The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, Oyo State has distributed over a metric tonne of new maize variety, to farmers in order to avert maize scarcity.
He maintained that the distribution was to ensure that young people key into farming, in order to avert food scarcity in the state and in the country in general.
Egbetokun was accompanied by Seed Officer of IAR&T, Dr. Julius Olasoji; Mrs. Folake Anjorin; and Head of Public Relations Unit of the institute, Mr. Adeniyi Amusat.
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The Leader of the IAR&T maize distribution team, Dr. Olugbenga Egbetokun, spoke with journalists as reported by the newspaper, during the distribution of the maize called ART/98/SWY-1, to farmers in Atiba, Oyo East Council and those at the IAR&T adopted village of Oniyo Eleruwa village in Orire Council area.
He said, “The name of this variety is ART/98/SW1-Y. Meaning that it is a yellow material and the maturity period is 75 days which is 2 and half months. It contains protein which every human being need for proper functioning of nerve and general metabolism and it is very good for lactating mothers, children and even for the aged ones”.
He “So far we have target to distribute one metric tonne of this variety to maize farmers who are youth and women, in each of the zone according to categorization of ADP in Oyo State, we are picking 50, 50 young farmers and women in the zone and we are giving them 2 KG of this variety. 2 KG each to farmers.”
The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) is one of the foremost National Agricultural Research Institutes in Nigeria.
