With the adoption of sesame seed to replace yam by the State Committee On Export Promotion (SCEP) under the One State One Product (OSOP) initiative, the NEPC Minna EAO in collaboration with National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi organised a Capacity Building Workshop with the theme “Harnessing the Potentials of Niger State Sesame seed for Export”. The event took place at Lapai Town Hall on Thursday, 8th September, 2022.
- This was part of the activities lined up to boost the yield per hectare of the crop having identified the great potentials of the State in terms of output production and the high liquid value of the commodity traded in the global market.
- The program meant to enhance on the capacity of farmers from the 4 major producing local government areas of Lapai, Agaie, Katcha and Paikoro. The Resource person from NCRI (Dr. Usman Aliyu, Director Engineering) took Participants through on good agricultural practices and introduction of new techniques of cultivation for bumper harvest. In an effort to encourage the use of improved seedlings, the Office presented new seed variety of X-Sudan to the farmers to assist in the production of high quality grades of beni-seed on sustainable basis. The average yield per hectare in those areas is presently 650Kg and with the improved seedlings introduced coupled with the new techniques, the yield is expected to appreciate to 1,300Kg under good farm management.
- The Workshop was declared open by the Hon. Commissioner, Niger State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Other important dignitaries present at the event include; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Investment, Commerce and Industry (Chairman SCEP), the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the representatives of the Local Government Chairman and the Emir of Lapai, Director Agric. Services and the Ubandawakin Lapai. Also in attendance were the National President and Patron of Sesame Seed Association of Nigeria, Niger State Chapter.
5.The event was very successful one as 75 farmers that attended the workshop left the Program with their capacity well enhanced on Good Agricultural practices (GAP) and application of modern techniques to reduce wastages, increase yield and farmers income and also heartily appreciated the Council for the new improved seed variety of X-Sudan presented to them.
- Find pictorials, News coverage by NTA, a blog post and a news mention by prestige Fm attached below;
L-R The Resource Person from NCRI, The Chairman NSSA, The Trade Promotion Advisor Minna EAO, the Perm. Sec. NMARD, Perm. Sec. MICI (Chairman SCEP), Hon. Commisioner NMARD, representative of Lapai Council Chairman and Representative of Emir of Lapai Emirate.
The Trade Promotion Advisor, Minna EAO delivering his Welcome Address.
A cross section of the Participants during Technical session.
The X-Sudan improved Sesame seed variety at venue.
The Honorable Commissioner NMARD presenting the X-Sudan improved Sesame seed variety to the participants.
The Resource Person Dr. Usman Aliyu, Director Engineering, National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, during the Technical Session.
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