NRCRI develops new potato variety to tackle blight disease

The National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, has developed a new variety of potato to tackle outbreak of blight in North Central Zone.

Recall that last year, the last outbreak of potato blight was experienced by farmers in Plateau, leading to destruction of over 32,000 hectares of farms.

Dr. Khaya Shuaibu of NRCRI, who announced this at the Green Field Day, organised for farmers in Bokkos, said biotech potato is resistant to the disease and could produce good yield without application of fungicide and other chemicals.

Shuaibu also explained that the initiative was supported by Global Biotechnology Potato Partnership (GBPP), under its “Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Project Nigeria,” adding that the new variety will encourage more investments in potato value chain.

“NRCRI is collaborating with national and international partners to develop this, and the choice of Plateau for this trial is because the state produces 90 per cent of the potatoes in Nigeria,” he said.

The researcher, who also doubles as the Trial Manager of GBPP for the project, emphasised that the move would boost production and enable farmers’ access to better yield and income.

Similarly, he stressed that the field day was aimed at sensitising farmers, extension workers and researchers on the need to embrace the new product, saying, “it is also intended to showcase our research findings on the new variety.”

Speaking also, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Dr Hosea Finangwai, stated that Plateau and its neighbouring states were blessed with good weather and fertile soil for production of potato in large quantity.

Finangwai, who is currently the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Plateau State University, Bokkos, said the institution was not only equipping its students with theoretical knowledge, but the practical aspects of modern farming.

He stated that the institution was partnering with various local and international organisations to support improved yields for farmer and also enjoy dividends of their produce.