Institute makes case for standard in millet production

The International Crops Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics, on Tuesday, emphasised the need for the production and standardisation of millets across the country.

The Country Representative, ICRISAT, Angarawai Ignatius, spoke at the validation workshop on micronutrient standards and other specifications for millet varieties release and registration in Nigeria in Abuja.

In Nigeria, the two major types of millet cultivated are pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and finger millet (Eleusine coracana). Pearl millet is the most widely grown millet variety in Nigeria, especially in the northern states

Ignatius described millet as a crop that would sustain humanity during climate change, hence the need for high standardieation to aid healthy living.

He said, “We have a challenge with climate change and increase in global warming. But by forecast, millet, especially the pearl species, is the only crop of the future that can survive in 45 degree centigrade.

“Last year, when the UN had a resolution, they declared 2023 as an international year of millet aside its climate resilience. It helps humanity to survive, especially those that live on dry land.

“It is a tradition in India that when a lady marries, she should be fed for a year, minimum of six months because they value millets consumption.

“What we are focusing on in Nigeria is to see how we can standardize the release process of pearl millet production and have it commercially available.”

The Director General, HarvestPlus Nigeria, Yusuf Dollah, noted that the organisation has been developing biofortified crops such as millets which are rich in zinc and iron, adding that it was heading for a phase to raise its level of standard in production.

Dollar explained, “For over 10 years, Harvest Plus has been promoting biofortified crops which are developed to have micronutrients and vitamins so that when consumed by mostly the vulnerable groups, they can have access to the vitamins for healthy growth.

“We have the iron and zinc millet, and we have also commenced work on the development of zinc rice.

“But as we promote these varieties, we need to look at the technicalities in services that will strengthen these values change in Nigeria.

“One of those technicalities is standard so that if we are releasing any variety as bio fortified crops, there should be a minimum standard of micro nutrients and vitamins that the variety should have as a bio fortified crop.”

The Chairman, Technical Sub-committee Crops; National Committee on Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Shehu Ado said, “Now that Nigeria is promoting food security, there is a need for the standardization of the quality of varieties of millets.

“For standardisation to take place, the pearl millet should be breed so that the genotype in the plant will generally be able to produce a high amount of iron and zinc.”