FED MINISTRY OF AGRIC TRAINS EBONYI FARMERS ON CULTIVATION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA
REPORTER: AMECHI ODO
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has urged farmers to adopt good agronomic practices in the cultivation of improved varieties of cassava stems for value addition in Ebonyi State.
The Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture in the state, Dr. William Obasi, gave the piece of advice during a capacity training for young farmers on the cultivation of carotene vitamin A infused cassava stems.
The beneficiaries, who were drawn from various farmer clusters in Ebonyi State, were provided with both theoretical and practical knowledge on the cultivation of the new variety of cassava with each going home with five bundles of its stem.
The Director who was represented by an Assistant Chief Agriculture Engineer, Mr. Jude Omebe, noted that the Federal Government was keen towards developing the capacity of youths to embark on commercial agriculture.
He emphasized that the beneficiaries would be provided with extension services to guide them in the cultivation of the carotene cassava for improved value derivation.
The Programme Manager, Agricultural Development Programme in the state, Mr. Gabriel Odo, and Mr. Joseph Inaku from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture Abuja said cassava production in the country was low and required good agronomic practices for higher yield.
Director of Extension Services, Mrs. Virginia Ogwa, urged farmers in the communities to embrace improved varieties of cassava stems as they had enormous benefits, including disease resistance.
Some of the farmers, including Mr. Ogbonna Nwagu and Mr. Uchenna Obasi, expressed appreciations to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
They noted that the sensitization was an eye opener in cassava cultivation.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
