By Chinyere Anyanwu
Eighty farmers, at the weekend, concluded a two-day training programme on maize production in Southern Nigeria courtesy of the Federal Government, through its Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).
The participants were trained on the new farming techniques of cultivating maize to increase the production of maize in South East, South South and South West regions.
Addressing farmers during the training in Enugu with a theme: “Emergency training and demonstration of climate resilient practices in maize production in the South East, South South and South West”, the state coordinator of FMARD, Mr. Peter Nwaogor, said the training was to educate farmers on the new farming technologies to increase production of crops.
He disclosed that the training would bridge gaps identified in the performance of extension agents who constitute major link and intermediary between farmers and research institutes and government.
“The two training sessions of farmers on maize value chain was also to equip them with new farming techniques to improve production in the zone, create jobs, reduce scarcity and increase their income.
“The agricultural extension service is being repositioned to help farmers and value chain operators to make effective use of modern agricultural advances in information technology/innovation plan to improve the livelihood of rural dwellers. Farming formulates, creates jobs and promotes sustainable agricultural, socio-economic development of our country,” he said.
He, however, urged the participants to pay attention to the expert, “Mercantile Global Concept Ltd” who was brought to enlighten them on the importance of the programme to ensure improved production of maize.
Earlier, the Programme Manager of Enugu State Agriculture Development Programme, Dr. Ogbonna Onyisi, stated that the training was to sensitise farmers in the maize value chain to improve their maize production.
Dr. Onyisi disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s choice of training southern farmers on the maize value chain was based on analysis of the comparative advantages of crops in different regions of the country.
He disclosed that the training was a Federal Government programme aimed at enhancing farmers’ production and reduce the cost of maize in the southern part of the county.