The Federal Government, on Tuesday, trained farmer groups and processors in the South-West zone on harvesting and processing techniques to enhance food sufficiency and boost farmers’ income.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
NAN also reports that the training had, as its theme: ”On-farm demonstration on maintenance, harvesting and processing techniques of some selected crops cooperative groups in South West”.
Speaking at the training in Ibadan, the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture in the ministry, Mr Agad Abubakar, said it was specifically tailored to empower participants and keep them abreast of various on-farm and off-farm activities.
Abubakar, represented by an official of the ministry, Mr Yahaya Abubakar, said the challenges confronting Nigeria in the area of food insecurity and malnutrition was well known by citizens.
He said that the demands of food in the country was ever increasing and it was imperative for Nigeria to strive to improve agricultural production to meet the food demands and make them available and affordable.
“Statistics have revealed that significant quantity of food is lost before and after storage, with losses up to 20 to 30 per cent of all grains and 30 to 50 per cent of root and tuber crops.
“These losses can be attributed to so many factors, among which is improper usage of farm machines, equipment, tools and harvesting techniques,” he said.
In her remarks, the ministry’s South-West Zonal Director, Mrs Olayinka Akeredolu, said that the training would enhance market competitiveness of locally-processed and packed produce.
According to her, it will support the country’s participation in African Continental Free Trade Agreement Area cooperation.
Akeredolu said that the ministry had made budgetary provisions for adequate capacity building workshop to equip participants with necessary skills and knowledge.
These, she said, would enable them have proper harvest, processing and packaging of their products, in line with global best practices.
“As beneficiaries of this capacity building, you are expected to pay attention to the training in order to train other members of your groups.
“You are expected to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the interaction to improve the quality and standards of your products, which will attract better market and premium value for you,” she said.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the ministry in Oyo State, Dr Florence Kakulu, said that the training would afford farmers more profits when they process and package their products than selling them raw.
“Adding value to agricultural produce will command respect of the product and ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria as well as provide more profit to farmers,” Kakulu said.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr Ayo Adepoju, Chairman, Cassava Cottage Processing and Marketing Association in Oyo State, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the ministry for the training. (NAN)
