Admin By Nur Mohammad
The National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) has advised Nigerian farmers to adjust to the use of climate change resilient crops. .
The centre’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sunday Aladele, gave the advice on Tuesday during a meeting with Technical Working Group on Germplasm Users’ Engagement Activity, at ICRISAT office, Kano.
Aladele said that the meeting was organised to enable the centre introduce the germplasm was being kept in genebank to farmers.
He said that they the group would be able to advice the centre on the best way to approach and guide farmers in selecting the right variety for cultivation.
Aladele enjoined the farmers to move the away from their traditional planting varieties and adopt the centre’s climate resilient seeds under the “Crop for Resilience” project.
He said that the project, which was being supported by the Global Crop Diversity Trust, was aimed at mitigating effects of climate change in the country.
Earlier, The centre’s Technical Assistant Director, Mr Mayowa Olubiyi,said that a technical working group had been inaugurated for the new project in the three benefiting states.
Olubiyi said that 100 farmers were selected from each of the three benefiting Kano, Niger and Oyo States.
He said that the farmers had already been formed into Germplasm User Groups.
Olubiyi said that during the farmers participatory variety selection in Kano State, 300 samples of cowpea and sorghum planted by the project were evaluated.
“Seeds of the samples that did excellent in germination, will be multiplied by the centre and distributed to farmers for further sharing to others,” he said.
Crop trust consultant, Dr Eva Weltzien, stressed the importance of crop conservation, adding that it would enable researchers to have access to the different indigenous crop samples in the gene-bank.
Weltzien said that it would also assist to increase agricultural productivity and boost food security in the country.
A member of the technical working group, Prof Sanusi Gaya, however, urged NACGRAB to sensitize the farmers on effects of climate change on crop production. .
Gaya also added it was important for the farmers to be sensitised on the best time to plant their crops.
NIHORT Station Manager, Malam Idris Bala, also said that it was imperative for the centre to distribute seeds to the farmers in good time.
Lawmakers secures N90bn irrigation, bridge projects for Kano 
Kaduna RAAMP Intensifies Work on Anchau–Gadas–Pala Road Project 
KADRAAMP Participates in 10th Implementation Support Mission in Abuja 
KSADP Boosts Women Participation in Agriculture, Unveils Training Centre in Kano 
FCAPT Kano Partners UNESCO, African Union, South Korea on BEAR III to Transform Agro-Training 
Food Security: HJRDA Reiterates Commitment to First Lady’s ‘Everyone Has a Garden’ Initiative 
CP Azare Commends Peaceful Conduct of APC Primaries in Akwa Ibom 
Kano South Fallout: Has Rurum Drawn a Red Line Against Kawu Sumaila? 
When Ja’o’ji Answers Reconciliation With Humility in Victory 
APC Aspirant Raises Concerns Over Conduct of Primary Election in Jigawa Constituency 
Kano Govt Pledges Stronger Collaboration with FG, Partners on Education 
Ambassador Dr Amina Umar Namadi Sponsors Mass Marriage for 300 Couples in Jigawa