The Executive Director, National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, Professor Ukpabi Joseph Ukpabi has charged 120 participants at the training programme for Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs, CSE 2021 to grow two to three varieties of Cassava including Pro-Vitamin A cassava to aide employment creation, poverty alleviation and food security.
Professor Ukpabi represented by the project leader of the institute and training coordinator, Dr Godwin Asumugha gave the charge while flagging off Cassava capacity programme on Monday 9th August, 2021 organised by National root crops research institute, Umudike in partnership with federal government of Nigeria cum international fund for agricultural development IFAD, assisted valued chain development programme, on the theme, “Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs 2021” for youths in 9 states held at Library complex of the institute Umudike Abia state.
Dr Asumugha
Professor Ukpabi stated that to further consolidate on the establishment of commercial cassava seed entrepreneurs (CSEs), this time among youths in Nigeria, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through The Federal Government of Nigeria has been assisting in Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD/VCDP)and in partnership with National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, is organizing the above training programme to build the capacities of about 120 youths as Cases in nine states of Nigeria as follows, Anambra, Venue, Ebonyi, Niger, Ogun and Taraba, while the first hub held from 1st to 7th August involved youths from Enugu, Kogi and Nasarawa States.
According to him, the trainings will cover aspects of good agricultural practices, pests and disease management, business and enterprise development strategies, as well as modern techniques and handling of cassava materials/plantlets including nutritional perspectives and benefits of producing Pro-Vitamin A Cassava in addition to other developed varieties.
He assured that seasoned Scientist from NRCRI, IITA and MOUA as listed in the Training Programme are already prepared to train these youths on these requirements to become successful Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs towards
employment creation, poverty alleviation, food security and growth in Nigerian economy. He added that the managers of the training will strive towards ensuring that the participants receive manuals for this training before they leave, as well will also be presented with Certificates at the closing ceremonies.
In their goodwill messages, the former provost, federal college of agriculture, Isiagu, Ebonyi State, Dr L.S Eluagu, the liaison officer south east, national agricultural extension research, liaison services, ABU Zaria, Omeke Joel represented by Mrs Chinwe Obiageri, Dr Eke Okorie, a representative of national agricultural seed council, Dr Kalu Ukwa, director of biotechnology, Dr Joseph Onyeka charged the participants to pay proper attention and tap from the knowledge of the resource persons.
Resources persons and participants
They added that the training will offer the participants the opportunity to learn how to grow cassava varieties and make it a business venture considering the importance of agriculture to the economy of Nigeria and rural development.
