity period or you add the resistance of prolonged duration of absence of rainfall.
Quality journalism costs money. Today, we’re asking that you support us to do more. Support our work by sending in your donations.
The donation can be made directly into NatureNews Account below
