Artemisia Research

Dr. Grace Luka

Research in horticultural crops has been part of Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) activities from the 1970s until 1987, the crop improvement aspect or research was withdrawn and, together with all germplasm material the Institute had, transferred to NIHORT. In 2013, the ARCN carried out a review of research programmes for all Institutes under its charge, and abolished any programme dealing with horticulture, including IAR’s HCRP, except for NIHORT. In order to save the existence of the HCRP, it was agreed to change its name to reflect the non-horticultural crop the programme was handling then, the medicinal (anti-malarial) plant, Artemisia, Thus, instead of deleting HCRP from the records, it was renamed as ‘Artemisia Programme’. The significant and unique fact about Artemisia programme is that it’s strategically important world-wide as source of Artemisinin from Artemisia plant biomass that is used in the manufacture of anti-malaria drugs.

The programme also has an orchard where horticultural seedlings of various local and exotic crops are maintained and fruits of various trees and fruits are produced. Training on horticultural practices; propagation methods, care and management of seedlings, soil mixture and transplanting procedures.

OUR VALUES

To generate, disseminate and impart agricultural technologies for enhanced crop production and utilization to achieve national self-reliance in food production and industrial raw materials and have surplus for export

OUR GOALS

Promote Artemisia production and industrial utilization in Nigeria health sector and restore the position of horticultural crops in nutrition, health, income generation and poverty alleviation of producing communities and the general populace.

LEADERSHIP/HEADSHIP

OBJECTIVE

To conduct research on the genetic improvement of Artemisia annua, identification and resolution of constrains in the production.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Coding for projects and sub-projects

PROGRAMME:                               E.                     ARTEMISIA RESEARCH

SUB- PROGRAMMES                    E.I                   Onion

                                                            E.II                  Pepper

                                                            E.III                Local Vegetables

                                                            E.IV                Ginger

                                                            E.V                  Tomato

                                                            E.VI                Citrus

                                                            E.VII               Mango

                                                            E.VIII             Grapes

                                                            E.IX                Miscellaneous Tree Crops

                                                            E.X                  Melon

                                                            E.XI                Pea

                                                            E.XII               Artemisia

                                                            E.XIII             Other Crops

PROJECT:    A.X./1- 6                     SUB-PROJECT        A.I.Y./…..

1. Variety Improvement                               1. Introduction, collection and maintenance

2. Screening

3. Hybridization and selection

4. Variety testing

5. Vegetative propagation

6. Seed multiplication

2. Cultural Practices and Management       1. Crop growth and development

2. Crop nutrition

3. Planting methods/Arrangements

4. Sowing dates

5. Mulching/Tillage practices

6. Weed control

3. Crop Protection                                         1. Disease control

                                                                                        2. Animal and insect pest control

4. Environmental Effect                               1. Water use

2. Temperature

3. Other Weather elements

5. Post-harvest Technology                          1. Crop drying

2. Crop threshing

3. Storage techniques

4. Processing

 6. Socio-economics of Production               1. Technology adoption

2.  Establishment of orchard

ARTEMISIA PROGRAMME STAFF LIST