ABOUT CROP AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION UNIT

BACKGROUND:

This Unit is one of the oldest in the Institute. It started as Farm Management Unit under the supervision of the Station Management at the Headquarter in Moor Plantation, Ibadan to implement research and experiments for Scientists and produce seed. The stations were then located Ikenne (Ogun State), Ilora and Eruwa (in Oyo State), with livestock research in Fashola, Oyo State.

The Farm Management Unit (FMU) evolved to full-fledged Station Management Unit in 1973 and later upgraded to Seed Production and Testing Service (SPTS) in 1976. However, due to expansion in research, seed production activities, as well as personnel deployment of the Institute, more research stations were established and Seed Production, Testing and Certification Programme (SPT&CP) was formed. These went through several re-organisations and change of names till 2019, when the name Crop and Livestoc Production Unit (C&LPU) was adopted to accommodate production of Early Generation seed (EGS) of the mandate crops of the Institute, as well as grains and tubers of other crops for consumption and industrial uses.

COMPOSITION OF THE UNIT

The Unit is majorly operated in Four sections comprising of Administrative Office; Seed Processing and Storage Section; Seed Testing Laboratory and the Stations.

The Administrative office, Seed Processing & Storage Section, Seed Testing Laboratory and Ibadan Station are located within the Institute headquarters in Ibadan, while the other Eight Stations were located in various locations stretching from High Rainforest to the Southern Guinea Savannah Agro-ecologies of Nigeria.

The outstations are:

• Ikenne, Ogun State in High Rainforest agro-ecology

• Ile-Ife, Osun State in the Rainforest agro-ecology

• Imesi-Ile, Osun State in the Rainforest agro-ecology

• Orin Ekiti, Ekiti State in the Rainforest agro-ecology

• Ilora, Oyo State in the Derived Savannah agro-ecology

• Kisi, Oyo State in Southern-Guinea Savannah

• Ballah, Kwara State in Northern of fringe Guinea Savannah

• Kabba, Kogi State in Northern of fringe Guinea Savannah

The sections of the C&LPU and each station have complements of qualified staff comprising of Agricultural Technologies, Laboratory Technologists, Executive Officers, Tractors Operators and Field Staff. Each of the section is also equipped with relevant modern facilities for field activities, seed processing, seed quality assurance analysis, seed storage and warehousing

Unit Objectives

To provide support services to Scientists of the Institute and Collaborators in the establishment, management and ensure successful conduct of research projects of the Institute

To produce various classes of seed of the mandate crops of the Institute under recommended guidelines

To process, store and maintain both the genetic and mechanical purity of the produced seeds and ensure timely availability of the seeds for research and commercial purposes.

To provide technical backstopping and supports to relevant institutions such as Universities, Research Institutes, Seed Companies, Seed Growers, Farmers, Research Scientists and Students on crop and seed production related matters

To generate revenue for the Institute

Unit Focus

Provision of wider and adequate support for research activities within and outside the institute in accordance with the mandates of the Institute

Current Activities

Germplasm building of food crops in South Western Nigeria

Maintenance and Conservation of the Genetic Resources of the Food Crops of SW, Nigeria

Establishment and maintenance of research plots of Institute research projects

Early Generation Seed Production of the Institute mandate crops

Production of food crops for value addition and commercial purposes

Achievements

Yearly production of quality breeder and foundation seeds of kenaf, maize, cowpea, soybean for more than 50 years

Adequate provision of supports to research activities of scientists within the Institute and collaborators

Regular training of students under industrial training or SIWES from various institutions of higher learning

Provision of facilities and spaces for quality tests of seeds in the laboratory within the Institute

Services Rendered

Maintenance of genetic resources and making them available for use of scientists within and outside the Institute, and students in their research activities