By Mohammed Baba Busu
The National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), in conjunction with News Trust Investment Limited, has commenced the training of 150 youths and women farmers on rice post-harvest handling and preservation in Niger State.
Dr. Aliyu Umar, the Executive Director of the NCRI, Badeggi, made this known shortly after he declared open a 3-day training workshop on Grains Harvest, Handling, and Preservation for farmers on rice on Tuesday in Bida.
He said that the training was to equip the beneficiaries with skills to reduce rice post-harvest losses.
The executive director said that the programme was part of the institute’s empowerment of rice farmers to attain national food self-sufficiency.
The executive director noted that rice production was among the major sources of employment and income for many farming households in the country.
Dr. Umar commended the Federal Government for prioritizing the agricultural sector to boost food production and socio-economic development of the country.
“This project is one of the projects under the 2022 appropriation and bankrolled by the Federal Government.
“Over 150 youths and women are benefitting from this gesture. They will be imparted with skills in rice post-harvest handling, preservation, and storage.
“This is to reduce the huge losses that accompany rice production,” he said.
Dr. 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.
“They should take the training seriously so that they will turn their fortunes for good,” he added.
He also called on Nigerians to embrace rice production, especially dry season rice farming, considering its importance to human and socio-economic development.
The executive director assured of the institute’s continued commitment to boost research and key into different policies and programmes that would have a direct bearing on the lives of Nigerians.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Alhaji Idris Umar, Mr. Nmadu Isah, and Malama Fatima Suleiman, commended the institute for the training, saying it will boost rice production in the area, Niger state, and Nigeria at large.
They pledged to cascade the knowledge and skills received at the training with other farmers to ensure a bumper harvest of rice production.
