The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Monday said federal hovernment will give more support for research institutions in the country to boost food sufficiency.
Senator Kyari stated this in Ibadan while speaking at the 60th anniversary lecture of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN).
Represented by the South West Zonal Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Olayinka Akeredolu declared that CRIN has done well as an institution saddled
The executive director of CRIN, Dr. Patrick Olusanmi Adebola, in his address said CRIN has not only met, but consistently surpassed the goals of the founding fathers.”
Dr Adebola added that CRIN has developed early bearing cocoa varieties (Tc1-Tc8 series), 18 months pods bearing after transplanting, which combine high yield (1500-2300kg/ha compared with 500kg/ha on farmers farms), insect pests and disease tolerance and other quality parameters .
“I stand before you with pride to affirm that CRIN has not only met, but consistently surpassed the goals of the founding fathers,” he said.
Dr. Adebola added that CRIN maintains a robust collection of coffee arabica varieties on the Mambilla Plateau for generic improvement and farmer distribution, ensuring Nigeria’s relevance in the global coffee industry.
