The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security recently conducted a comprehensive training program for farmers in Enugu State, aimed at revolutionizing tomato production in the region.
This initiative specifically targeted the youth and women in farming and was held at the Enugu State College of Education Technical (ESCET).
The training, titled “Emergency Training on All-Season Tomato Production for Youth and Women in the South East, South-South, and South West,” sought to equip participants with modern techniques for tomato cultivation that would enable year-round production.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, officially inaugurated the training program. In his address, he underscored the primary objective of ensuring that tomato production becomes an all-season endeavor in the region.
Kyari, represented by Mr. Peter Nwaogor, the State Coordinator and Deputy Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Enugu, emphasized that the ministry, in collaboration with development partners, is committed to training farmers in contemporary tomato farming practices. This effort aims to bolster tomato supply, thereby mitigating scarcity.
Furthermore, Kyari commended the federal government’s significant investment in agriculture, recognizing its potential to alleviate hunger and address food insecurity across the country.
Nwaogor, echoing these sentiments, urged participants to disseminate the knowledge acquired during the training within their respective communities.
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This knowledge-sharing would undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of tomato production in the state.
Nwaogor explained the broader context of the training, stating, “It’s in the light of this that the ministry is conducting a training program for farmers in Enugu state to ensure continuity and supply of tomatoes in Nigeria. Government policy on tomato production has huge potential to generate massive employment, eliminate hunger and poverty as well as save foreign exchange and create income and wealth among farmers.”
Dr. Ogbonna Onyishi, the Programme Manager of Enugu State Agricultural Development Programme (ENADEP), emphasized the immense benefits of the training.
He noted that Enugu has already started producing 30% of the tomatoes used in the state, making tomatoes available year-round and increasing farmers’ income.
The program’s objective is to teach farmers modern techniques and technologies for tomato cultivation, ensuring consistent market availability and stabilizing prices.
Mr. John Sule, the supervisor for the tomato value chain, also addressed the participants, stressing the importance of attentiveness to the knowledge-sharing process during the training.
This comprehensive training initiative represents a pivotal step toward transforming tomato farming in Enugu State and holds the promise of substantial benefits for both farmers and consumers alike.
