Nigerian Government train youths, women on green maize enterprise

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMFS) has trained 60 women and youths in Plateau and Kaduna States on green maize enterprise.

The minister, Abubakar Kyari, culture, said during the training in Kaduna on Thursday, that the goal was to boost maize production in the two states and crash the prize of maize in northern part of the country.

Kyari, who was represented by Mr Bruce Asaleke, Director, Agric Extension in the ministry, said that the training would educate small holder farmers on all year green maize farming.

He explained that the farmers would also be trained on maize value chain and equip them with new farming techniques to improve production in the county.

He said that the goal was to create jobs, reduce scarcity, and increase the farmers’ income.

This, according to him, will boost their capacity and increase production of maize, as part of the government’s efforts to empower women and youths in the country.

The minister said that the ministry was working assiduously to ensure food and nutrition security in the country.

He described maize farming as a “lucrative business” that creates jobs, promotes nutrition and socio-economic development.

Kyari mentioned that the choice of Plateau and Kaduna was due to the availability of land and climatic conditions which favours maize production in the locations.

In his remarks, Mr Muhammad Rili, General Manager, Kaduna Agricultural Development Project (KADP), said that the training would improve the capacity of the famers to tap from the lucrative maize value chain.

Rili pointed out that maize, apart from serving as food, was equally a source of raw material for industries.

He said that the training was part of the Federal Government’s programme to enhance maize production and ensure affordability of the produce, particularly in the northern part of the country.

Ms Juliana Choji, a participant from Plateau, described the training as ”timely”, and promised to put the knowledge gained to practice for better yield and high returns on investment.

Another participant from Kaduna, Ms Fatima Usman, expressed optimism for a more rewarding investment in maize production.

NAN / Foluke Ibitomi