International Potato Center (CIP)

NIGERIA CAN REDUCE WHEAT IMPORTATION BY 25% – PEJU

PEACE — NOVEMBER 3, 2015

The representative of the International Potato Centre, (CIP) in Nigeria, Dr. Phorbee Peju has said the Country can reduce importation of wheat by 25 per cent, if its farmers embraced proper growth of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes, (OFSP). 

Peju, who spoke at the 18th annual lecture of Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin on the topic; ‘Food Security, Employment Generation and Wealth Creation in a Developing Economy: the Role of (OFSP),’ said OFSP, which could be grown in all the 36 states of the Federation could meet some bakery needs in Nigeria.

According to her, the bakery industry – which is the largest industry in Nigeria – can boost farmers’ productivity; improve nutrition and livelihoods if OFSP- in form of puree – can be used in bread baking and other pastry products like cookies, cakes, pies and so on.

She said a composite flour of about 40 per cent OFSP puree has been made into well acceptable bread for commercial purpose in Nairobi while most bakery in Osun State are presently using it.

“EATING IS A RIGHT”- AFDB PRESIDENT

EATING RIGHT QUALITY AND QUANTITY FOOD IS A RIGHT...............Agro Nigeria

The President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has emphasized that food, in quantity and quality, is the right of every human being, noting that what is most important is the safety of the belly.

Adesina who disclosed this at the just concluded conference on agriculture and agribusiness with the theme “Feeding Africa” held in Dakar, said Africa is ready to molt agriculture in a commercial enterprise – a transformation that requires the diversification of the agricultural sector.

The AfDB President is convinced that “Africa has to be the breadbasket of the world, however in order to achieve this, she must release her full potential and make a radical transformation of agriculture.

Adesina stated that according to estimates, the bill for food imports in Africa totaled US $ 35 billion annually. This he said should encourage Africans to develop her agricultural sector and dedicate the budget devoted to food imports to something else.

ORANGE FLESHED SWEET POTATO (OFSP)

      

OFSP

Nigeria is home to over 50% of West Africa’s population,  70% of the population is below the poverty line (2007 est.). Malnutrition is widespread, with over 41% percent of children under five years of age are stunted – i.e. chronically malnourished  and the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency at 29.5%, a level of public health concern (Maziya Dixon et al., 2005).  To reduce high levels of malnutrition that leads to  increased child mortality, reduced learning, low economic capacity and effectively stunt economic development.

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)  in collaboration with International Potato Center (CIP) introduced the Orange-fleshed varieties (OFSP) that are extremely rich in beta-carotene, with the precursor for vitamin A which is better than White-fleshed varieties that have no beta-carotene. Among OFSP, a useful rule is: the deeper the intensity of the orange color, the greater the amount of beta-carotene.

OFSP varieties that can supply the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A for children and non-lactating women contain (300-700 μg retinol activity equivalents) OFSP is a high yielding crops with two different variety currently released after due research work by NRCRI Umudike, Abia State, It has yielding  potential of up to 25 tons per hectare compare with the low yielding variety of white fleshed of 5 ton/ha.