Biofortified cassava to improve nutrition in West Africa
Reading Time: < 1 minuteTHE “hidden hunger” caused by micronutrient deficiency is a global threat to human health, with particularly severe impacts in Africa. In Nigeria, 75 per cent of preschool children and 67 per cent of pregnant women are anemic, and 20 percent of children below five years suffer from zinc deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia affects the immune system, stunts growth and impairs cognitive development in children, while deficiency in zinc […]
Nigeria approves Bt cowpea commercialisation
Reading Time: < 1 minuteCOWPEA, also known as kacang tunggak in Malay may not be a key crop in Malaysia, but the Indians have long been using it in curry and vadai, the Malays add it in ketupat palas, while the Chinese mix it in stew. Like so many other crops, the cowpea faces threats from insects, fungi, bacteria and viruses. In Nigeria, [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ] Maruca pod-borer infestation […]
Golden rice to be available in Bangladesh soon
Reading Time: < 1 minuteBY SHAMIRA SHAMSUDDIN THE long wait for the realease of Golden rice in Bangladesh is almost over. The new variety of rice enriched with Vitamin A will be available in Bangladesh soon, said Bangladesh Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzak. According to Dailystar.net, [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ] Dhaka-based news portal,Abdur Razzak was talking to reporters after a meeting with International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) at the secretariat recently. […]
Biotech to the rescue of brussels sprouts
Reading Time: 2 minutesAN international team has identified the genes that make these plants resistant to the pathogen that attacks crops belonging to the cabbage family all over the world. “Surnames” aside, cabbages are grown nowadays all over the world. Like them, many other plants from the Brassicaceae family such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and even mustard -yes, […]