Stakeholders harp on importance of RTCs to food security

• Say it’s major food of over 2.2b people in developing countries
The quest for Nigeria to attain its food security dream will continue to remain unachievable, if appropriate attention is not given to the Root and Tuber Crops ( RTCs), which the country has comparative advantage.

This was the resolution of discussants  at a three-day workshop with the theme: ‘Leveraging Root and Tuber Crops (Cassava, Yam, Cocoyam, Sweet Potato, Potato and Ginger) for a More Resilient Agriculture-Based Economy,’ to review the 2022 report and 2023 work proposal of  the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI ), Umudike,  Abia State.

Held within the institute’s premises, the objectives of the workshop was to identify areas of successes and challenges, and devise methods to mitigate the challenges, consolidate the gains and develop a roadmap for the future.

About 500 participants, drawn from Nigeria and the global community – Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Michael Okpara University Umudike (MOUAU), University of Uyo, Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu (FCAI), National Institute of Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, among others featured at the workshop.

In his opening address, the NRCRI Executive Director, Prof. Chiedozie Egesi, identified some key areas of their interventions, noting that NRCRI has released 54 cassava varieties, out of which nine are yellow cassava, 34 yam varieties, six potato varieties and two ginger varieties.

He added that the institute has also built a befitting state-of-the-art 1,000 capacity International Conference and e-learning Centre, an ultra-modern office block, laboratories and screen houses, and establishment of a spin-off company – Umudike Foods Ltd to market their  numerous value-added products.

Others were strengthening of their seven  out-stations across the country to become centres of excellence for cross-cutting issues, such as climate change,  completion of the perimeter fencing of the headquarter campus of the Institute, rebranding of the Institute, and launching of a new logo for the  Centennial celebration of NRCRI, slated for November 7, 2023.

Optimistic that with RTCs, there is hope for Nigeria, he said the adoption of research Institutes prescribed   improved agricultural practices on RTCs production has led the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with NRCRI to empower farmers on improved agricultural practices.

In his keynote address, Prof Sule Ochai of the African Development Bank (AfDB), said for root and tuber crops to support Agriculture- based resilient economy, the crops must be resilient to all forms of perturbations at every node of the commodity value chain. He added that the development and advancing root and tuber crops through policy requires that the policy be backed up by appropriation of resources among others.

He added: “RTCs can contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals  of ending extreme hunger, elimination of hunger and malnutrition,  help Nigeria become a net exporter of agricultural commodities, move it  to the top of key agricultural value chain and
NRCRI keying  into TAAT 2 and Dakar 2 to contribute to Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts and help win the war against continental food and nutrition security.”

According to him, these, however, require significant increase in investment in agriculture and advance policy reform to which development partners have pledged their support.

Prof Udo Herbert, who represented the Workshop Chairman – the Vice Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, described RTCs as the bedrock of Nigeria economy, adding that everything necessary should be done to boost the crops.

Professor Lateef Sanni, who represented the IITA, said RTCs are important to agriculture and food security of many countries, saying they are a component of the diet for 2.2 billion people in developing countries.

Spokesman of the NRCRI’s host communities, Eze Linus Onuoha urged that research results should be explained to farmers at all levels and that solutions should be proffered on storage and preservation of harvests and pest control.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the ground breaking ceremony for the International Conference Centre and unveiling of the institute’s centennial celebration’s logo by the Minister of State For Science, Technology and Innovation, Henry Ikoh.