By Nneka Nwogwugwu, Abuja
The federal government has commenced a-5-day training programme on Farmers Business School (FBS) for Irish potato farmers in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The training which will empower 3,000 farmers to own a farm, commenced on 3rd May and will end on 7th May at Obudu Cattle Ranch.
Flagging off the training, Mr Iwara Edet, State Director of the Federal Ministry Of Agriculture And Rural Development, Calabar, said that the training is focused on re-educating Irish potato farmers on farming as business rather than been a ‘’culture’’.
He said to achieve food security and nutrition, Nigerians must begin to change the narratives about farming as culture to farming as a business.
Edet, who was representing the Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture, Hajia Karima Babangida, said, ‘’It is in the regards that Federal Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with German International Corporation (GIZ) has been a strong advocate for this paradigm shift in our agriculture. Further to the foregoing, it’s a known fact that Irish potato is a premium cash crop sort after by many here in the country and other West African countries.
‘’The purpose of this 5-day- workshop is to bring together Irish potato farmers in class of thirty (30) each to build their capacity on simple farming business models and concept in order to increase their technical knowhow on farming practices so they can earn more income from doing the same job. It’s important to know that FBS is capable of starting a potato revolution here in Cross-River especially in Obudu and other communities in the Northern states that have potentials to grow potato during dry season.
He noted that Potato farmers in Plateau State were the first to benefit from FBS and they have profited immensely from the adoption of these new farming business innovations.
Edet urged the farmers to make good use of this training to learn and adopt the new farming business innovations that would be handed over to them over the course of the 5 day workshop which covers twelve (12) modules with different topics and practical through participatory approach.
Representing the Cross River State governor, Dr. Ben Ayade, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agricultural Value Chain, Mr. Emmanuel Anoh announced that by establishing an Agro programme in the ranch resort at Obudu, ‘’3,000 farmers will own one hectare of Irish potato farm each.’’
Anoh said that the governor having taught it carefully to impact positively on the livelihood of the people, decided to give attention to potato value chain which he commenced in 2020 with the intention of creating wealth for the people.
According to him, ‘’On behalf of Gov Ben Ayade, the number one farmer in Cross Rivers state, we welcome the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development particularly for this initiative of building farmers capacity in Irish Potato value chain.
‘’It is on record that Gov. Ayade rolled out the blueprint of agricultural development which has to do with emphasis on some major food crops and of course cash crops with the intention of creating wealth for the people of Cross Rivers State and contributing positively to the federal government’s initiative of food security and sustainability.
‘’At the inception of this administration in 2015, the governor launched the rice revolution with the establishment of the first of its kind, the ultra-modern rice seedling multiplication factory in Calabar which was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016.
‘’Since then the administration of Gov Ayade has continued to ensure that the agricultural sector receives the highest consideration in policy administration.
‘’From the rice seedling factory, we were able to set up an ultra-modern rice processing mill which will be the biggest in Nigeria when fully commissioned. We started in Ogoja and of course Ogoja being known for producing rice and accommodates famous sites for rice farms.
‘’The governor has moved from the rice value chain into cocoa value chain, Poultry value chain, Potato value chain and among others.’’
Anoh advised the farmers to grab the opportunity given to them and acquire knowledge on farming practices, so that they can create wealth for themselves and contribute to the economic growth of the state.