By Ochieng’ Ogodo
[NAIROBI] New cassava varieties developed by the NextGen project—Baba-70 and GameChanger are gaining acceptance by farmers in Benue and Kogi states in Nigeria states, raising hopes of better yields in future.
The varieties, Game Changer, Baba 70 and Poundable, according to the breeders, were part of the varieties released in 2020 and when cultivated with good agronomic practices and weed control can produce more than 30 tons per hectare instead of the current national average yield of eight tons per hectare.
While the Game Changer can produce 32 tons per hectare, Baba 70 can produce 38 tons per hectare. The new cultivars are also drought-tolerant and resistant to the virus diseases of cassava.
According to Dr Ismail Rabbi, a molecular geneticist and plant breeder with IITA, consumer preference studies were conducted before releasing the varieties. “In addition to high yield and stress tolerance, we found that these varieties are suitable for several agro-ecologies. Farmers, processors and consumers love these varieties because they were high-yielding, stress-tolerant, disease-resistant and had the right food properties,” he says.
“I am confident that farmers who adopt these varieties will make more profit and improve their livelihoods. These varieties are also a huge contribution to food security,” says Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo, who heads IITA GoSeed,
She adds: “As part of the launch, farmers and processors were taken to the field where the varieties were planted alongside an old improved variety, TME 419, 11 months ago and managed by Crest Agro. After an assessment of the field as well as the plant architecture, the farmers participated in harvesting some of the roots to compare with TME 419.”
A demonstration of the processing of the new varieties to prove that their dry matter and starch contents were high and of great food value was conducted on the entire process from the farm to the table.
Dr. Vishnuardhan Banda, Product Manager for Crop Variety Development, IITA, expresses joy that the farmers and processors are happy with the new varieties and eager to plant them on their farms.
“We urge you to always tell us how these varieties are performing on your various farms. You have seen that these are very good varieties but we know that in years to come, you would need something new. Just keep giving us feedback about farmers' choices and complaints, and we the breeders will be working with that information to give you new and better products.”
Ambassador Jaiyeola Lewu, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, and now a farmer, describes the varieties as game changers in the agricultural sector, saying “farmers will benefit immensely from them.” He urged the project leaders to ensure that the products were available and accessible to the farmers who need them.
The sentiments above were expressed during the farmers field day and product launch in Kogi on 19 while in Benue it took place on 23 May 2022.
Among those who attended the event in Kogi were farmers, processors, and representatives from Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture, Kogi State Agricultural Development Program, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association and other public and private sector stakeholders. IITA and NRCRI scientists were also in attendance.
The NextGen Cassava Project, is being implemented by Cornell University, New York, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI).
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