The Federal Minister of Agriculture and Food Security has carried out a one-day capacity training workshop for farmers in Enugu State on improved cassava stem variety cultivation and its pest control.
Speaking at the opening of the event held in a demonstration farm in Owo community, Nkanu East Local Governmental area, a Director in the Federal Ministry Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Andrew Edike, advised farmers to adopt good agronomy practices in the cultivation of improved varieties of cassava stems.
According to him, this was to guarantee more yield per hectare and rugged cassava produce for value addition in Enugu State.
He maintained that the Federal Government was determined to develope the capacity of youths and women as they embarked on commercial agriculture.
“The beneficiaries of this capacity building will be provided with extension services to guide them in the cultivation of the current cassava stem, made available, for improved yield and value derivation,” he said.
A resource person at the training, Mrs Emelda Akpan, who educated the participants on the new method of planting cassava, pest and disease control, described cassava as an important and profitable crop for farmers.
Akpan advised farmers in the area to embrace improved varieties of cassava stems as they had enormous benefits and gave more yield per hectare.
The program Manager, Enugu State Agricultural Development Program ENADEP, Dr Ogbonna Onyeishi who commended the Enugu State Government for their support to farmers in the state observed that cassava production in the Country was low and required good agronomic practices for high yield.
Some of the beneficiaries including the Traditional Ruler of Ohani Amechidodo, Igwe Hycienth Edeani, thanked the ministry for the training, adding: “This training remains an eye opener for me and my subjects”.
The high points of the training included: distribution of bundles of improved cassava stems to farmers as well as extensive practical demonstration of planting methods of improved cassava variety and best way to control pest control.
