The International Fund for Agricultural Development Programme (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has trained additional 120 youths on production of quality rice seeds toward increasing yields.
Dr Bala Garba, National Programme Coordinator (NPC), IFAD-VCDP, gave the figure on Saturday during the closing of the one-month training in Baddegi, Bida Local Government Area of Niger.
Garba was represented by Dr Chika Unamm, Agriculture Production Advisor, VCDP National Office, Abuja.
He said that apart from increasing rice production, the training would create jobs and wealth for youths.
“Our problem in this country is low productivity, farmers’ yields are low.
“Science has proven that one of the ways to make sure that farmers increase their yields and make more money is to improve the quality of their seeds.
“The essence of the training is to equip the young trainees, who will become entrepreneurs, on how to produce quality rice seeds to increase production,” he said.
He said that training of the youths, who would become producers of certified seeds, would go a long way to improve rice yields across the country.
“Farmers’ yields have been very low and we have discovered that it is because of wrong practices which farmers engage in, especially while procuring seeds.
“This is why the VCDP thought it necessary to train youths who will be producers of certified seeds within their communities so that farmers can have access to quality seeds to increase their harvest,” he said.
He said that farmers could have up to six metric tonnes of rice per hectare if they would plant the right seeds.
He noted VCDP trained 120 youths earlier, adding that the latest trainees brought to 240, such seed entrepreneurs.
Garba said that the trainees were drawn from the nine VCDP participating states of Anambra, Benue, Niger, Ogun, Ebonyi, Taraba, Nasarawa, Enugu and Kogi.
He said that the participants would be supported with start-up packs of seeds, fertilisers and other inputs which would help them with their first production, after which they would be expected to run the business as an enterprise.
Earlier, Dr Matthew Ahmed, the state Programme Coordinator, called for training of more youths in rice seed production to create job opportunities as a strategy to tackle insecurity.
Ahmed urged the youths to liaise with the National Agricultural Seeds Council to produce quality seeds for farmers.
“With good quality seeds, farmers can harvest nine to 12 metric tonnes of rice per hectare of land.
“The target of the project is to ensure that farmers harvest up to 12 metric tonnes of rice per hectare of land,” he said.
Dr Shaibu Abraham, rice breeder/seed expert with the Africa Rice Centre and a consultant with the VCDP, said that the participants were trained on rice seed production technology as regards quality seeds, nursery, land preparation, good agricultural practices and water and fertiliser management.
Mr Roland Ohazuruike, a trainee from Anambra State, said that the training was impactful.
Ohazuruike, who thanked IFAD-VCDP for the training, gave the assurance that it would be well utilised.
