Borno Govt. trains 540 farmers groups on seed production

By Hamza Suleiman

The Borno Government on Monday began the training of 540 farmers groups on quality seed production to boost food security in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was facilitated by the state’s Ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, in collaboration with the World Bank-funded Multi-Sectoral Recovery Project (MCRP).

The Lead Facilitator of the training, Prof. Dattijo Aminu, said that the training became necessary to enlighten farmers on the numerous advantages of using new varieties of seeds.

Aminu said that the objective was to also develop and identify new varieties with traits sought by consumers.

“This is to ensure the availability of improved seeds in sufficient quantity within the farming communities in Borno,” he said.

He also said that the training would help to decentralise seed production and guarantee availability of improved variety seeds at a low price in the state.

Earlier, the state project coordinator of MCRP, Babazannah Abdulkarim, said that the training would reduce dependence on external seed sources.

Abdulkarim said that it was an effective measure to curb spurious seed trade and encourage village-level trade to enhancell local economy.

According to him, quality seeds are a step ahead towards sustainable crop production.

He commended Gov. Babagana Zulum for implementing a people-centered transformative agenda in the state toward food security and self-reliance in the post-conflict recovery period.

(NAN)