By John Ndu
Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in collaboration with National Center for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) has trained farmers on the new agricultural mechanization.
The training on mechanization and dry season cultivation of rice and cassava were funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The training attracted 100 farmers from three states namely Anambra, Ebony and Ogun state.
National Light observed that rice cultivation would be done in Anaku, while cassava cultivation would be at Igbariam, in Ayamelum and Anambra East local government area of Anambra state respectively.
Speaking at the rice production centre, Ude Anaku, the National Programme Coordinator VCDP, IFAD, Ameh Onoja, said the essence of the program was to introduce them to the culture of dry season rice production which had never been practised in the past in the state.
According to him " We want to engage the farmers and see what they are doing during dry season. We found out they were not cropping,
but the program has been able to train and introduce them to rice cultivation in dry season. The rice field was cultivated three months ago and they are now harvesting.
For a start, we are cultivating 10 hectares. To achieve this, tube wells were provided with pomp and the farmers were trained on how to rise nursery and transplant"
Mr. Onoja stressed that the program would attract access roads to the farm and as well provide inputs such as fertilizer, seeds and many more.
"The program will support them with 50% using matching grant which they will contribute 50% of the total cost of the inputs.
The seeds were sort from reputable seed companies like Faro 44 and 52, which we assist them to purchase". Onoja added.
Equally speaking, the state Programme Coordinator, Value Chain Development Programme, IFAD ASSISTED,
Emmanuel Nnamdi Agwuncha noted that the programme came as a result of their research, observing that the area could produce three cropping of rice in a year, saying it had been the vision of Anambra government to ensure the state was among the first three in rice production.
Mr Agwuncha maintained that "the water table is very good for tube well construction and we provided them with 10 tube wells. We are going to provide rice threatcher which will do harvesting,
threatching, winnowing, stemming, milling, polishing, bagging and marketing. For consumables, the farmers will provide 50%, while IFAD will provide the other 50%. Equally, in equipment, IFAD will provide 70% as farmers 30%. Also, in access roads and land development, the farmers will pay 10%, while IFAD provides 90%."
Mr Agwuncha while pointing out the readiness of IFAD to further train them on good agro-nomic practices in rice production, expressed gratitude in the farm output, saying the dry season cultivation would engage youth to be more productive and as well strengthen the economy of the state.
He therefore urged farmers to key in the mechanization as off-takers had been attracted to buy their produce.
The National Agricultural Adviser, IFAD, VCDP, Chika Unamma Victor observed that the programme would be replicated in Anambra East, Awka North and Orumba North as they have potentials for rice cultivation.
Demonstrating on one of the machines known as Power Tiller, the Technology Promoter National Center for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM),Ilorin, Dada Joel Temitope, said the 8.5 horse power capacity tractor for land preparation would perform three functions such as ploughing, pudding and levelling.
Mr. Temitope said the process would save labour and I increase productive, as well provide opportunities for youths to embrace power tiller operation business.
Demonstrating the Cassava Stern Planter at Igbariam the Technical Assistant (NCAM), babatunde Isaac said the machine would perform three functions as well, cutting, planting, and fertilizing.
Some of the farmers Pastor Benjamin Mengwangwa Onyebuchi and Ifeoma Mebo expressed gratitude, saying it would increase their productive.
They equally appealed to state government to provide more machines to enhance availability and boost the economy of the state.
source: http://johnndu..com/2016/05/donor-agency-sponsors-farmers-on-dry.html#more