The National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger, in conjunction with News Trust Investment Limited on Tuesday commenced training of 150 youth and women farmers on rice post-harvest handling and preservation.
Dr Aliyu Umar, Executive Director of the Institute, said this when he declared open a 3-day training workshop on Grains Harvest, Handling and Preservation for rice farmers in Bida.
He said that the training was to equip the beneficiaries with skills in order to reduce rice post-harvest losses.
The executive director said that the programme was part of the institute’s empowerment to the rice farmers to attain national food self-sufficiency.
Umar said that rice production was among the major sources of employment and income for many farming households in the country.
He commended the Federal Government for prioritising the agricultural sector in order to boost food production and socio-economic development of the country.
“This project is one of the programmes under the 2022 appropriation and bankrolled by the Federal Government.
“More than 150 youths and women are benefitting from this gesture. They will be imparted with skills on rice post-harvest handling, preservation and storage.
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“This is to reduce the huge losses that are associated with rice production,” he said.
Umar called on the beneficiaries to take the training with all seriousness in their interest and for the overall development of the country.
“I want to call on the beneficiaries to consider themselves lucky to be selected for this laudable project.
“Take this training seriously and turn your fortune for good and a lasting one,” he urged.
Umar further called on Nigerians to embrace rice production, especially dry season rice farming, considering its importance to human and socio-economic development of the country.
Umar assured of the institute’s continued commitment to boost research and key into different policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of Nigerians.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Alhaji Idris Umar, Mr Nmadu Isah and Hajia Fatima Suleiman, commended the institute for the training, saying it will boost rice production in the area, Niger and Nigeria at large.
