The National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) in Nigeria has made significant strides in transforming the country’s agricultural sector through innovative crop breeding techniques. By partnering with CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural research organization, NRCRI has developed improved root and tuber crop varieties that are climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutritious.
“We’ve adopted a stage-gated breeding model, particularly for cassava, which sets clear milestones or ‘gates’ that guide the variety development process, ensuring each step aligns with the Target Product Profiles defined for Nigeria’s root and tuber crops,” said a NRCRI breeder.
This approach has brought greater transparency and accountability to the breeding process, allowing for real-time adjustments and improved monitoring of progress. The institute has also secured a $170,000 subgrant from the CGIAR Accelerated Breeding Initiative to address priorities in its breeding modernization plans and scale up breeding operations for key cassava, yam, sweet potato, and potato market segments in Nigeria.
“The Product Design Team approach ensures that our breeding efforts are focused on the most impactful projects, while helping us strategically target investments and attract additional international financing,” said a NRCRI official.
The partnership between NRCRI and CGIAR is transforming the way crops are bred and delivered to those who need them most, setting new benchmarks for crop development and improving food security in Nigeria and beyond. With a focus on developing varieties that meet the market needs of today and anticipating the demands of the next 5 to 10 years, NRCRI is poised to make a lasting impact on the country’s agricultural sector.