NCRI Badeggi Releases New High-Yield Rice and Castor varieties to Nigeria farmers.

NCRI Badeggi Releases New High-Yield Rice and Castor varieties to Nigeria farmers.

FROM SAMSON ALFA, MINNA.

In other to contribute to National food security and support Nigeria’s economic growth through Agriculture  inline with president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda,the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi -Bida , Niger state has released new crop  of rice and castor.varieties as part of it’s mandate in rice production to Nigeria farmers.

The  Executive Director of the institute,Dr Ishaq Ndagi disclosed this to Newsmen in Bida, on the  outcome of the 34th National Committee on Naming, Registration & Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries meeting held at NACGRAB Conference Hall, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.

Dr, Ndagi explained that,the varieties of rice ,the faro69 and faro70 is mainly design to  thrive in lowlands environments which also responds to key challenges in rice that  promotes resilience in high yield and quality.

He said  members of the  committee exhibited their expertise through research were able to arrive at the production and release of faro69 and faro70 which  demonstrates the institute’s commitment to enhancing food security, supporting Nigerian farmers, and to enhance agricultural innovations.

According to the Executive Director,the new varieties of crops were developed in collaboration with the Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS) at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) in China.

Elaborating more on the Faro69 features,Dr Ishaq said is a semi dwarf plant structure, purple lemma apex, and high drought tolerance. It matures within 115–120 days and offers a high potential yield of 13.8 tons per hectare.with a strong resistance to pests such as gall midge and stem borer, and diseases including leaf blast and sheath rot,it contains 12.26% crude protein and 4.85% crude fat.

While Faro70 is an early maturing (89–95 days), drought-tolerant rice variety with green stem and leaf sheath colors. It boasts a potential yield of 11.8 tons per hectare and is also moderately resistant to common rice pests and diseases. with outstanding ratoon potential and high crop yield, Faro70 is nutrient-dense, containing 9.54% protein and 4.81% fat.

Ndagi pointed out that NCRI in collaboration with ICS have  extended training to Nigerian rice farmers on improved agronomic practices and community seed systems, ensuring that the farmers are equipped to maximize the productivity of these new varieties along with the newly Released Castor Varieties: NCRICAS3 and NCRICAS4.