By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development (FMARD) has trained 60 Irish potato farmers in Bauchi state on simple farming business models.
Flagging off the training on Monday at Toro Local Government Area of the state, Hajia Karima Babangida, the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, who spoke on the topic, ‘re-educating Irish potato farmers on farming as business rather than been a culture’, said that Nigerian farmers must begin to change the narratives about farming as a culture to farming as a business.
She noted that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with German International Corporation (GIZ) has always been a strong advocate for the paradigm shift in agriculture in order to achieve food security and nutrition for Nigeria.
Babaginda who spoke through the FMARD’s state coordinator of Bauchi state, Mr. Iliya Daniel Abarshi, said that 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 Bauchi State especially in Toro LGA and other communities in the state that has potentials to grow potato during dry season,’’ she added.
According to her, Irish potato is a premium cash crop sought after by many here in the country and other West African countries.
She further stated in her address, ‘’It is important for all participants 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.
‘’The sixty participants would also be able to spread the knowledge on FBS to other farmers within the communities.
‘’FMARD is also poised to build the capacity of farmers in other states with potentials to grow Irish potato with new innovations and techniques on GAP and FBS to ensure productivity and income generation.
‘’I hope that by the end of this 5-day workshop the purpose for organising this FBS training would have been achieved and Potato farmers in Toro would have been equipped with the requisite skills and knowledge on farming as a business for increased productivity and income.’’
In his remarks, the Bauchi state Commissioner of Agriculture, Samaila Adamu Garba represented by the state Ministry’s Director of Agricultural Services, Babaji Miajama, said that capacity building is the key to any developmental program as such those farmers that were opportune to be nominated are lucky.
He advised them to put what they have learnt into practice.
The training which started from Monday, 7 June, will end on Friday, 11 June, 2021.