The Federal Government has trained 500 women and youths in Ogun State on modern vegetable production techniques as part of efforts to boost food security and create jobs at the grassroot.
The training was done through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in conjunction with the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT).
Participants were specifically trained on tomato, okra and Telfairia production techniques as well as the economics of production, marketing and record-keeping required for the selected vegetable crops.
The empowerment aspect of the training was to support participants with starter pack (cash) and some farm inputs such as seed planters, plastic crates, raincoats, watering cans and rain boots.The selected vegetables for the training, Tomato, Okra and Telfiaria, are priority vegetables which are highly relevant in the nation’s quest for food and nutrition security. The training was conducted between August 10 and 13.
In his welcome address, Muhammed Attanda, executive director, NIHORT represented by Joel Akinfasoye, the training coordinator, Hort Consultancy Ventures, noted that Nigeria is the 14th largest producer of tomato and the largest producer of okra in the world.
