Crops Extinction: Research Institutes Get Challenge

A geologist and renowned soil engineer, Mr. Olomom Joshua Edoni has challenged the various agricultural institutes in the country to device ways and means of checking the extinction of some important crops in the various communities of the country especially in the Niger Delta region.

Engr. Edoni who stated this in an exclusive interview with our Special Correspondent in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital over the weekend lamented the extinction of a variety of cocoyam commonly called the “Indian Cocoyam”.

He specifically called on the National stored products and Research Institute NSPI, and the Agricultural Research Institute at Umudike, Abia State and others to take the challenge in checking the decropping virus affecting the tropical Indian Cocoyam and Coconut tree in most parts of the rural communities in the Niger Delta region of the country.

Engr. Edoni who is an expert in soil science pointed out that some of the major factors which affect the life span of crops were gas flaring and soil virus.

He called on the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and all companies involved in oil exploration in the country to expedite action on the end of gas flaring in the country.

He further charged the NNPC and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to partner in the study of the soil texture of the region in order to save the life span of the two tropical crops.

On how soon he thinks gas flaring will come to an end in the country, the soil expert said he was of the view that government at various times has not used an holistic approach to the end of gas flaring.

He said except the campaign for the end to gas flaring was de-politised we may live with the menace for as long as oil last in the country.

It could be recalled that in 2010, a strange rain destroyed large Indian Cocoyam farms in various communities of the Niger Delta and ever since, the Crop has disappeared from the stable of farmers of this particular crops in the areas which the rain fell.