National Root Crops Research Institute
Encyclopedia
The National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike
, Abia State
is an agricultural research institute in Nigeria
.
Its origins can be traced back to an experimental farm established at Moor Plantation, Ibadan
on January 1, 1923 by the Nigerian Department of Agriculture.
The School of Agriculture was established in 1955, and the two establishments were combined as the Eastern Nigeria Agricultural Research and Training Station (ARTS) in 1956, with headquarters at Enugu
. In 1972, the institution assumed federal status as the Federal Agricultural Research and Training Station (FARTS). In 1976 it was renamed the National Root Crops Research Institute, coming under the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria.
In 1995, the training wing was split off as the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu
.
The institute conducts research into genetic improvement of economically important root and tuber crops such as cassava, yam, cocoyam, sweet potato, Irish potato, ginger, rizga, Hausa potato, sugar beets and Turmeric. It also researches subjects such as crop cultivation techniques, storage, processing and utilization of the crops, concentrating on requirements of farmers in the south-east zone of Nigeria. The institute provides training of middle level agricultural workers, awarding National Diplomas and Higher National Diplomas and providing specialized vocational training to farmers.
The institute has received funding from the Generation Challenge Program and the National Agricultural Research Systems to establish a modern laboratory for research into improvements to cassava genetics using molecular markers.
The institute collaborates with other regional research centers through the Southern Africa Root Crops Research Network, funded by USAID.
Umudike
Umudike is a community in Abia State, Nigeria, about 10 kilometers southeast of Umuahia, the state capital. It is home to the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture and to the National Root Crops Research Institute....
, Abia State
Abia State
Abia State is a state in southeastern Nigeria. The capital is Umuahia, although the major commercial city is Aba, formerly a British colonial government outpost. The state was created in 1991 from part of Imo State and its citizens are predominantly Igbo people...
is an agricultural research institute in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.
Its origins can be traced back to an experimental farm established at Moor Plantation, Ibadan
Ibadan
Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo State and the third largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano, with a population of 1,338,659 according to the 2006 census. Ibadan is also the largest metropolitan geographical area...
on January 1, 1923 by the Nigerian Department of Agriculture.
The School of Agriculture was established in 1955, and the two establishments were combined as the Eastern Nigeria Agricultural Research and Training Station (ARTS) in 1956, with headquarters at Enugu
Enugu
Enugu is the capital of Enugu State in Nigeria. It is located in the southeastern area of Nigeria and is largely populated by members of the Igbo ethnic group. The city has a population of 722,664 according to the 2006 Nigerian census. The name Enugu is derived from the two Igbo words Enu Ugwu...
. In 1972, the institution assumed federal status as the Federal Agricultural Research and Training Station (FARTS). In 1976 it was renamed the National Root Crops Research Institute, coming under the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria.
In 1995, the training wing was split off as the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu
Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu
The Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu is based in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.The college was established in Umudike in 1955 by the government of Eastern Nigeria, was amalgamated with the Agricultural Research Station, Umudike in 1964 and was taken over by the East Central State Government...
.
The institute conducts research into genetic improvement of economically important root and tuber crops such as cassava, yam, cocoyam, sweet potato, Irish potato, ginger, rizga, Hausa potato, sugar beets and Turmeric. It also researches subjects such as crop cultivation techniques, storage, processing and utilization of the crops, concentrating on requirements of farmers in the south-east zone of Nigeria. The institute provides training of middle level agricultural workers, awarding National Diplomas and Higher National Diplomas and providing specialized vocational training to farmers.
The institute has received funding from the Generation Challenge Program and the National Agricultural Research Systems to establish a modern laboratory for research into improvements to cassava genetics using molecular markers.
The institute collaborates with other regional research centers through the Southern Africa Root Crops Research Network, funded by USAID.