The National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries has approved the registration and release of 57 new high-yield crop varieties for the use of farmers towards boosting agricultural production, translating to food security.
The approval was announced during the 40th meeting of committee hosted by the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan, and held at Lafia Halls and Apartments, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The meeting was presided over by the chairman of the committee, Professor Soji Olufajo, and was well attended by committee members and all relevant stakeholders. Eight pasture varieties, comprising six grasses and two legumes, were approved for retroactive registration.
Olufajo announced the registration and release of the 40 new crop varieties based on the recommendations of the committee’s technical sub-committee.
The sub-committee, led by Professor Shehu Ado, had earlier deliberated on the proposed varieties during its meeting held two days before the eventual announcement at the same venue.
Following extensive consideration, the sub-committee recommended 57 crop and livestock varieties for release, which were subsequently approved by the NVRC.
Olufajo noted that the newly registered varieties were submitted by research institutes, universities, and private seed companies.
Similarly, the technical sub-committee on naming, registration and release of livestock breeds/fisheries, during its 10th meeting last Wednesday, deliberated on the only new chicken breed received.
The sub-committee, chaired by Waheed Akin-Hassan, stated that the new chicken breed, ‘Moorbeta’, was a locally developed meat-type chicken.
He said there would be a mass production of the breed because of its great potential.
Similarly, the technical sub-committee on naming, registration and release of livestock breeds/fisheries, during its 10th meeting last Wednesday, deliberated on the only new chicken breed received.
The sub-committee, chaired by Waheed Akin-Hassan, stated that the new chicken breed, ‘Moorbeta’, was a locally developed meat-type chicken.
He said there would be a mass production of the breed because of its great potential.
Among the new high-yield varieties of crops released and registered are: four Musa spp, varieties, comprising two plantains and two bananas, from the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan.
The new plantain varieties are HORTIPLAN 1 and 2, while the new banana varieties are HORTIBAN 1 and 2.
HORTIPLAN 1 and 2 were released based on their heavy bunches, yellow pulp, excellence for boiling, frying, roasting, flour-making, long shelf life, and high carotenoid content.
Meanwhile, HORTIBAN 1 and 2 were released and registered for their good sweet taste, thick peel, big pulp, and intermediate bract apex shape.
Also, one Soyabean (YSJ001), from YSJ Limited and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, was released based on its good pod clearance, high protein content and tolerance to diseases.
Two yam varieties: UMUDr37 and UMUDr38, sponsored by the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia, in collaboration with IITA, Ibadan, were among the released crops.
The varieties were released based on early maturity, good pounding quality, and excellent boiling quality, among other qualities.
One potato variety (Connect) from the NRCRI was released, based on its large tubers, resistance to late blight and suitability for table.
Six onion varieties: HORTIONI 1, 2, 3 (dry season onion), and HORTIONI 4, 5, and 6 (wet season onion), from NIHORT, were also released.
They were released for their high pungency, big bulb size, and disease resistance, among others.
Five varieties of Tomato: HORTITOM 6 and 7, SP TOM 1, 2 and 3, from NIHORT, were also registered and released.
They were released based on their heat tolerance, early maturity, resistance to diseases and good adaptability under dry and rainy conditions.
The five released rice varieties are: FARO 73; SG rice 1 and 2; MIP 5803 and 4802.
They were from the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Abuja, and other foreign partners.
The NVRC approved the release and registration of the rice varieties for their long, slender grains and good tillering drought tolerance, among other benefits.
Furthermore, NVRC, during the last day of the meeting, approved the release and registration of one Pepper variety—SP PEP 1, and three eggplant varieties: HORTICUM 1, 2 and 3.
Both the pepper and eggplant varieties, from NIHORT, were approved based on early maturity of between 55 and 65 days (pepper); high vitamin C content, and early maturing for the eggplant.
Other crop varieties approved by the committee included 15 maize varieties, four varieties of groundnut, one sorghum proprietary variety, four cowpea public varieties, and six proprietary cotton varieties.