Plateau farmers in Nigeria worry over scarcity of Acha seeds

Plateau State is renowned for its agricultural activities, with a focus on cultivating the nutrient-rich grain, Acha. This grain is valued for its high calcium content and numerous health benefits. However, farmers are finding it challenging to obtain improved varieties of Acha, which are scarce and hard to access. The National Cereal Research Institute has developed two superior varieties with higher yield and resistance to pests, but their availability is limited. Farmers face various challenges, such as a lack of fertilizers, pest and cattle issues, and heavy rainfall, which affect the crop. They also noted that the cost of the seedling has increased significantly. Farmers suggest that spraying weed-control chemicals before planting can help achieve a weed-free farm. They are seeking government support to improve the accessibility of improved Acha varieties to boost cultivation.

Plateau State is notable for its agricultural activities, particularly because of favourable weather for vegetable, fruits and other crops. Prominent among the crops is Acha (fonio), and it is one of the leading states in its cultivation in the country. Acha is said to contain zinc, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phenylalanine, tyrosine and other vital amino acids, and it is rich in energy, aids digestion, is good for cardiovascular function, and is good for diabetics. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has described Acha as a grain with very high calcium content. Plateau State has been cultivating Acha for decades, particularly using the traditional varieties. However, there are new and improved varieties which give better output, but the farmers lamented that they are scarce and not easily accessible to them. The National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI) had, in the past, developed, registered and released two Acha varieties, namely NCRIACH 1 and ...