Funding
By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Dutse, May 16, 2018 (NAN) The National Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) has called for adequate funding by the Federal Government to enhance its research activities at Dutse Date Palm Research Substation in Jigawa.
The institute’s Acting Executive Director, Dr Charles Aisagbonhi, made the call when he spoke with newsmen in Dutse on Wednesday.
Aisagbonhi said increased funding by the Federal Government was needed to enable the institute establish tissue culture laboratory at the research substation.
“Increased funding will enable us to establish a tissue culture laboratory at the Dutse date palm research substation.
“The laboratory will also enable us embark on mass production of improved and high yielding date palm seedlings,” Aisagbonhi said.
He explained that the establishment of the laboratory would also enable the substation predict correctly, the sexes of the seedlings.
“Sometimes the number of male will supersede the number of female seedlings raised at our nurseries, which, under normal circumstances, the number of females are supposed to be higher.
“For instance, sometimes, after the seedlings must have matured, you discover that the female will be between 70 and 80 per cent of the total seedlings raised.
“But few males, or about 10 males are enough to pollinate about 100 females. So, through laboratory test, we will be able to predict correctly, the sex of the seedlings on time.
“This will also save time and resources in identifying the sexes of the seedlings at younger stage,” he said.
The official added that the funding was also needed to improve its infrastructures to enhance its activities.
“The institute has no parameter fencing, leaving the whole building open, thereby exposing our gene pools and nurseries to dangers.
“Stray animals destroy our nurseries and locals steal about 80 per cent of date palm produced by the substation.
“Also, if funded adequately, the institute is capable of conducting a lot of researches on date palm that will enable it generate money, encourage production and export date palm fruits.
“It will also assist in reducing wastage of the fruits after harvest, using modern preservative techniques,” he said.
NAN reports that dates palm is mainly grown in Dutse, known for its species and large population of growers.
The Dates Palm Research sub-station is under the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR). (NAN)
MNB/OIF/ASH
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo