Food security: FG trains cassava farmers, extension workers

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has begun training of cassava farmers and extension workers in the country as part of the effort to bridge the gap in the production of cassava to satisfy domestic and commercial needs of Nigerians. 

Mr. Daniel Odogbo, Assistant Director, Department of Agricultural Extension, who disclosed this at a training workshop organised for 20 extension agents in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, said 25 farmers would be empowered in each of the participating rural communities.

“The assignment will cover six cassava growing states of Benue, Nasarawa, Ondo, Ekiti, Abia and Imo, targeting 500 farmers per state,” he said.

Odogbo noted that the training which is being conducted in partnership with Sledge Consulting Limited would the government to fulfill its vision of food security, general export, support sustainable income and job growth, as well as build capacity of trained farmers on selected agricultural value chain, which includes cassava.

“Cassava production in Nigeria is increasing at three per cent every year, but Nigeria continues to import starch, flour and sweeteners that can be made from cassava. This paradox is due to how cassava is produced and consumed in Nigeria - largely subsistence and semi commercial. To increase farmers’ productivity, there is the need for farmers to adopt best practices and improved varieties that are suitable for ecology,” Odogbo said.

He added that increased activities would increase the capacity of farmers to generate more income, even in the production of wheat, maize, cowpea, among other staple foods in the country.

“In the absence of oil and gas, agriculture and solid materials are the two sectors expected to supply Nigeria’s foreign exchange needs through export. Therefore, commodities promoted for export include cassava, cocoa, cashew, ginger, sesame, oil palm fruits, vegetables and even yam,” he said.