Determined to finding a lasting solution to rising pest attacks on agricultural production, HortiNigeria has empowered 23 agro-input dealers on the best chemical application and management in Kano.
The agro-chemical marketers, drawn across diverse groups, including retailers of seeds, fertilizers and other segments; also equipped to providing expert guidance to farmers on management of Tuta Absoluta, a deadly tomatoe pest.
Speaking during the closing session of the training, Agribusiness Coordinator, HortiNigeria, Mr. Danjuma Makama told journalists that the training was part of foundation laying for productive and sustainable horticultural practice in Nigeria.
Makama said the program targeted at boosting horticulture value chain also intended to advance dealers knowledge and skills while fostering a strong agribusiness clusters in the state.
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He explained that HortiNigeria is implementing a Tuta Absoluta Integrated Pest Management (IPM) campaign on demonstration plot in Kano where agro-Input dealers are being trained on best approach to eradicate the tomato disease.
On the objective of the training, Makama said the goal is to build knowledge and create ripple effect that will benefit the entire agribusiness clusters being established in collaboration with actors across the various nodes of the value chain in Kano.
He stressed that by investing in the education and empowerment of the agro-Input dealers, HortiNigeria is contributing to production of food and nutrition security of Kano and Nigeria as a whole.
” The dealers will provide farmers with advisory services on the solutions to tackle the pest while providing the necessary inputs to deal with it. Beyond this, as the first point of contact for farmers, agro-input dealers offer access to improve seeds, quality fertilizers and agro-chemicals, crucial for producing high quality vegetables.
” They also act as trusted advisors in their communities, providing expert suggestions. These critical roles are the reasons trainings of this nature is very important, to bolstering their skills and knowledge to enable them carry out their roles effectively”.
HortiNigeria, is a four years initiative beginning from 2021 to 2025, is being implemented in Kano, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo states to address seven value chains within the horticulture sector: cabbage, cucumber, okra, onions, pepper, sweet corn, tomatoes, and watermelon.
The project being funded by Netherlands embassy in Nigeria focus on increasing the productivity and income of 60,000 small holder farmers with 40 percent women and 50 percent of youth concentration; such that pilot innovative technologies, facilitating access to finance for SMEs, and improving sector coordination and business linkages.