The Excutive Director/CEO National Root Crops Research Institute NRCRI, Umudike, Prof Chidozie Egesi says the Institute through a private partnership has established the Umudike Seeds Innovation center while the Umudike Foods Incorporate work, is in progress.
Prof Egesi who stated this while speaking to Journalists on the activities marking his one year in office and 100 years of the Institute, said that the company which would be supervised by an independent body, has the capacity to produce improved seedlings, root and tube crops.
The Executive Director reiterated the readiness of the institute to partner the Federal and State governments and other relevant bodies in enhancing improved seeds, agro business as well as make agricultural farm inputs available and accessible to farmers across the board.
Professor Egesi who assured that the research institute is committed to supporting agricultural revolution of the federal government through science and innovations- driven policies. Prof Egesi who further said that his administration has recorded a major research breakthrough on the genetic improved roots, tubers, improved seeds, explained that it also developed three new varieties of yam and four new varieties of potatoes that are nutritious to the consumer.
The Excutive Director said that scientists in the NRCRI were up to date in their research works and experiments, enumerating his achievements to include construction of a new office block for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Department as well as remolding of some dilapidated structures. Egesi rounded up by commending the management and staff of the Institute for their unalloyed support and cooperation and extolled the infrastructural giant efforts of the Governor Dr Alex Otti in Abia State.
