Enugu State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Industrialization at weekend, organized a one- day capacity building workshop for the Extention Agents, women, and youth farmers on improved ways of preparing, processing, packaging and utilization of grain crops via Bambara nut, cowpea, sorghum, wheat, beans, and corn into flour.
Speaking spontaneously while declaring the workshop open, at the pharmaceutical hall, State Secretariat, Enugu, the Hon Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro -Industrialization, Enugu State, Hon. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, noted that the training was part of government efforts and measures to liberate Ndi Enugu State from poverty, hardship and scarcity of vital commodities, assuring that Agriculture and Food Security will continue to take centre stage in the scheme of things in the State.
Hon. Ubru noted the present administration under the leadership of the governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, is ever ready and willing to support any innovative and viable idea(s), that will create new and more job opportunities, attract more investors as well as, ensure food security systems in the State.
Emphasizing the importance of embracing technology and innovation in the agro-based sector, the Hon. Commissioner stressed that modern challenges novel, cutting edge technology solution.
He noted however, that integrating mechanized advance technology, would enhance efficient productivity in the agro-based economy across the three senatorial zones in the State, adding that the State has started taking delivery of new tractors for test- run, and more are expected to come in whilst being passionate about boosting the State’s agriculture in a mechanized way.
Hon. Ubru illuminated the training is a continuous process, “We have zero tolerance for any activity or act that would sabotage the efforts of the government.
“Our goal is to restore the glory of Enugu as it was in the 1900s, because we want to become the food basket of Nigeria in the near future.”
Hon. Ubru urged the participants to avail themselves and make optimal use of the opportunity, and also impact and extend their acquired knowledge to other farmers in their various communities, while assuring them that his office which runs an open-door policy, would provide them with the necessary assistance needed to ensure that retraining attains a huge success in their communities.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Victor Ngwu, stated that the main aim of the training was to educate and teach the farmers on how to package and store their farm crops after harvesting, to prevent infestation, ensure that most of our agricultural produce do not suffer damage, and to forestall post harvest losses. He therefore described the training as timely and apt.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Ministry’s Head of Unit, Women and Youths in agriculture, Mrs. Francisca Nwonu, charged the participants to make good use of the training and ensure fruitful contributions. She described agriculture as a source of life, noting that the programme is to empower farmers with the knowledge needed to enhance nutrition and boost food value chain in the State.
Mrs. Nwonu also used the occasion to express her gratitude to the present Commissioner for Agriculture and the State governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for keeping fate with his mandate to Ndi Enugu, especially in agricultural sector.
Some of the participants Onodingem Anumchukwu and Chioma Okolo, called for more training, adding it will go a long way to helping in the preservation of grain crops such as Bambara nut etc. during their seasons. They commended both the State government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation for the training, assuring that the knowledge acquired, would be extended to those in their rural areas on modern ways of food processing for nutrition security using the provided proactive approach.
The highlight of the training was the inspection of the finished product by the Hon. Commissioner.
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