FG/IFAD VCDP Approves 103 Business Plans For Ogbaru, Ihiala Rice Farmers

FG/IFAD VCDP has approved over one hundred and thirty business plans for Ogbaru and Ihiala rice farmers for the 2019 dry season farming.

The state Agric Production Officer, FG/IFAD VCDP, Mr. Emmanuel Chukwukwelu announced this while monitoring harvest and post harvest step down training across the eight participating council areas of the state.

On arrival at Atani, Ogbaru council headquarters, some of the lead farmers were seen disseminating the knowledge they garnered from the FG/IFAD VCDP demonstration farm at Agbo-Igbe, in Abo Atani.

In their speeches, some of the lead farmers, including Mr. Livinus Nwedu and Mrs. Josephine Ani stressed the importance of false bottom pot technology in par-boiling of rice before milling saying that the benefits are enormous.

At Umuohi Okija Youth Centre, venue for Ihiala farmers, the story was not different as the chairman, Okija Amaka Cooperative Society, Mr. Ifeanyi Asoegwu was seen sharing information with other farmers, laying emphasis on panicle harvesting, line planting with the approved spacing and provision of pallets in storage facilities to minimize losses and maintain quality.

Read Also: See How Much Funds FG Delegated For 3,300 Roads In Next Year’s Budget

Also speaking, Mr. Chukwukwelu described the re- training exercise as one of the measures put in place by the programme aimed at bringing the newly joined local government areas on the same level with the pilot council areas.

Contributing, the State Agro Technician, FG/IFAD VCDP, Mr. Ifeanyi Okoye, who described the step-down training as an impressive one due to the large turn-out of farmers, announced that demonstration farm will be established at Ose-Akwa Ihiala were they have a perennial water for dry season farming to enable the farmers to exhibit the technologies and practices bequeathed to them by FG/IFAD VCDP to enhance their production and productivities.

Some of the participants, including Mrs. Chinenye Edochie, an Ozubulu rice and cassava farmer with her farm at Ogbaru and Mr. Odira Obi, a cassava farmer from Ohita Ogbaru council area described the training as an eye opener and assured to replicate all the knowledge garnered in their farms for optimal performance and high yield.