Asumugha, Godwin PhD.

       (Agricultural Economist)

       Programme Coordinator,

Mandate and Goals

Extension Services Programme of National Root Crops Research Institute is responsible for promotion, popularization and dissemination of relevant research findings developed by the Institute through the use of various strategic and cost effective contact methods. Specifically the Programme is anchored on the following activities:  

a)    Production of radio/television farm broadcasts/ programmes with major electronic media in the Southeastern Nigeria as well as the National Network Media Houses for the dissemination of Institute’s activities and technologies.

b)    Promotion and dissemination of the Institute’s new research findings through print media such as newspapers, magazines as well as the Institute own News bulletin.

c)     Development, revision and updating of Posters, Extension Guides, Leaflets on root and tuber technologies as well as others relevant to the farming systems of the Agro-ecological zones of Nigeria.

d)    Establishment and use of demonstration plots with improved production practices to showcase prototype on farm evidences of various technologies developed by the Institute for teaching myriads of students, farmers and other visitors that visit the Institute .

e)     Exposure and sensitization of youths and farmers to career prospects in modern agriculture through guided tours to NRCRI farms, laboratories, engineering and exhibition units.

f)     Promotion and projection of NRCRI relevance in National development through active participation in national and state agricultural shows, field days, trade fairs, and other public activities that provide platform for showcasing the institute technologies to potential end users.

g)    Upgrade and strengthen knowledge and skills of farmers on improved agricultural Production and post-harvest technologies through ad-hoc trainings, Adopted Villages/Schools Outreaches and Outgrower Scheme.

h)    Market Development and Extension Delivery for Processed Root/Tuber Products. These include development of Market Information System (MIS) on root and tubers to guide stakeholders.

i)       Adoption and Impact assessments of NRCRI disseminated technologies.

ACHIEVEMENTS 

1.)    Development, and revision of some 28 Extension Guides, and Leaflets on several subject matters in root and tuber crops.

2.)    Publication of several volumes of the Institute’s News Bulletin of agricultural information.

3.)    Production of series of radio/television agricultural programmes in four national & local media houses annually.

4.)     Establishment of demonstration Farm on improved root / tuber crops varieties such as

           Cassava: TMS 98/0505, TMS 98/0510, TMS 98/0581, TME 419, TMS 97/2205,   etc.                      

           Yam:  Chinese yam, Aerial yam, Water yam, TDR 625, TDR 89/2565, TDR 2660, etc     

           Cocoyam:  Ede ofe, Ede ocha, Ede uhie, Cocoindia, Gana and Okorokoro.
           Sweet potato: TIS 87/0087,   TIS 8164, Ex Igbariam,  CIP440168, Tanzania,   

           2532.OP.1.13, Orange flesh varieties.
           Ginger: UG I and UG II
           Mino root Crops: Turmeric:, Hausa Potato,  Rizga, Golden seal.

5.)   Demonstration of improved production technologies such yam minisett technique, yam staking methods, root/tuber based crops   

       mixtures.etc. 

6.)   Conducts over 3000 visitors including students  to guided tours to the Institute farms, laboratories and other facilities annually.

7.)   Facilitation of dissemination of improved roots and tuber crops technologies through the Adopted villages and Schools outreaches’ 

       projects established in two communities and two secondary schools within the Institute’s catchment localities.

8.)   Training of over 250 women groups on improved processing and value addition to root and tuber crops in the Institute’s

       Rural/Women Empowerment Programme.

9.)   Provision of relevant agricultural market information on root and tuber commodities to farmers and other end users.

10.) Numerous research findings on diverse socio-economic issues associated with impacts, livelihoods and gender studies, economics and  marketing of root and tuber commodities as well as farmers awareness, adoption and diffusion of root/tuber crops technologies

Future Research and Development Thrust

The future research and development activities in the Programme shall essential be anchored on the following project areas

• Promotion and Popularization of Root and Tuber Crops technologies through mass contact methods- Radio/TV, Guides, etc.

• Transfer of NRCRI Developed Technologies through Training programmes, Adopted Villages/Schools Outreaches and Outgrowers’ Scheme.  

• Market/Agro enterprise development for roots & tubers and their Processed Products including the development of Market Information Services.

• Adoption and Impact assessments of NRCRI Disseminated technologies

• Rural/Women empowerment programme.

• Value Chain Analyses of Root and Tuber crops in Nigeria

NAMES OF KEY SCIENTISTS IN EXTENSION SERVICES PROGRAMME AND THEIR E-MAIL ADDRESSES

For further information, contact

The Executive Director,

National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike,

 PMB 7006, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria 440001.

Email: nrcriumudike@nrcri.org

Office: +234 (0) 8062890630

or

The Programme Leader,

Extension Services Programme,

National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike

PMB 7006, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria 440001.

 Phone: Mobile: 2348035086533, 2348072875081

  E-mail: g.asumugha@nrcri.org, gnasumugha@yaho,o.com 

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