WRITTEN BY EBELE EZEH
Five farmers from five Local Government Areas will embark on a forty- nine week training programme at the International Institute for Tropical Agric, II TA, Ibadan,
Oyo state before the end of this month.
The course, which will centre on production of certified seeds, is powered by the State Coordination Office of the Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP, IFAD -Assisted.
Based on the challenges faced by state farmers in sourcing certified seeds for high yield , the State Co- ordination Office of the Value Chain Development Programmed, IFAD assisted, has commenced the training of one hundred and twenty youths from the participating council areas, for the production of improved seeds.
Announcing this at Ifite- Ogwari, in Ayamelum, council area while monitoring the on- going pre- season step-down training for 2017 farming season , the Agric Production Officer, Value Chain Development Programme, Mr. Emmanuel Chukwukwelu, who described the five farmers as the second set to embark on the course, said they will complement the first set of five, who, according to him, had concluded their own training.
Mr. Chukwukwuelu noted that with the breeder seed provided for them by African rice, the problem of certified seeds will be nipped in the board.
He announced that they have concluded plans to supply their farmers with minor mechanized transplanted and seeder that will plant at right distances for high yield .
Speaking , the State Agro Technician, Value Chain Development Programme , Mr Ifeanyi Okoye, who commended Governor Obiano for throwing his weight behind the programmme, enjoined the farmers to channel all their challenges to their office for immediate redress.
On his part, the Value Chain Extension Agent for Ifite- Ogwari, Mr. Humphrey Nzekwu, said the pre-season step- down training is aimed at preparing the farmers for higher productivity.
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