By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos
NIRSAL Plc said it hasempowered over 2,000 farmers to boost agricultural productivity in four states, including Imo, Sokoto, Kwara, and Oyo.
This, it said, followed the completion of a mid-year training programme for lead farmers and extension agents in the Aquaculture and Cassava value chains across locations in these States, which was also attended by the governments’ representatives.
A statement by its spokesperson, Jude Nnadozie, explained that the programme is “aimed at boosting farmers’ capacities to access and repay commercial loans,”
The statement added that Aas it continues to promote the Agro Geo-Cooperative approach to primary production, NIRSAL primarily targets lead farmers with the experience and skill to share new knowledge with members of their various cooperatives for its training programmes.
In Imo State, about 500 participants were said to have assembled in two locations—one urban and one rural, with a focus on efficient models for fish production.
It was said to be the same in Sokoto State, while the Oyo and Kwara outings focused on cassava.
Imo State House Committee Chairman on Agriculture, Uche Agabige, was said to have lauded NIRSAL for including Imo in this round of the capacity building programme, with the belief that it would complement local efforts aimed at boosting agricultural productivity in the state.
The training is aimed at boosting farmers’ capacities to access and repay commercial loans.
Head, Value Chain Capacity Development at NIRSAL, Ibrahim Suleiman, said the capacity development programme, which is offered to agricultural value chain actors under its Technical Assistance pillar, was happening simultaneously in three other states spanning four Geo-political zones.
According to Mr. Suleiman, lead farmers and extension agents in aquaculture and cassava were similarly gathered at two urban and rural locations in Sokoto, Oyo, and Kwara States, and they are expected to cascade the training to an estimated 6,000 farmers across the states.
The NIRSAL teams received warm reception and commendations in locations, including from the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Akinyele Local Government Chairman in Oyo State, and the Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Farmers’ Interventions, among others.
In addition to the formation of functional cooperatives with proper governance structures, the training programme also discussed readiness for possible protocol breaches and early warning systems.
Participants who spoke after the training, expressed their delight with the new insights they gained, pledging to share the same with members of their various cooperatives.
NIRSAL Plc is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), established to de-risk agriculture and agribusiness financing in Nigeria, with a view to stimulating the flow of finance and investment into the Agricultural Value Chain from multiple sources.
