Agriculture

NIHORT Supports 150 Ido LG Farmers With Seedlings

By Web News 1380

As part of the federal government’s efforts towards ensuring food sufficiency in the country, the National Horticultural Research Institute, NIHORT, has distributed seedlings to over 150 farmers in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The farmers, who were drawn across the 10 wards of the council area, were given citrus, plantain and vegetable seeds.

Addressing the farmers on behalf of the Executive Director, NIHORT, Dr. Abayomi Olaniyan, the Head Farming System and Extension Department, Dr. Oluyemisi Adebisi-Adelani, said the gesture was born out of the need to cushion the effects of COVID-19 on farmers whose economic power had been badly affected by the pandemic.

Speaking in the same vein, Head, Extension Programme, NIHORT, Dr. Florence Olajide-Taiwo, encouraged the farmers to make good use of the seedlings as the progress of the crops would be monitored.

Chairman, Ido Local Government, Mr. Seriff Adeojo lauded NIHORT for considering farmers in the council adding that his administration would continue to works towards empowering farmers to realize the agricultural objective of the state governor.  

Some farmers, including Adekunle Adebayo, Amidu Tiamiyu and Ishola Dauda pledged to make good use of the seedlings.

Rotimi Famakin

Agriculture

NIHORT Trains Farmers on Plaintain, Banana, Mushroom Production

By Web News 1016

Nigerians have been advised to key into the transformation agenda of the present administration by embracing agriculture. 

Chairman, NIHORT Governing Board, Major General Mohammed Garba, retired, stated this while declaring open, a three-day training programme on the mushroom, plantain and banana rapid multiplication at the national horticultural and Research Institute, Ibadan.

Major General Garba noted that the present administration of President Mohammadu Buhari has identified agriculture as a critical tool in job creation. He implored the participants to go through the training with all seriousness so as to empower themselves and families.

Radio Nigeria’s correspondent reports that 50 participants from all over the country, including women and youth, are currently undergoing a three-day training on plantain, banana rapid multiplication and mushroom production at NIHORT, Idi-Ishin, Ibadan.

Welcoming the participants, the Chief Executive Officer, NIHORT, Dr. Abayomi Olaniyan noted that plantain business requires small capital to begin and could generate a lot of income to farmers.

Dr. Olaniyan also maintained that the training was imperative to educate the farmers on planting non-infested plantain and banana suckers for optimal yield.

He said that mushroom business which is known for its medicinal value, could also serve as a foreign exchange earner for the farmers. 

The NIHORT boss added that cash incentives would be made available to the participants to support them.

Three participants, Babatunde Ladipo of Ibadan, Oyo State, Mrs. Aisha Yusuf of Niger State and Olukayode Omiyale also of Ibadan, Oyo State said the training would them make something of their lives.

Jeffrey Ahonmisi