Institute blames herdsmen for destroying research farms

The Executive Director of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, Dr Julius Okonkwo has blamed the recent destruction of the institute’s ongoing breeding programmes and other experiments on the onslaught of herdsmen and their Cattle.

Okonkwo told The Guardian that the incidents became more worrisome because of efforts to protect the farms with Police and Security men.He however, expressed delight that the Federal Government has approved fund in the 2017 Capital Budget for the perimeter fencing of the farms at Umudike and Igbariam sub-station in Anambra State.

He listed poor power supply and low internally generated revenue, as part of the NRCRI challenges, stressing the need to increase its revenue generation. He added that it was in this regard that NRCRI registered a limited liability company for revenue generation.