IAR, AATF Scientists Develop Pod Borer Resistant Beans In Zaria

Scientists at the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, with support from the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has developed the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) beans.
This is sequel to concerns over the pod borer insect pest that has made it unrealistic for Nigeria to produce enough beans to feed its populace and for export as it continues to damage farms across the country.
The IAR and AATF Scientists who developed the PBR beans, embarked on nationwide demonstration of the crop and training of farmers and extension workers on good agronomic practices for the beans variety, so that the technology can be utilized maximally.
Speaking during the training, the Principal Investigator of the beans, Professor Ishiyaku Mohammed, stated that the nationwide demonstration is the platform through which farmers across Nigeria will have firsthand knowledge and test the ability of PBR bean to deliver on the promises made by scientists.
Mohammed explained that to actualise their aims, farmers, extension officers and agents from Bauchi, Jigawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Niger and Abuja were brought together for the training on PBR.
He explained further that some Nigerian seed companies were engaged also to multiply the beans seed, while the AATF inaugurated a Steward Committee for the crop as a way to further guide farmers on how to handle the crop.
“Just recently, an ‘Eating is Believing’ event was organized at the headquarters of National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), with the aim of preparing various delicacies with the beans variety and allowing the public to eat and experience the taste of this new beans variety”, he said.
He emphasised that the beans variety has the capacity to resist this pod borer insect pest, while increasing the yield of the bean with a low maturity period.
In their reactions during field visits, farmers that planted the crop expressed satisfaction with the performance of the crop, noting that some of them have started earning good living from planting the crop as a result of the high yield and low cost of managing it on the farm.