By Senator Onyekwere.
The Wife Of the Organizing Secretary Of the Ruling Party In Nigeria,All Progressives Congress (APC) Imo State Chapter, Dr Mrs Ogechukwu Anulika Umeh on Tuesday delivered the 11th Faculty Lecture And 3RD in the Young Geniuses Series in Faculty Of Agriculture Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka , Nigeria.
The Topic was “Improving Underutilized Indigenous Crops In South Eastern Nigeria”.A Panacea To Food Security.
Dr Ogechukwu while presenting the lecture said that food security means having a enough food to eat and to have access to quality food.
Ogechukwu noted that the International Center For Underutilized Crops (ICUC) and a range of Stakeholders defined Neglected Underutilized Crops (NUCs) as “Crops with Under-exploited Potential for contribution to food security, health, income generation and environmental services.
The Faculty Lecturer pointed out that one of the importance of Underutilized Indigenous Crops is that they are superior in Nutritional Composition, adding that neglected and underutilized crops species are generally considered superior in Nutritional Composition compared to the most frequently consumed food crops.
According to her Improving Underutilized Indigenous Crops In Southeast Nigeria is a crucial step towards achieving food security in the region and regretted that the crops have been neglected for long despite their potential to provide sustainable and nutritious food for the growing population.
She recommended that Agricultural Faculties in Southeast Nigeria especially the Crops Science Department should consider carrying out research on Underutilized Indigenous Crops to identify their potentials.
She further recommended that indigenous food restaurants should be established in all Universities in the Southeastern Nigeria and free rentage given to such established and Agricultural Market gardens should be established in all Universities in Southeast Nigeria where underutilized indigenous crops and food are sold.
In his speech the Acting V.C of the University Prof Joseph Ikechebelu who was represented by Director Academic Planing, Prof Angela Ufele thanked the Faculty of Agriculture for Organizing such a wonderful lecture and urged the participants to pay attention.
Also speaking the Chairman of the event Prof Gabriel Onyenegecha from Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) said that the lecture will go a long way to offer an opportunity for the participants to proffer an idea and solution towards improving Underutilized Crops.
In her speech the Dean Faculty Of Agriculture UNIZIK ,Prof Cordelia Ebenebe said that the purpose of the lecture was to ensure food security in Southeast and to enhance the Agricultural potentials of Underutilized Crops.
Also speaking the Husband of the Faculty Lecturer and the Organizing Secretary Of APC in Imo State, Hon Ikechukwu Sunday Umeh Commended the Organizers of the event for their efforts to ensure the success of the event.
Hon Umeh stated that the lecture has showcase the Agricultural potentials of Underutilized Indigenous Crops In Southeast Nigeria .