By Olasunkanmi Olajide
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde on December 20, 2024, paid an inspection visit to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) sponsored Tomato Agronomic Iodine Biofortification Project, and he commended the Research Team for the significant progress made.
Prof. Kehinde lauded the Team for their efficient utilisation of the National Research Fund (NRF) received from TETFund in collaboration with the Federal University of Kashere (FUK).
He expressed satisfaction with the tangible outcomes of the project, emphasising the need for its sustainability to maximise its impact. He remarked, “TETFund will be impressed with the level of progress achieved. I encourage the Team to sustain the momentum and ensure the continuity of this project.” He also appreciated the Team’s dedication, reiterating the saying, “The reward for hard work is more work.”
The project titled “Agronomic Iodine Biofortification of Tomato for Increased Farmers’ Income and Improved Human Health in Abeokuta and Kashere” is led by Prof. Akinola Popoola of the Department of Crop Protection, College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT). According to Prof. Popoola, the project was aimed at addressing iodine deficiency, a major public health issue prevalent in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, which has caused thyroid-related disorders, including goitre, mental retardation, and brain damage.
The Team Lead, who is also a Professor of Plant Pathology, said that the project aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), and Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). He noted that the project also promoted Goal 5 (Gender Equality) with its near-equal representation of five male and four female Team members.
Prof. Popoola further stated that in its seventh week, the project’s Greenhouse houses over 800 Tomato plants, consisting of iodide-biofortified and non-iodide varieties. According to him, each plant has the potential to produce five kilogrammes of tomatoes, with an increase to eight kilogrammes achievable under optimal water conditions, supported by a drip irrigation system.
Meanwhile, the biofortified tomatoes would be Table-ready in a few weeks, marking another milestone in FUNAAB’s commitment to innovative agricultural research and development.
It would be recalled that the University recently recorded a groundbreaking success in mitigating tomato scarcity in Southwest Nigeria, with the 2ha Tomato Farm cultivated by the Farm Practical Year (FPY) students of the Centre for Community-Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS).
