Stakeholders call for increased in Rice, Cassava Mass Production

Participants at the continuous training for farmers on climate resilient practices have called for adoption of enhanced planting method to ensure increased productivity of crops, especially cassava and yam.

The training session which was held at ADP Hall, Ministry of Agriculture, Awka, was staged by Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in conjunction with Rawda Blueprint Ltd.

Some of the agricultural experts who described the crops as key to the nation’s economy,noted that intervention measures must be overcome changes in climatic conditions.

“To mitigate against climate change, certain practices must be adopted.These practices include efficient initiatives in water management, smart tillage, soil centred practices, crop mixtures, use of weather forecasting tools to guide on farmers operations, high planting materials and varieties.”

Declaring the training open,Minister for Agriculture, Mohammed Abubakar, represented by the State Director, FMARD, Arthur Mbuba, while describing agriculture as one of the major sources of the nation’s economic stay, called on all and sundry to venture into it to fight hunger.

He, then, urged the farmers to be very attentive and step down what they had learnt to the grassroots to optimal results.

The State Project manager, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP),Facilitator of the training,Jude Nwankwo, explained that the event was staged to address challenges being faced by farmers in crop production.

While calling for its sustainance,he reiterated his commitment to ensure effective extension delivery services to farmers to fulfill government’s objective of mass food production and economic survival.

Charles Ezendu of the Agricultural Extension Department, FMARD,said it was intended to build resilience to avoid a reoccurrence of last Year’s flooding that affected crops and food productivity across the nation.

He added that they would provide some inputs, seedlings and fertilizer for farmers this season to encourage mass food production.

Some of the trainers including,Matthew Okafor and Alex Izuakor,an Agronomics,noted that best practices should adopted in yam and cassava plantation taking into cognizance of site to grow, techniques as well as pest/disease control measures for bountiful yields.

Alex Izuakor,who was trained in yam production,urged the organizers to make the exercise a regular one,pledging to impact knowledge gained on other farmers.
He,then, appreciated the organizers for considering him worthy to benefit from the life changing training.