NRCRI steps up to fight virus in root crops  

The National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, says it is working sustainably to stop viruses and diseases infecting Cassava and other crops, considered as a serious threat to food security.
 
The move is targeted at making the country to reclaim its position as the global leader in cassava cultivation. Nigeria’s current production of cassava stands at 63 million metric tonnes; yam – 50 million and cocoyam (Taro) 3.2 million tonnes
 
To check the infestations, the NRCRI Officer, Dr Chukwuemeka Nkere, who is the Country Director for Central and West Africa Virus Epidemiology for Food Security project (WAVE) project, said under the WAVE project, Cassava Demonstration Farms were established across the country.
  
Dr. Nkere, who spoke at the demonstration farm located within the premises of Abia State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP),  Umuahia, during the evaluation of the harvested  cassava planted last year, said the same  harvest evaluation exercise was carried out at Akwa Ibom State.