Tomato Agronomic Biofortification Project Holds Inception Meeting
By Emeka Oluka & Femi Dansu
The Tomato Agronomic Biofortification Project, a Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund)-National Research Fund (NRF) sponsored project has held its Inception Meeting to kick-start the project.
The meeting, was held on June, 26, 2024, at the College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT) Phase II Conference Room.
Speaking on the project titled, “Agronomic Iodine Biofortification of Tomato for Increased Farmers Income and Improved Human Health in Abeokuta and Kashere,” the Principal Investigator of the project, Prof. Akinola Popoola, briefed members on the genesis of the work.
He said, the Tomato Research Team of FUNAAB requested and received a National Research Fund from TETfund to implement the project in collaboration with the Federal University of Kashere (FUK), Gombe State.
He further explained that the project was aimed at addressing Iodine deficiency in human nutrition by enriching tomato fruit with iodine through soil amendment regimen.
Prof. Popoola said that the diet of over two-thirds of the world’s population lacked one or more essential micronutrient elements, including Iodine, which has become urgent in our nutritional awareness at a time when families are avoiding (iodised) salt intake due to coronary heart diseases.
The Principal Investigator added that Iodine deficiency impairs thyroid function and results in a wide spectrum of disorders negatively affecting growth and development at various levels.
He added that all age groups are susceptible, ranging from damage to the fetus, perinatal and infant mortalities, endemic goitre, irreversible mental retardation, and brain damage as the deficiency is largely related to the environment and was widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Nigeria in particular.
Prof. Popoola also submitted that the work was a value-addition project in the production line of tomatoes that addresses Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda Number 1 (No poverty), Number 2 (Zero hidden hunger), and Number 3 (Good health and well-being).
Prof. Popoola said the project maintained a near-gender balance of five male and four female team members in compliance with SDG Agenda Goal Number 5 (Gender Equality and Women Empowerment).
He concluded by submitting that the project sustainability was embedded in a regular Screenhouse operation with drip irrigation with the target to supply tomatoes to the two University communities – FUNAAB and FUK, at a moderate price, irrespective of season and time of the year.
The project team members are Prof. Akinola Popoola, Principal Investigator; former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin; Dr. Mrs. Florence Olowokere; Dr. Olusegun Oduwaye and Dr. Sikiru Ganiyu.
Others are Dr. Samuel Orisajo; Dr. Chioma Adekunle; Dr. Anna Tidy; Mr. Biodun Akinbule and Mrs. Opeyemi Famakinde.
