Home

Damian Ndubuisi Njoku

Damian Ndubuisi Njoku

Damian  Ndubuisi Njoku graduated as an Agronomist in 1999 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Nigeria. He is currently preparing for his PhD programme in crop physiology at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.

Damian received his grant of £3,000 to support him obtain a three months training  at Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, South Africa (http://www.fabi.up.ac.za/). He will be trained on advanced molecular tools on crop drought tolerance.

He has attended conferences and workshops on biotechnology both in Nigeria and South Africa. He is a member of biotechnology Society of Nigeria, NigBiotechNet-Group, Taxonomy/systematics Society of Nigeria and Agricultural Society of Nigeria.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2007

Cassava is one of the most important crops in unfavourable environment in developing countries where poverty is common and severe.  It is commonly cultivated in areas considered marginal for most other crops, with low-fertility soils and annual rainfall less than 60mm in semi-environments. It is considered a contributor to food-security against famine, requiring minimal inputs, and making it an important crop for drought prone areas.  The physiological responses of Cassava to water stress and possible mechanisms underlying its tolerance to drought have been the subjects of several studies (Connor and Cock 1981, Ekanyake and Githungure 2000, etc).  Nigeria is among the leading cassava producing countries in the world, with cassava production of 178,868,310 tonnes (FAO, 2001).  The greater part of Nigeria’s arable land lies in the Northern part of the Country, within the Sudan Savanna or semi and region.

Although very few genotypes have been identified by IITA and CIAT that are adapted to drought and they have been released to specific regions, it is necessary to understand the genetic and physiological traits that are behind the mechanisms that make cassava a famous drought tolerant crop for further progress and for the application of these principles in other crop breeding programs.

Research aim and objectives.

The primary purpose of the training for which grant was obtained was to learn how to characterize Nigeria cassava Landraces for a specific trait such as drought tolerance using physiological and molecular tools.  The aim of the training was to gain sufficient knowledge to start a project on using physiological, morphological and molecular markers to select and breed drought tolerant cassava plants in Nigeria.  The specific objectives for the training at the University of Pretoria as outlined in the proposal were:

  1. To become familiar with the techniques of carrying out a genetic diversity study.
  2. To screen Nigerian Cassava landraces  for polymorphism by using the 5S ribosomal RNA gene sequence and
  3. To set up a project plan for the identification of a drought tolerant cassava landrace using physiological and molecular tools.

Dissemination and Uptake

  1. I intend to give a combined seminar at my Institute, the University and College of Agriculture within my catchments areas.  This allows easy dissemination of the technology to education practitioners and students.
  2. By holding workshops with plant breeders at various agricultural research institutes in the my country, Nigeria.  This allows plant breeders to become aware of other techniques useable in breeding for drought tolerance.  They are direct beneficiaries of the expected outputs and will be encouraged to transfer these benefits to the resource poor farmers through the development of drought tolerant cultivars.
  3. By providing a research report from my Institute to Ministry of Agriculture.  This will be in order for incorporation of the technology into the presidential initiative on cassava production, processing, utilization and export.  In this way the technology will reach the wide audience and farming population of the nation and the region.
  4. Having the prospect to become a possible author or co-author on scientific publications on International journal, with the University of Pretoria (Prof. Kanert) and Case Western Research University (Prof. Cullis).  For instance I isolated and sequenced a 5S ribosomal RNA gene sequence from Cassava.  This has not yet been published.  As a first step we will deposit the sequence on a public DNA sequence database.

However the following impacts can be achieved within 5 to 10 years.

A  Impact on the identified research problem.

  1. Transfer of the techniques developed in the well-studied crops such as legumes and cereals systems to cassava, which is of economic importance to Nigeria (and Africa in general)
  2. Development of markers to be incorporated into a breeding program for Nigeria developing highly drought tolerant varieties of cassava.
  3. Interaction with plant breeders in Nigeria to utilize the results to develop new cassava varieties.

B.  Impact on the Institutional Capacity building.

  1. Introduction of a research culture into the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
  2. Introduction of advanced technologies into the experience of undergraduate and graduate studies.
  3. Encouragement of investment into research capacity building in plant biotechnology through all levels of students and faculty.

C.  Impact on the Personal and professional development/motivation.

  1. Increasing the range of technological skills in the trainee’s research repertoire.
  2. Allowing the set up of a network in science outside Nigeria.
  3. Allowing the establishment of a long-term sustainable research program.
  4. Based on the publication record and also attraction of funding will lead to promotion to a Senior research officer at National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Nigeria.
  5. I have applied for a Ph.D at University of Nigeria Nsukka, to study plant breeding and to research on drought tolerance on cassava. Profs. Kunert and Cullis will be my co-supervisors(external) while Professor Uguru will be supervising me from Nigeria. This interest/zeal to further my education was motivated by my experience at University of Pretoria and under the sponsorship of Orskov foundation.
  6. I have just returned from a training workshop organized and sponsored by Kirkhouse Trust UK, hosted at University of Ghana, Legon. I was selected for the training because of the experience I got from UP and under Orskov foundation Award. The training was on Characterization of Genetic Resources by marker assisted selection (MAS). I hope to put all these into use for the benefit of all especially, Nigerian farmers.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2008

Congratulations to Damian who was selected for a scholarship at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana (http://www.wacci.edu.gh).

»