By Marie-therese Nanlong

The Centre for Biotechnology and Genetic Research, University of Jos, has said its findings in the laboratories about mass food production can only be beneficial if rural farmers are exposed to and trained on how to practically apply the results to farming.

Director of the Centre, Dr. Timothy Namo, stated this at Bokkos local government area of Plateau State where the rural farmers in the area were exposed to and urged to imbibe new farming techniques which will enable them to effectively tackle crops disease, boost their yields and make them maximize the profits made on their chosen farm produce.

The Centre which organized the third in its series of farm fair and workshop for rural farmers reminded the farmers that improved farming method will boost food production not only in the local government but the entire state.

Addressing the farmers, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai, said the event is a mutual interface aimed at helping researchers to tackle problems encountered by the farmers as well as give room for farmers to learn new techniques in farming.

He noted that the event also “fostered a working relationship and partnership with farmers at the grassroots in order to boost food production, showcase to the world the rich bioresource potentials of Plateau and help researchers to develop proposals aimed at tackling problems encountered by farmers.”

He further disclosed, “The Centre is one of the six Biotechnology Centres of Excellence established in each of the geopolitical zones of Nigeria by the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA )in 2003, the University of Jos serves as the headquarters of the North central.

“Our main objective is to ensure that biotechnology is profitably applied to governments stewardship such as assurance of high quality, health services, food security, environmental protection and safety.

“Bokkos is known for large scale production of potato and maize, besides the rearing of animals, recently the production of potato has been challenged by the late blight epidemic.   Researchers in and outside Nigeria are working round the clock to tackle this problem by developing resistant varieties and introduce new cropping systems.

“I believe this event will enable our team of researchers from the University and Agricultural Researches Institutes to explore new areas of partnership with the local farmers, the workshop is aimed at exposing participants to current innovations aimed at optimum utilization of plant and animal produce to meet increasing human and industrial needs.”

Also speaking, the Management Committee Chairman of Bokkos local government area, Luka Makut said citizens of the locality are predominantly farmers hence any available opportunity for them to gain on their skills and techniques of improving farm yields is always accorded premium.”

He added, “This occasion is very apt in view of the economic challenges in Plateau state and the country is passing through, fall out of the sharp decline in oil prices which had been the mainstay of our economy. The option posited by experts for the reversal of this predicament is through diversification of sources of revenue other than oil of which agriculture is top most.”