The National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries, has approved the registration and release of 14 new high-yield crop varieties for the use of Nigerian farmers towards increasing agricultural production.
The registration and release of the the new crop varieties and new chicken breeds were announced during the 34th meeting of committee which held at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the committee, Professor Soji Olufajo and was well attended by committee members and all relevant stakeholders.
Olufajo, while sharing details of the newly registered crop varieties and chicken breeds said the registration and release of the two new chicken breeds and the varieties of seven crops were based on the recommendation of its two technical sub-committees.
He said the new chicken breeds are: Noiler and Cobb 500, while the high-yield crops are: wheat variety, which he said was approved based on high yield and high flour yield and quality.
Professor Olufajo, equally, noted that the barley varieties, were recommended for registration and release based on high yield, early maturity and malting quality.
He stated further that the maize hybrid ILOMAZ 3 was recommended for registration and release based on tolerance to drought, resistance to striga hermonthica and high grain yield, while the maize variety SAMMAZ 76 was recommended for registration and release based on tolerance to multiple stress, striga hermonthica, drought, Fall armyworm and high grain yield.
The cassava variety UMUCASS 55 was recommended for registration and release based on good plant architecture, high yield and high dry matter content, while cassava variety UMUCASS 56 was considered based on high vigor, high yield, good plant architecture for mechanisation and high yield density planting, slightly poundable, high dry matter and starch contents.
The rice hybrid FARO 69, was recommended for registration and release based on high yield and drought tolerance, while rice hybrid FARO 70 was considered based on high crop and ratoon yield, early maturity and drought tolerance. Castor variety NCRICAS 3 was recommended for registration and release based on high seed yield and large endosperm, while Castor variety NCRICAS 4 was recommended for registration and release based on high seed yield and large endosperm.
Corchorus HORTCOOLA 1 was recommended for registration and release based on no seed dormancy, high yield, larger and glossy leaf, high protein and mineral content, while Corchorus variety HORTCOOLA 2, was recommended for registration and release based on no seed dormancy, high yield, long leaf, high protein and mineral contents.
Speaking with journalists after the announcements, Registrar, National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries and Director, NACGRAB, Dr Anthony Okere, expressed optimism that the release and registration of the crop varieties will enhance food sufficiency in the country.
He called on farmers to embrace the newly released crops in order for them to get quality production without having to put in too much energy before getting the desired result.
He commended the research institutions and other organisations which contributed towards the hosting of the meeting.
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