SON partners IITA on cassava weed project

The commitment by SON is amid growing concern over the threat of weeds to cassava production in the country which has kept productivity low and behind other cassava producing nations of Asia.“Innovations and standards are correlated. So we would want to collaborate with you,” Dr Odumodu said during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of […]

The commitment by SON is amid growing concern over the threat of weeds to cassava production in the country which has kept productivity low and behind other cassava producing nations of Asia.
“Innovations and standards are correlated. So we would want to collaborate with you,” Dr Odumodu said during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of SON in Lagos on 2 March.
The Cassava Weed Management Project which is managed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and implemented in collaboration with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and the University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM) is developing innovations that will reduce drudgery associated with weeding in cassava farms.
The project is exploring a mix of best agronomic practices, mechanical weed control and the use of environmentally friendly herbicides to tackle weeds.
Project Leader, IITA Cassava Weed Management Project, Dr Alfred Dixon, said research findings from the project would help reduce the burden faced by women and children.
“It is estimated that women spend about 500 hours per annum to weed and their children’s education in most cases is compromised as they are withdrawn from school to take care of cassava farms,” Dr Dixon explained.
He commended SON for agreeing to work with the research team and to bring on board SON’s expertise in the area of standardisation.
The Principal Investigator, IITA Cassava Weed Management Project, Prof Friday Ekeleme, said working with SON and other regulatory agencies would bring benefits to farmers.
He explained that weeds were major constraints to cassava, as they undermine the yield and productivity of the root crop.