IFAD-VCDP TRAINS OVER 200 FARMERS, PROCESSORS & MARKET WOMEN ON RICE & CASSAVA STANDARD WEIGHT & MEASUREMENT IN ENUGU COMMUNITY

REPORTER: CHRISTIAN NWANGENE

The Federal Government-assisted International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has trained over two hundred farmers, processors and market women in Enugu State on the use of standard weight and measures for rice and cassava products.

At a workshop held in Orie-Orba Cassava Market, Udenu Local Government Area, the State Programme Coordinator, (SPC)
IFAD-VCDP,  Dr Edward Isiwu, urged the participants to apply adequate weight and measure systems to ensure effective service delivery.

Our reports that the focus of the training was to ensure uniformity of trade, check cheating and ensure standards.

Dr. Isiwu, represented by, the state Acting Business & Market Development Officer, IFAD-VCDP,  Mr. Arinze Omeje, noted that the training initiated by Enugu VCDP was part of its efforts to ensure that stakeholders were abreast with the latest practices in standard weight and measures.

Mr. Omeje demonstrated the use of weighing scale and advised participants to adhere strictly to the reading standard to avoid miscalculations and sharp practices that were inimical to the system.

In a presentation, the Chief Inspector,
Department of Weight & measures, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Abba Ogwu, represented by the Senior Inspector in the department, Mr. Eugene Ebhodaghe, who enlightened the participants on the benefits of standard weight and measures, urged them to apply the knowledge in selling their products to get value for their investments.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, the Chairman, Orie-Orba Modern Market, Chief Charles Ezeugwu, commended IFAD-VCDP for the initiative and implored the marketers to ensure proper utilization of the equipment.

Some of the participants, Mrs. Dorathy Ugwu,  Ijeoma Chikani, both of cassava farmers and the Liaison officer, IFAD-VCDP, Udenu LGA, Mr. Charles Ogbonna, said the workshop would help them to take stock of their investment and the benefits derived in the business, and commended IFAD-VCDP State Programme Coordinator, Dr. Edward Isiwu for bringing the training to them.

The same training was held in the five Local government areas where VCDP is currently intervening, which are Udenu, Aninri, Isiuzo, Nkanu East and Enugu East LGA.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU