Nigerian scientists develop vitamin enriched cassava

By CHIOMA OBINNA Nigerian scientists at the National Roots Crops Research Institute, NCRI, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, have developed and released the first ever African set of pro-vitamin A-enriched yellow cassava as part of strategies to curb the prevalence of malnutrition in the country. The three varieties which include UMUCASS 36, UMUCASS 37 and 38 will provide more vitamin A in the diets of more than 70 million Nigerians who eat the root crop every day. Launching the varieties at the NCRI, Umudike, Abia State weekend, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr.

Akinwumi Adesina, in his paper entitled; “Pro Vitamin A Cassava: A Revolution for Nutrition and Health in Nigeria” explained that the successes achieved in Nigeria with the control of the cassava mealy bug and cassava mosaic virus came from improved application of science, especially plant genetics and integrated pest management practices. continued