IFAD-VCDP Training On Green Field Day Ends In Anambra , Targets To Establish Demonstration Farm At Azia

A step down training on green field day embarked upon by the Federal Government IFAD-VCDP has ended in the eight participating Local Government Areas.

The training, which lasted for eight days is aimed at bequeathing to farmers the proper field knowledge.

It took place in Ayamelum, Anambra East and West, Orumba North and South, Awka North, Ihiala and Ogbaru Local Government areas.

A team of supervisors from the state co-ordination office of IFAD-VCDP visited the different centers across the eight benefiting Local Government areas.

On arrival at a rice farm in Ufuma, one of the centers in Orumba North Local Government area, some farmers were seen in their farms practicing the knowledge they garnered.

Addressing them, the State Agric Production Officer and team leader, Federal Government IFAD VCDP Mr. Emmanuel Chukwukwelu charged them to put into practice all that they garnered to achieve this year’s target of between eight tons and thirty tons of rice and cassava respectively per hectare.

Mr. Chukwukwelu charged them to continue to step down the training until all the farmers are on the same page.

At Ihiala council headquarters, center for cassava farmers and Umuohi Okija Youth Center for rice, farmers were seen in their numbers brain storming on best measures to adopt for improved production.

Addressing them, an Agro Technician, Federal Government/IFAD VCDP and member of the supervising team, Mr. Ifeanyi Okoye, announced that they will establish a demo farm at Azia to serve as a practical training center on best technology practices in cassava production.

In his lecture, one of the lead farmers, Mr. Donatus Okoli while urging them to embrace ridging method of farming due to its comparative advantage to mounding however stressed the need for strict compliance to eight centimeter spacing in cassava farming.

When the team arrived Central School Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government area, resource persons for rice and cassava, Mr. Livinus Nwedu and Mrs. Uzozie Ogbonia were seen exchanging ideas on best measures to improve their production starting with the sourcing of improved seedlings.

In their separate reactions, some of the participants, including Mr Nwachukwu Ossai and Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ogbonna, who expressed joy over the training, appealed for further training on financial management and comprehensive planning in agriculture.