Plan Underway To Revive   Indigenous Foods, Animals, Trees, And Craftsmanship  In Tarok Land

Yakubu Busari

The National President of Ngwang Ishi O’Tarok,(NIO), Amb.Nanpon  Shini has disclosed plans are underway toward reviving back the indigenous food  Crops, Economic Trees, and plants of economic importance and cultural heritage that are on the verge of extinction in Tarok Land.

He set up Committee on Research and Development on how to reposition and revamp back cultural decay through the National Body of Ngwang Ishi O’Tarok, among other committees, and also to seek for partnership and synergy with Research Institutes, Traditional rulers as well as Professional organizations across the States in order to safeguard the situation.

In bringing to the limelight this brilliant idea, he said he was promised that the task bestowed on the committee would be carried out with all seriousness.  He particularly appreciated members for their sacrifice and posited that it’s not in vain as the end result will be beneficial to all.

The Committee  Chairman, Mr. Nandom Abu, commended the foresight and visionary leadership of National President NIO for finding him a worthy ambassador to correct the past mistakes in Tarok land.

He admonished members to live up to the expectations of the NIO  that found them worthy to be appointed in order to deliver on the task ahead.

He assured that the committee will bring up a recommendation that will be acceptable to the Tarok nation in order to boost the economic development in the area.

The Chairman also hinted that the group will be working in collaboration with the two Local Government Areas,   the Traditional Council, stakeholders, and the relevant agencies domiciled in Lantang -North, and South to interface with them on the way forward.

He stressed that in no distance time all indigenous food crops, Economy trees, and plants, if are not properly harnessed and documented,  will soon go into extinction.

According to him, the research would not be limited to the localities, but across the state,  aimed at boosting economy fortunes and industrialization within the Tarok land.

Meanwhile, towards fulfilling its mandates, the Research and Development had interfaced with the Research Institutes located in Langtang and Traditional rulers respectively to fashion out modalities to improve on the existing indigenous food crops, industries, etc, as well as to enhance modern technology.

During the interactive session with the heads of various Federal Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in the Local Government Areas, Chairman Nandom Abu, applauded the agencies to heed and avail themselves of the interaction.

The head of the Bioresources Development Centre (BIODEC), under the supervision of the National Biotechnology Development Agency, Mr. Bernard Eche commended the initiative for the interface describing it as very apt.

According to him, the National Biotechnology Development Agency is basically to improve on the production of plants and animals through research work.

 He stated that since the establishment of the centre, it has set in motion plans for research on some indigenous plants which are going extinct, which include, Amora, Shea butter, Aquaculture, and Tissue culture amongst others.

Mr Eche however called for the partnership to drive the system.

On his part, the head of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research  FIIRO, Kumba Jude said the agency, is saddled with the responsibilities such as, , Food preservation and processing, assisting in accelerating the industrialization of food production, fabrication of machines for the production and preservation of food, and training on best chemicals use for preservation.

He mentioned that the agency had a breakthrough in cassava and yam processing technology, Tomato preservation technology, and fish smoking technology respectively.

Also speaking, the head of ZASTAL, Mr. Gyang Davou said the agency aids research in all aspects of life, pointing out that they have captured soil type in the southern zone as well as mapped out crops and natural resources in the areas.

Mr. Niya Dukbut who is the head of National Research for Chemical Technology all domiciled in Langtang, said the agency is innovative research,  development, and processing and conversion of raw materials into valuable chemicals, petrochemical production as well as industrial applications.

The  Committee also have an engagement with the Traditional council at the Ponzhi Tarok palace to create awareness /advocacy on the current trend in technological innovations and to enable them to take advantage of the various agencies situated in Langtang to explore the rich cultural heritages of Tarok to the wider society and also embrace it for economic development purposes.

Being the custodian of people’s culture and tradition, the Chairman of the Committee stressed that, there is a need for the traditional rulers to sensitize their subjects to embrace new methods of doing things to improve the standard of their living.

In his response, the Acting Chairman, Joint Tarok Traditional Council,  and the Ponzhi Zini, HRH.  Nimnan Langnim represented, Commended the laudable initiative of the NIO for setting up this committee to bring to the limelight some of our forgotten history in Tarok nation.

He promised that their doors are wide open to providing the needed support the Committee requires in order to enhance the culture and tradition of Tarok land as well as promotion of indigenous food crops, animals production, indigenous technologies, and Artisan /craftsmanship, amongst others.

The Committee said it had provided a template that would be carried out in two phases to serve as a guide so as to come out with a recommended policy document that would be presented to National body of Ngwang Ishi O’tarok,  for effective implementation.