By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
The National Center for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) says it distributed 5,700 crop species to individuals in five years.
Dr Sunday Aladele, the Director-General of NACGRAB, made the disclosure on Tuesday during the 3rd National Summit and Conference on Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilisation, held in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit was organised by NACGRAB and Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), with theme as Promoting Sustainable Conservation and Utilisation of Genetic Resources for Food Security in Nigeria.
According to NACGRAB, the 30 crop species were distributed free to 110 individuals and organisations, in the last five years, as required by International Treaty.
Aladele said that the centre registered and released 659 varieties of 40 crops including soya bean , yam, cassava, cowpea, maize, rice and pearl millet.
He said that NACGRAB played a vital role in the recent ratification of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, after almost two decades the treaty was signed.
This, he said, would enhance agricultural research for development, utilisation of plant genetic resources as well as provide platform for access and benefit sharing from the use of genetic resources by stakeholders in Nigeria.
Aladele emphasised that genetic resources were common goods considered as part of national heritage and thus, needed to be conserved for immediate use and posterity.
He, however, said that the major drawback affecting advancement of genetic resources in Nigeria were poor documentation and networking among major stakeholders.
Aladele also said that the theme was chosen in tune with the current development challenges in the world, with regards to climate change extremities, hidden hunger and food insecurity in the country.
According to him, to advance genetic resources conservation in Nigeria, NACGRAB over the years developed strong collaboration with International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs) and development agencies for sustenance and management of the countrys genetic resources.
The center is currently partnering with the Global Crop Diversity Trust on the seed for Resilience Project towards enhancing the use of conserved seed collections to mitigate climate change, he said.
He urged the stakeholders to come up with practical, pragmatic approach to advance the course of genetic resources conservation and utilisation in Nigeria.
Also, the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Sabo Nanono said that food security is very important in Nigeria as food is the number need of every individual.
Nanono, represented by Dr Machus Ogunbiyi, South-West Regional Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, said the ministry was working to ensure sustainable food security in Nigeria.
He pledged its total support to the Programme, emphasising that NACGRAB is an important ally in the development of agriculture and food security in Nigeria.
Also, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said that NACGRAB contributed immensely to agricultural growth of the state.
Makinde, represented by Mrs Funke Adeniran, the Deputy Director of Planning, Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, said that the government created innovative strategies to develop agriculture in the state.
He pledged governments support to NACGRAB while calling for collaboration with other agricultural organisations in the state. (NAN)
Source: NAN News