NIHORT develops technology for bio-pesticides extraction

NIHORT develops technology for bio-pesticides extraction

The National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, has developed a technology called NIHORT-LYPTOL insecticide.

Dr Abayomi Olaniyan, the NIHORT’s Executive-Director (ED), made the disclosure on Wednesday in Ibadan, during the institute’s 2019 in-house review, held at NIHORT.

The ED said the technology was developed for the containment of the Tuta Absoluta , a pest, which commonly affects tomato, thereby limiting the production of tomato in Nigeria.

He also noted that it developed Tuta Absoluta tray as well as monographics on the pest’s containment.

According to him, NIHORT has used plantain/banana peel stalk wastes, which could have resulted in environmental issues and turned them into wealth by converting them into various types of soap.

“Other achievements by the institute in 2018 include multiplication of seeds, seedlings of vegetables and fruits, empowerment training on horticulture in Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Ebonyi and Delta states for youths, women and farmers.

“There was establishment of new orchards of Irvingia Wombulu mango specie at Mbato and 12 blocks office were commissioned by the NIHORT board.

“The institute officially inaugurated a new outstation in Otukpa, Benue on Jan. 18, to improve the contribution of horticultural crops to sustainable livelihood, employment, food security as well as export promotion of commodities from states in the North Central zone.

“It will also afford the institute the opportunity to train large number of youths, unemployed women and men on improved horticultural technologies,” he said.

He, however, promised that NIHORT would work tirelessly to meet the demand for domestic need of horticultural crops such as tomato, citrus as well as value added products.

Adediran added that exports of some crops such as ginger, mango, plantain, banana as well as avocado pear in international markets would be promoted while improved horticultural seeds, seedlings would be made available to farmers.

Also speaking, Chairman, NIHORT Governing Board, Retired Maj.Gen. Mohammed Garba, urged research institutes to re-engineer their research towards adding physical value to the nation’s economic development.

“A nation that cannot provide gainful employment to its millions of graduate youths cannot be said to be a secured nation.

“We must ensure we have adequate food security in our nation, we must also ensure that we rely on feeding on what we produce and do away with massive importation of food to feed the nation,” he said.

Also, Mr Yarama Ndirpaya, from the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), underscored the need for the country to improve food production, especially through use of technologies.

He urged the Federal Government to support research institutes adequately,to improve food production as well as obtain food security.

The South-West Regional Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Joseph Ogunwale, urged research institutes to come up with improved seeds, technologies, policy control measures and work with extension agents to disseminate the technologies to farmers.

He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to support research institutes to improve food production in the country.

In a keynote address, Prof. Joseph Olarewaju , a retired professor of Horticulture from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said there was need for research institutes, especially NIHORT, to collaborate with academic institutions.

This, he said, would lead to sustaining economic development through horticultural value chains in accordance with NIHORT’s national mandate on horticultural research production, processing and extension.

He urged NIHORT to start conducting research on Genetically Modified Organisms crops that will be safe for consumption.

The meeting had its theme as “Sustaining Economic Development Through Horticultural Value Chain’’.

The highlight was the commissioning of some NIHORT projects as well as visit to exhibition stands.

 

 

 

Source: NAN

Photo Credit: Google