Minister of Agriculture Launches Vitamin A Cassava in Nigeria
March 23, 2012| |
Cassava has been known for its ability to withstand various stresses brought about by climate change. Aside from being a "tough" crop, it also has high nutritive value. HarvestPlus and its partners have developed vitamin-A rich cassava which was formally launched in Nigeria on March 16, 2012. HarvestPlus, together with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and National Root Crop Research Institute of Nigeria (NRCRI), will distribute the biofortified cassava to 50,000 Nigerian households.
During the launch, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, commended the efforts of the research institutions and the federal government in addressing the vitamin A deficiency in the country.
"Cassava used to be a subsistence crop. It is highly adaptable and well-suited for addressing the challenge of climate change, due to its high tolerance to drought. A crop that allows you to make starch, high quality cassava flour, dried chips for export and livestock feed, and ethanol, is not a poor man's crop, but a rich man's crop," the minister said.
For more information, read the articles at http://www.harvestplus.org/content/minister-agriculture-launches-vitamin-cassava-nigeria and http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80554:-govt-launches-three-pro-vitamin-a-cassava-varieties-&catid=1:national&Itemid=559.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- GM Foods In Animals Safe Says International Consortium Study
- FAO Director-General: New Approach in Ending Hunger
- Saving Kenya's Maize Crop
- Minister of Agriculture Launches Vitamin A Cassava in Nigeria
- New and Much Cheaper Genomics Technique Takes Off
- Field Crops Insects Respond to Strange Weather
- U.S. Gov't Reaffirms Support of Agri-biotech
- Quadruple Stacked GM Corn Receives Approval in Argentina
- Biotechnology Plays Key Role in Virus Disease Management, says Philippine Professor
- Pakistan NBC Approves Bt Corn Trial
- Philippine Study: Corn Borer Populations Remain Susceptible to Bt Corn
- Australian OGTR Issues License for Environmental Release of GM Wheat and Barley
- 31st FAO Conference Decisions for Vietnam and the Region
- Malaysian Scientists Develop Superior Red Rice BANGI
- Aberystwyth University and Ceres Complete Full Genetic Map of Miscanthus
- Botanists Use DNA and English in Describing New Plants Species
- Use of Crop Protection Products Improves Carbon Footprint
- Scientists Explain Why Flowers Bloom Earlier With Climate Change
- Artificial Soils From Sewage Sludge and Metallurgical Waste
-
Research Highlights
- How Rice Blast Fungus Achieves Full Virulence
- Overexpression of BB-CBF Enhances Cold Tolerance in Blueberry
- Scientists Map Water Saving Traits in Pearl Millet
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- CSIRO Book Uncovers Nature's Nano-secrets
- Good Genes: Secret to Better Skin
-
Announcements
- World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
- Nominations for Borlaug Global Rust Initiative Gene Stewardship Award
-
Resources
- Conclusions of the EU Council and the Member States on the Strategy towards the Int'l Plant Protection Convention
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 17, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 10, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet