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The Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) is spearheading a drive toward the adoption of advanced genomic breeding technologies to significantly enhance crop productivity, bolster farmer livelihoods, and improve agricultural resilience against climate change. During a high-level workshop in Benin City titled 'Genomic Selection in Crop Improvement: Advances and Prospects for Nigerian Food Crops', Dr. Isona Gold, Executive Director of NIFOR, emphasized that modernizing breeding techniques has become an economic and environmental necessity.
Dr. Gold noted that increasing agricultural productivity is vital as climate change, rising populations, and rapid urbanization continue to put immense pressure on available arable land. Since its establishment in 1939, NIFOR has been mandated to provide scientific support for the value chains of oil palm, coconut, date palm, raffia palm, and shea trees. Currently, the institute has achieved annual palm oil yields of four tonnes per hectare on medium- and large-scale farms, and 3.5 tonnes for smallholders using only half the recommended fertilizer dosage. However, the new strategic goal is to push production to six tonnes per hectare annually, despite volatile climatic conditions.
Research achievements extend beyond oil palm; NIFOR has recorded yields of 200 coconuts per tree (approximately 40,000 nuts per hectare) and developed technologies enabling date farmers to produce over 30 tonnes of fruit per hectare. Dr. Gold also highlighted the economic potential of raffia palm, which can yield about 1,000 liters of sap per tree annually. He further identified Nigeria's Middle Belt region as a key area with untapped potential to support expanded oil palm production.
Technical experts at the workshop underscored the shift from conventional to genomic methods. Dr. Claude Bakoume of the International Society for Oil Palm Breeders explained that while traditional breeding is time-intensive across generations, genomic selection offers a more efficient pathway to identify superior plants. Furthermore, Dr. Rajinder Singh from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board highlighted the unique role of oil palm in global food and energy security, noting its ability to produce two distinct oil types from a single fruit bunch. Professor Dennis Vwioko added that genomic selection will bring a more systematic and traceable approach to breeding, ensuring long-term crop quality and disease resistance.
Source: Realnews Magazine