News

Vice Chancellor Plateau State University Bokkos Professor Matur Malau Bernard has stressed the commitment of the university in partnering with the National Root Crops Research
Institute Umudike to establish a pilot confine field trial centre in the university for the production of biotech potato resistant species to blight.
Professor Matur who disclosed this while handing over a site for the project at the Faculty of Agriculture building in the University expressed hope that farmers in Plateau State will benefit from the initiative through the use of research and technology that would increase their yeild and reduce pre and post harvest losses.
While appreciating the Federal Government of Nigeria, the National Roots Crop Research Institute Umudike and Plateau State Government for giving approval for the take off of the project, Professor Matur said the project will serve as a gateway to ensuring national food security.
He promised to provide adequate security and water supply to the pilot project site in order to fast-track the success of the pilot project.
Speaking earlier, Dean Faculty of Agriculture Plateau State University,Dr. Hosea Finangwai said the decision by the Faculty to enter into such a collaboration was borne out of the fact that enormous benefits would accrue in both teaching and research in addition to the facility being a training center for farmers in the state against potato prone diseases.
In his remarks, the Institutes Director , Dr Charles Amadi said the choice of Plateau State University Bokkos for the pilot project is deliberate because of the comparative advantage which Bokkos has as a potato production zone of Plateau State.
He said the Institute will work relentlessly towards finding lasting solutions to the problem of blight, which has resulted in collosal losses to farmers.
He said that by the time the project succeeds, problems associated with the importation of potato chips and flour would have been addressed because of the chain solutions that would result from the centre.
According to Dr. Charles Amadi, who was accompanied by the Scientific Officer of the Institute Mr. Kayha Suleiman, this is the first multi location study centre being undertaken by the Institute as the potatoes will be studied simultaneously at Mambilla and Bokkos and then released to the public.
In their goodwill messages, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Dr. Ezekiel Macham and other Board members of the Organization who were present said from all indications, Professor Matur is fully prepared to take Plateau State University to its desired development heights promising to also partner if given the opportunity

John K.Agam
Public Relations Officer