National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology-

Recently, an Integrated Information Management Software Package known as GRIN- Global Community Edition (GGCE) was installed at the Centre’s Seed Genebank by Crop Trust alongside with all necessary equipment’s to facilitate the management of Genebank operations electronically, such operations are seed viability testing, acquisition, distribution and regeneration among others.

The software is also aimed to facilitate exchange of data and collaborations among Genebanks across the globe.

Matija Obreza a seasoned Information System Manager from Crop Trust trained staff of the National Genebank on handling procedures and management of the software.

NACGRAB Genebank members of staff received training on standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in Genebank activities.

Prof Falalou Hamidou the facilitator of the training is a renowned scholar and expert in Genebank Management. His wealth of experience spans over three decades; he is also the country representative of ICRISAT in Niger.

The training was fully sponsored by Seed for Resilience Project, Crop Trust.

Recently, a team of scientists from Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU) Ile-Ife and Osun State University ( UniOsun) Oshogbo, Nigeria in collaboration with Crop Trust, Bonn Germany BOLD ( Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihood and Development) project lead by Dr. Atanda S. Oladejo ( Principal Investigator of the Project in Nigeria) delivered a total of 198 crop accessions to NACGRAB as the project National Gene bank in Nigeria.

Dr. A. U. Okere, the Ag. Director, NACGRAB and other management staff officially received the crop accessions as the first level back up for the regenerated seeds of local legumes and indigenous vegetables.

The 198 crop accessions deposited at NACGRAB Gene bank includes; 16 accessions of Jute mallow; 18 accessions of Cock's comb; 3 accessions of Garden egg; 91 accessions of Cowpea, 41 accessions of Pigeon pea; 24 accessions of bambara groundnut; 4 accessions of Sword bean and 1 accession of African yam bean.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELEASES TEN NEW CROP VARIETIES

A total of ten (10) new crop varieties were recently released to the Nigerian farms to boost food security. This was made known at the 32nd meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breed and Fisheries ( NVRC).

These crops include: four (4) wheat varieties ( LACRIWHIT 14, LACRIWHIT 15.LACRIWHIT16D and LACRIWHIT 17D); FOUR (4) Potato varieties (KYAU, BABBAN , JURIYA AND UNICA); and two (2) synthetic maize varieties ( Artmaz 01 and ARTMAZ 02).

The meeting had in attendance breeders, researchers, agricultural expert, seed companies as well as other relevant stakeholders.

The National Varietal Release Committee ( NVRC) and relevant stakeholders deliberated on the establishment of a digital portal to aid varietal release process in Nigeria.

Present at the meeting were Dr. A.U Okere, the Ag. Registrar NVRC, Mr. Chinedu Agbara, a consultant with Collaborative Seed Program (CSP), Dr Arnab Gupta ( CSP Facilitator), Mr. Ravon Jarret, a seasoned web developer, Prof. Olakojo, President Genetic Society of Nigeria), Dr. S. E. Aladele, Research Director, NACGRAB and host of others.

The digital portal for NVRC will contain certain features such as preparation of an application, checking of application status, provisions of feed back and complains as well reduce paper work in the Varietal release process.

NACGRAB GETS NEW ACTING DIRECTOR
Following the Recent merger of National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) and National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), the repositioning and the restructuring exercise, Dr. A. U. Okere was redeployed as the new Acting Director of NACGRAB while Dr. S.E. Aladele becomes the Research Director in NACGRAB

The redeployment of Dr. A. U. Okere took effect from the 16th of November, 2022.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT C0MMISSIONS REHABILILATED ROAD PROJECT AT NACGRAB

The Management, members of staff of National Center for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), and other Federal Government establishment in the complex, Moor Plantation, Ibadan Oyo State were full of gratitude to the Federal Government on the rehabilitated road / handing over of the 0.75-kilometer Internal Road project within NACGRAB complex on Tuesday, 21st February, 2023. The rehabilitated road is an access root to NACGRAB’s field and Animal Genetic Resources Department, staff and guests.
Gracing the commissioning/ handing over of the rehabilitated road to NACGRAB Management was the honorable Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) ably represented by the Federal Controller of Works, Oyo State Engineer Kayode Ibrahim. The Management and members of staff NACGRAB were implored to put the rehabilitated road into good use.
The Acting Director, NACGRAB Dr A. U. Okere represented by Dr. (Mrs.) A. O. Ojo, Assistant Director, Research NACGRAB expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, the Ministry of Works and Housing, the Controller of Works and other stakeholders who carried out the project within the stipulated time.

Ongoing progress monitoring evaluations of projects at the Centre by delegates of KFW Development Bank Germany and Crop Trust. The National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology with its mandate of preserving gene banks has a huge contribution towards Food security.

A courtesy visit by the Delegates of KFW Development Bank Germany and the Crop Trust to the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology.

The collaboration seeks to address challenges on Food security and climate change.

Collaborations in progress...

The National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) seeks to partner with The National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) in the participation of the Seed for Resilience Project, a program of the Global Crop Diversity Trust.

A courtesy visit by the Director/CEO NIHORT; Dr. Attanda M.L to the Centre. The proposed visit is geared towards partnership with NACGRAB on food and nutritional security through NACGRAB'S crop varietal release program

CG Centers, Genebank Managers and Global Crop Diversity Trust Visit NACGRAB

The team of The Genebank Managers of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and Global Trust Diversity Trust (Crop Trust) visited The National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Nigeria. The visit which took place on the 13th October, 2022 was facilitated by the Head of The West African Hub, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Professor Michael Abberton. This visit was aimed at enhancing cohesion and further collaboration in NACGRAB. The visit involved a facility tour to the Centre's National Genebank.
Also in attendance was Dr. Nora Castaneda- Alvarez, The Project Manager of Seed for Resilience at Global Crop Trust. She shared her knowledge with the Database Management staff.

Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) between the 14th and 16th November, 2022 training the staff of the National Genebank on "Quality Management System (QMS) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The objective of the program amongst others was to equip the staff of the National Genebank with the necessary skills to enhance Genebank operations to meet the international standards of operation.

Representative of the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) at the Genebank Operations and Advanced Learning (GOAL) workshop organized by The Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop trust) held between 9th-13th May,2022 at Trade Mark Hotel, Limuru Road, Kenya.

The Osun state government as part of its initiative to boost the economy of the state through Agriculture in collaboration with the National Center for Generic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) organized a training and empowerment programme for young farmers on cassava value chain processing.

The training program took place in three (3) constituencies in Osun State which are; Ora ( Boluwaduro, Ila and Ifedayo local government), Ifon (Osogbo, Olorunda, Irepodun and Orolu Local government) and Igbaye (Odo-Otin, Ifelodun and Boripe Local government.

A total of one hundred and seven five 175 participants were given thorough hands on processing of Cassava to high quality Gari and Flour for making confectioneries.

Participants were also empowered with both the technical skills and starter kits to start up a small-scale business after being awarded certificate of participation.

The team of experts at the end of the meeting of the Technical Working Group on Germplasm Users’ Engagement Project. (2nd from right- Director/CEO of the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology; 3rd from right- Dr. Eva Weltzien, a consultant to Global Crop Diversity Trust.

The goal remains germane. It is to ensure that farmers adopt the Resilience Seed varieties in order to tackle climate change and ensure food security.

Dr. Eva Weltzien, a consultant to Global Crop Diversity Trust on Users’ Engagement Seeds for Resilience project spoke at the meeting of the Technical Working Group on Germplasm Users’ Engagement Project.

She pointed out key factors that make a Genebank more vibrant and these includes; availability of seed, good quality seed and information about the characteristics of seeds

The Meeting was held at the Conference Hall of the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology on the 25th February, 2022.

At the 30th National Committee Meeting on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries, the following crop varieties were registered and released: two crop varieties each from rice, oat, Kenaf, Acha and ginger; three crop varieties from durum wheat, soybean and cassava; six varieties from cowpea, twenty-three varieties of maize and one variety of yam.

It is interesting to note that since the inauguration of the National Committee in 1989, this particular meeting has released the highest number of crop varieties so far.

On Wednesday, 12th January 2022, the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of crop varieties, Live stock breeds and fisheries registered and released a total of 49 high-yielding crop varieties of 11 seeds.

National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology- updated their business hours.

National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology- updated their website address.