Over 6,000 South-West cassava farmers to benefit from AATF agronomic training in Oyo

About 1,000 cassava farmers and processors across the southwest region have benefitted from the ongoing Good Agronomic Practices training  to enhance their skills to improve cassava farming and processing in Nigeria.

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This figure was announced by the Director of Tuber Crops Research, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Adeyemi Olojede, during the official unveiling of the programme by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, held at Fashola Farm in Oyo town, Oyo State, on Wednesday.

He added that over 6,000 farmers would benefit from the programme with a particular focus on empowering women and youths.

Olojede said the initiative is expected to significantly contribute to improving cassava farming and processing in Nigeria.

He explained further that it would equip them with essential skills and improve their livelihoods through better production methods and increased value creation.

He said, “The weeklong training, facilitated by the NRCRI, Umudike, kicked off with the first batch of 1,000 participants, consisting of farmers and processors.

“It is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH in collaboration with AATF, Agridrive Ltd., and Clayuca Corporation.

 

“This marks the initial phase of the training series, which is expected to span over three years. AATF had previously committed, during the inauguration of the Cassava Mechanisation and Agro-Processing Facility in April 2024, to train 6,000 farmers and processors.

“The initiative will gradually scale up with 1,000 trainees in 2024; 2,000 in 2025, and 3,000 in 2026.

“In addition to the farmers, the programme will include 1,000 processors, primarily women from Oyo and Ogun states, with a focus on value addition in cassava processing. By equipping them with essential skills, the training seeks to improve their livelihoods through better production methods and increased value creation.”

Also speaking, the AATF’s Programme Officer for Agribusiness, Kehinde Jimoh, stressed that the initiative was part of the foundation’s broader commitment to enhancing the productivity of cassava farmers and processors.

“This training is focused on empowering farmers and processors with best agronomic practices and value addition strategies, which will lead to significant improvements in their livelihoods and cassava productivity.”

He noted the importance of the training not only in boosting cassava production but also in enhancing value addition, which will provide farmers with alternative income streams.