The state coordination office of FG/IFAD VCDP has organized a-one-day knowledge sharing for stakeholders aimed at developing cassava value chain.

The workshop, which has its theme as “Enhancing productivity and market opportunities for cassava value chain Development”, took place at the Agricultural Development Programme office in Awka, with participants drawn from across the state.

Agric correspondent Ebele Ezeh reports that  the conference hall of the state Agricultural Development Programme office in Awka overflowed with Agric stakeholders, who converged to share and garner knowledge on value addition to agricultural produce.

Declaring the workshop open, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu urged FG/IFAD VCDP to intervene in the development of other crops value chain in addition to rice and cassava, whose value chains have continued to contribute to the state GDP and as well reduced unemployment.

Professor Chukwukwelu represented by the Acting Director Planning, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Chinyere Nwabachili listed farmers capacity building,  availability of information and improved seedlings as the road map to achieving food sufficiency.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Nnamdi Onukwuba, disclosed the readiness of the Ministry to embark on aggressive training of Extension Service Officers from the state down to local government level.

Commissioner Onukwuba also stated that the ministry has planned to address the state traditional ruler’s council during their meeting to request each of them to donate land in their various communities for the cultivation of the crops they have comparative advantage on.

The state Programme Coordinator, FG/IFAD VCDP, Mr. Nnamdi Agwuncha while presenting the achievements of the programme in the state, said they invited a lot of stakeholders from the government cycle, the private sector, farmers and the public to hear from them, the challenges that militate against cassava from taking its pride of place as rice.

On his part, the state Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, Mr. Henry Anagboso revealed that the knowledge sharing was a step down of same workshop they attended at the national level, urging participants to put into practice all that they garnered to achieve the set target.

For some of the participants, including Mr. Felix Anigbogu, a cassava farmer from Umueri, Anambra East Council Area and his counterpart from Awka North, Mrs. Oluchi Uzokwe appealed for funds, land preparation, tractors and sensitization of the general public on yellow root cassava and its health benefits to forestall post-harvest losses.

The workshop, which was more of an interactive session , climaxed with award presentations, question and answer session.

No related posts.