Date Palm Research

Improved elite date palm varieties which comes into fruiting after three years of planting.

Genetic improvement

Improved elite date palm varieties, which come into fruiting about 3 years after planting into the field, have been selected and are now being released to farmers.

A wide germplasm of the date palm has been collected and conserved in the genepool for breeding purposes.

Well known commercial varieties have also been introduced into the germplasm through introductions from Israel and Namibia. The floral biology of the crop is now clearly understood, and controlled pollination techniques to ensure production of seeds with desired characteristics have been worked out.

Impact

The release of the superior date palm variety has created increased awareness of date palm cultivation in Jigawa State and other date palm growing states of Northern Nigeria, with a resultant increase in demand for date palm seedlings. The institute raises date suckers using the superior genetic lines for distribution to farmers.

Date Palm

Agronomy, soils and crop protection

Techniques for raising nursery seedlings have been worked out Some soils of the date palm belt have been characterized Insect pests of date palm have been identified and integrated methods of control involving use of pheromones and chemical baits have been studied.

Processing technology

Development of techniques for preserving and packaging of date fruits to ensure longer shelf life, and enhance marketability. Procedures for producing date juice and wine using date fruits have been worked out. Design and fabrication of a date fruit juice extractor.

Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) enjoys substantial international standing as a major world centre in oil palm research. The Institute’s achievements and reputation, derive from its highly trained scientific staff, a well established experimental station infrastructure with functional facilities, and a tradition of scholarship and relevant research.

Contact Us

Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research
P.M.B. 1030,
Benin City,
Nigeria
Email :info@nifor.org.ng
Working Hours : 8:00am – 4:00pm