News in brief: The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security trained 25 Ebonyi women and youths in modern cassava production techniques to enhance food supply and create jobs. Participants received cassava stems and praised the program’s potential to boost production and exports in Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has trained 25 Ebonyi women and youths on modern techniques of cassava production. Held in Abakiliki on Wednesday, the training was part of the Federal Government’s bid to boost food supply in the country and create jobs and wealth for the youths.
Dr Williams Obasi, a Director in the ministry, represented by an Assistant Chief Agriculture Engineer, Jude Omabe, said that the training was designed to help the participants learn about good agronomic practices for cassava farming.
A Senior Agriculture Officer in the ministry, Mr Inakwu Joseph, added that the participants were also trained on the processing and value addition of cassava.
Over 125 bundles of cassava stems were distributed to the participants at the end of the training, a news outlet reported.
Also, the Program Manager, Ebonyi State Agriculture Development Program, Mr Gabriel Odoh, commended the Federal Government for putting up the training workshop. He urged the participants to make use of what they have learnt and become employers of labor.
The participants were drawn from the 13 Local Government Areas of the state. One participant, Nwagu Ogbonna, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the Federal Government for the training and pledged to make the most of the knowledge acquired.
The training could go a long way in boosting cassava production in Ebonyi State. Also, there is a possibility of Nigerian farmers moving beyond producing just for domestic consumption and even exporting. Many analysts have pointd to the crop’s earning potential, especially because Nigeria is the world’s largest producer.
