WHAT IS YBP?
The Yam Badnavirus Project (YBP) is working to identify and track mealybug species affecting yam crops across Northern Nigeria. Yam is staple crop in Nigeria, producing two-thirds of the world’s yams annually, but is currently under threat from a variety of viruses including members of the genus Badnavirus that can cause yield losses as high as 50% if left unchecked. YBP aims to build capacity in yam virus and insect vector characterisation at Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero and to increase collective knowledge and understanding of yam viruses. This will help to predict the requirements for clean materials and ensure that yam remains a reliable food source across Nigeria.
WHAT ARE ITS AIMS?
The project focuses on the following objectives:
- To set up a molecular diagnostic laboratory
- To increase human capacity by training
- To carry out cassava disease surveys
- To evaluate cassava varieties for resistance to EACMV-Ug and West Africa cassava whiteflies
- To evaluate cassava varieties for resistance to CBSD and East Africa cassava whiteflies
WHO IS DELIVERING YBP?
- Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero (KSUSTA)
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
- National Resources Institute, University of Greenwich (NRI)
- National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI)
Dr Aliyu Turaki
Project dates:
2015–2019
Crop(s):
Yam
Project focus location(s): Nigeria