Research on Insect Resistant Cowpea at Advanced Stage in Northern Nigeria

The Director of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Dr. Ahmad Falaki, said that research in the institute has reached advanced stage in developing insect resistant cowpea (beans) varieties. He made the disclosure at the second Agricultural Biotechnology Sensitization Workshop on "Development of Maruca-Resistance Bt Cowpea" that took place at ABU, in the Zaria City of Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria.

Falaki, who was represented by Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, Program Leader, Irrigation Research, said the institute is determined to ensure the actualization of producing the insect resistant cowpea. "Where we are today is at the stage of replicating multi-locations to select high yielding and insect resistant cowpea for subsequent release to our esteemed farmers. It is to the credit of IAR and African Agricultural Technology Fund (AATF) and ABU that in the entire history of mankind a transgenic Maruca resistant cowpea variety is being successfully developed and at the verge of commercialization," Dr. Falaki said.

In his speech, the chairman of the occasion and Director, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Professor Bamidele Solomon, lauded the efforts of IAR for what he described as its giant strides. The workshop which took place on 5 December 2012 aimed at keeping the university community and the general public well informed about the progress made in the quest to develop Maruca-resistant Bt cowpea in Nigeria.

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