In an effort to upgrade the capacity of farmers in Delta State, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has trained 80 maize farmers and 80 tomatoes farmers in the state.
Speaking today during the emergency training and demonstration of climate resilient practices in maize production in the south east , south south and south west regions organized by Fadza multi concept limited for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at the Delta State ADP office, Asaba, the Programme Manager, Delta Agricultural and Rural Development Agency, (DARDA) Dr. Julius Omonizua said the farmers upon their training would receive support from the federal government to help them in their farm business.
According to him, the two -day training which is aimed at empowering farmers in maize and tomatoes training would help them gain knowledge in planting their crops irrespective of the climate change in weather.
On his part, the state Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr John Onowroke, said the training was geared towards giving the farmers early warning as it relates with climate change in the country which cannot be taken for granted.
Onowroke said with the time bound on agricultural enterprises, there is the need to embark on the training.
Speaking the representative from FMARD and Senior Agric officer in the ministry, Mr Chris Oviro, said the training would help them improve their capacity in growing grains and other vegetable crops.
He said there was need for farmers in the state to diversify attention to other food chains, and also be trained on how to create resilient value chain that can withstand any climatic weather condition.
Oviro said aside developing capacity in the maize and tomatoes value chains, it would help them grow their business and make a living out of it.
While educating maize farmers on how to make their crops healthy, the resource person, Mr Dennis Abuga advised that they allow their farm lands to be fallow so to enable nutrient into the soil.
Mr Abuga warned that they avoid planting their maize in a flood prone area and to always look out for good seeds when planting.
He advised farmers to do zero tillage and not to be in a rush to plant their crops, rather to observe the weather before going to plant their maize seed.
The resource person also spoke on how to ensure that climate change does not affect maize crops, water management, land management, fertilizer and manure application and on the need for farmers to conduct germination test on their crops, adding that treatment of their seeds is good for the farmers so as to yield more profit.
Appreciating the federal government on behalf of other participants, for the opportunity given to them, Mr Leon Owenz said they would put in so much attention so as to achieve the objectives of the training which he said would be of great benefit to him and other farmers.
