FG partners Indian foundation to enhance large scale Okro cultivation

In its bid to enhance large scale cultivation of Okro in the country, the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Oyo State has sealed a partnership deal with the Foundation for Advanced Training in Plant Breeding (ATPBR), India, as part of the Federal Government’s diversification plan.

The Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Professor Garba Sharubutu, who spoke on the partnership, said Okro is one of Nigeria’s favourite delicacies, adding that the current administration places more emphasis on the diversification of the economy, hence the focus on extending attention from production of cash crops to food crops such as Okro.

Sharubutu, who spoke on the sidelines of the International Conferences on Global Okra Round Table 11 and 5F Farming Conference-Breeding for Resilience, hosted by NIHORT, in conjunction with ATPBR – an Indian-based not-for-profit organisation, said by concentrating on production of food crops, farmers in the country stand to gain from the various policies put in place by the Federal Government.

He noted that apart from helping towards the diversification of the economy, it would help in achieving food sufficiency in the country. Sharubutu said: “Mr. President is more than interested in the diversification of the economy. We cannot just concentrate on production of cash crops alone. We need to also support and look at other staple food items, and most importantly, Okro. It can grow anywhere and any season, in the desert or anywhere.

“What we are doing is to promote production of Okro. It can grow in two cycles, and these two or three cycles will make agriculture more sustainable in the sense that in-between the farming of yam you have Okro, maybe once or twice. So, sustainability of our own citizens is key and this is what this government is doing.

“The Council has the mandate to regulate agricultural research, training and extension. We are here in Ibadan in view of the global roundtable conference that is taking place under the promotion of Okro,” he said.

On his part, Director of ATPBR, India, Dr. Surinder Tikko, said the conference was organised to have inputs of the stakeholders on how to make Okro a global crop.