By Business A.M.
The Flour Millers Association of Nigeria (FMAN) in partnership with Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), has announced the release of four varieties of wheat to the Nigerian farmers, aimed at boosting the production of wheat and its efficiency across the country.
Aliyu Samaila, liyu Samaila, team leader of FMAN,made the disclosure in a media chat held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital recently, where he noted that the National Centre for Genetic Resource and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), approved the release during its 36th General Meeting held in Ibadan.
Samaila, who was represented by Ahamed Tijani, a FMAN Agronomist, listed the new varieties to include Borlaug-FMAN and NELOKI-FMAN,which are bread wheat with yield potential of up to 7 tonnes per hectare and maturity between 85-95 days; and Bayoreca-FMAN and Cirno-FMAN,both durum wheat, with yield potential of 6tonnes per hectare and maturity between 90-95 days.
“The National Centre for Genetic Resource and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) approved the release at its 36th meeting of Technical Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties held at NACGRAB Moor Plantation, Ibadan,” he said.
Samaila also noted that the release of the varieties would evolutionize wheat production in the country by increasing farmers productivity and at the same time satisfying the quality demand of the milling industry in the country.
According to him, this would be the first time a key player in the wheat value chain, the major off taker and processor (FMAN) is championing the release of a variety to support and improve wheat production in the country.
He further stated that the new development is aimed at promoting local wheat production and reducing the wheat import bill of the country, saving Nigeria billions of dollars.
He also disclosed that the FMAN wheat development programme, over the years, have covered all aspects along the value chain ranging from outgrower programme with over 4000 hectares across seven states; research and development partnership with LCRI;as well as direct off take at harvest from farmers by setting up over 80 aggregation centers across 13 wheat producing states in Nigeria.
