Anambra state government in conjunction with Harvest Plus Nigeria have trained over one hundred Farmers on vitamin A cassava Production.
The event which took place at Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Center Awka trained the participants on how to cultivate, grow and process vitamin A cassava for bountiful harvest, quality health and other benefits.
Correspondent Njideka Okoye was there and reports that while declaring the event open, Governor Willie Obiano, represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Nnamdi Onukwuba commended the initiative, saying that the present administration has made Anambra a reference point in agricultural produce especially rice and cassava.
Governor Obiano noted that the initiative is a new variety and technique in growing crops enriched in Vitamin-A and will create a platform for farmers who have learnt how to grow the seed, saying that its multiple effect is that vitamin A produce will be a house hold name in Anambra and spread to other states, as Anambra is always taking the lead in everything profitable.
Governor Obiano who stated that Anambra has achieved much in Agriculture maintained that the incoming governor, Professor Charles Soludo will grow the processing and valued chain aspect of agriculture to complement the feat of the present administration in agriculture and advised the participants to take the training serious, noting that this will be taken to Local Government level for maximum benefits.
On his part, the Country Manager Harvest Plus Nigeria Mr. Yasuf Dollah represented by the Project Manager of the Institute, Mr. Good luck Ogu who welcomed all to Anambra state that hosted the first Food Fair 2022 in Nigeria with the theme “Promoting Investment, Nutrition Awareness and Job Creation Using Bio-fortified Crops”, commended Anambra for her input and achievements in agricultural sector, noting that the programme will help in the fight against hidden hunger, describing Anambra as a home to a lot of staple foods in Nigeria.
The Chairman Nigeria Cassava Growers Association Anambra state, Dr. Okey Ejikeme and the leader Eco Garden, Mr. Emeka Okoli, thanked Anambra state and Harvest Plus Nigeria for the exhibition and training which they said will offer the knowledge and practical tools of modern-day agricultural practices to farmers.
A cassava stem specialist and a resource person, Mr Adedikpo Adedayo trained the participants on how to cultivate, grow and process Biofortified crops and advised them to key into growing, processing and buying of Biofortified crops and products for their nutritious and health benefits.
The BIOFORT Food Fair and Training mainstream women into Biofortification through pageantry as they made presentations and competitions in dressing, singing, dancing and cooking varieties with cassava to showcase its benefits where Chioma Okeke’s Utara Akpu came first and was crowded Anambra Ambassador for CBC Harvest Plus while Chidinma Okoye’s Gari was the first runner-up and Juliana Edochie’s Abacha was the second runner-up.
The event featured cutting of cake made with Biofortified produce.