University don invents yam tubers growth regulators

NaijaAgroNet

A senior lecturer, Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, at the University of Ibadan (UI) Dr. Monrufat Balogun, has invented a technology for the production of Dormancy-Controlled Yam Seed Tubers reports NaijaAgroNet.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that the technology is not a genetic modification and had no zero detection of plant-growth regulator, which would ensure increased availability of yam seedlings to all yam farmers to allow them, cultivate yams for more than one cycle.

"We want to see how yams can be grown anytime in the year and not necessarily only at the season.This technology would yield more income for farmers,” she said.

The expert speaking on assurance of the technology to the growth of the agricultural sector also said the research started in November 2014 and took two years to perfect it.

“We soak the tubers in some substances that are called ‘Growth Regulators’. After this, we check whether there is difference in sprouting between the ones soaked and the ones not soaked. After checking the tubers at the lab we found out that zero amounts of the substances were detected, so it is safe and people should not fear.” Balogun said.

She also said they are planning on training all stakeholders in yam production and consumption on this new technology.

The invention, NaijaAgroNet learnt, was in collaboration with Prof. Wayne Curtis of the Pennsylvania State University, under the United States National Academies-partnership for Enhanced Engagement in Research, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and would be fully out by 2016.

Daniel Nsolibe/GEE/Ed, Ops.

 
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BATN donates motorocycles to Oyo State agric

NaijaAgroNet:

The British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation, has donated some two motorcycles to the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture in Ibadan, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Also, it was gathered by NaijaAgroNet that the presentation was made by the foundation led by the General Manager, BATN Abimbola Okoya, to enhance forest protection and deforestation in the state.

The event held at the Ministry of Agriculture in Ibadan, was witnessed by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Mr. Kunle Adeduntan, Head, Leaf Operations, British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy, Mr. Thomas Omofoye and General Manager, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Abimbola Okoya.

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Farmer, civil servant collect N1m cheque @ Glo “Recharge to Stardom” promo

A Nigerian farmer and a civil servant are among 11 winners of various prizes that went home at the weekend N1 million richer as they emerged winners in the on-going Glo “Recharge to Stardom” promo in a ceremony held in Ibadan, Oyo State

The lucky winners who collected their prizes at the event include Samson Olabode, an Ibadan-based farmer in Oyo state and Ayodeji Ettu, a civil servant from Ogun state who went home with N1 million each. Other winners who collected cheques at the occasion include Olayemi Olaigbe, Oluwakemi Olashore, Hameed Adegoke, Abeeb Popoola and Oluwaseun Ojebode who won N25,000 each while Ajani Razak, Olajide Ismaila, Phillip Ademola and Adetayo Adeoye went home with cheques for N10,000 each.

One of those who won N1million is Samson Olabode, a poultry farmer in Ibadan, Oyo state. Married with 2 kids, Olabode said that it was a big surprise and he initially did not believe that it was true. “I have been using my phone for over 5 years and I was just loading normally as was my practice to call my relations abroad. I feel very happy and I want to thank Glo and its Chairman for this great gesture. Glo is the number one network that gives back to the masses. I believe many families will benefit from this promo”, he said.

Ayodeji Ettu, a non-academic staff of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), who also went home with N1milion at the occasion, said that he had been in a dream-like state since he was told that he won such a huge sum in the promo that he did not tell his wife and family that he was coming for the prize presentation. “I feel great right now and I want to appreciate Glo for making communication cheaper for Nigerians. I urge other Nigerians to use Glo since they can also become a winner like me”, he stated.

Mrs. Oluwakemi Olashore, a Lagos-based businesswoman who won N25,000 in the promo was also excited that she won. “I urge everyone to use Glo as it is a good network. In fact my husband and everyone in my family will now have to use Glo and keep recharging until we win the N25 million grand prize”, she said.

Speaking at the event, Globacom’s Divisional Director (Lagos/West 1), Kunle Akanmu said that the prize presentation was in keeping with Glo’s promise to reward its loyal subscribers as the company marks the 10^th anniversary of the commencement of its operations. “Since we started the promo a few weeks ago, we have given out millions of naira and other cash prizes to several winners at several prize presentations held in Lagos and Abuja. And today, we are holding simultaneous prize presentations in Ibadan and Onitsha”, he said.

“The Glo “Recharge to Stardom” promo offers thousands of loyal subscribers on the Glo network the opportunity to win various prizes ranging from N10,000 up to the grand prize of N25 million. Prepaid and post-paid Glo subscribers who recharge with N200 and above during the promo period stand a chance of winning any of the prizes ranging from N10,000 to N1million while subscribers who recharge up to N5,000 during the promo period stand a chance of winning the grand prize of N25million”, he added.

 

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