THE Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN), in partnership with Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), has released four varieties of wheat to Nigerian farmers.
The varieties are bread wheat (Borlaug-FMAN and NELOKI-FMAN) with yield potential of up to seven tonnes per hectare (t/ha) and maturity between 85 and 95 days and Durum wheat (Bayoreca-FMAN and Cirno-FMAN) with yield potential of six t/ha and maturity between 90 and 95 days.
The National Centre for Genetic Resource and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) approved the release at its 36th meeting of the technical committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties held penultimate week at NACGRAB, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State.
FMAN, in a brief released to newsmen at the event, said, “The release of these varieties will revolutionise wheat production in the country by increasing farmers’ productivity and at the same time satisfying the quality demand of the milling industry in the country.
“This is the first time a key player in the wheat value chain, the major off-taker and processor, FMAN, is championing the release of varieties to support and improve wheat production in the country.
“This new development is aimed at promoting local wheat production and reducing the wheat import bill of the country, saving Nigeria billions of dollars.
“FMAN wheat development programme over the years has covered all aspects along the value chain ranging from out-grower programme (over 4000ha across seven states) seed production (over 300ha and grant to NASC), research and development (in partnership with LCRI), direct off-take at harvest from farmers by setting up over 80 aggregation centres across 13 wheat producing states in Nigeria.”
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