Scientists Research Nigeria’s Okra, Maize, Four Other Crops During NASA’s Space Mission

International astronauts will research six indigenous Nigerian crops and seeds during the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Crew-11 Mission.

The crops selected by NASA are okra, cowpea, Guinea corn (sorghum), amaranth, maize, and melon. They would be studied to understand their behavioural patterns towards climate resilience, food security and the future of agriculture in space.

NASA is an independent agency of the U.S. government responsible for its civil space programme, aeronautics research and space research.The Crew-11 Mission, Ale said, will blast off from the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, championed by Jaguar Space.

Dr. Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), stated this on Thursday in a statement issued in Abuja.

This mission carries the World Seeds Payload, a groundbreaking international agricultural experiment spearheaded by Jaguar Space, with contributions from eleven emerging space-faring countries, including Nigeria.

“Nigeria’s contribution to this landmark mission includes six indigenous crop seeds, okra, cowpea, Guinea corn (sorghum), amaranth, maize, and melon, which are selected for their nutritional and agricultural significance.

“These seeds will be studied aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to explore their behaviour under microgravity, contributing to research on climate resilience, food security and the future of agriculture in space,” Ale said

Ale said this was the first time Nigeria would participate in such a mission with a biological payload flying aboard a crewed NASA mission to the ISS.