NEWS DETAILS: RMRDC TRAINS BEANS FARMERS ON AGRONOMICS BEST PRACTICES

Following are the details of the news:

The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), organized a training workshop on the agronomic best practices and control of Biological and chemical contaminants in Nigeria beans (cowpea).
The workshop was held at the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigerian (NAFN), Tudun Wada Abuja-Keffi road, Nasarawa State, recently.
The Director General/CEO Prof. Husaini D. Ibrahim, who was represented by Dr. Olugbemi - Director(Agricultural and Agro Allied Raw Materials Department), said that the training was targeted at beans farmers in the North Central Zone to address the
barn of Nigeria beans by the European Union (EU) as results of pesticides residues and mycotoxins.
He explained that it has become necessary to enlighten farmers and the crop handlers on the best agronomic practices and proper use of pesticides and other agro chemicals to avoid contamination that can lead to health complications. He said the Federal Government has also put adequate measures in
place to remedy the situation by creating the inter-ministerial Zero Reject Committee to check this anomalies.
The National President of Cowpea value chain Association represented by Mrs Fatima Kachalla said the workshop is apt considering the recent rejection of some Nigerian food commodities at the International market. She informed that she has been into cowpea farming for a long time and the crop has been a popular food which is processed into different delicacies. She noted that the training would be of great relevance to the farmers as better ways of
growing beans will mean eliminating dangers of contaminations that has sometimes led to sickness or death.
Speaking also at the occasion, the Representative of the DG, National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Mr. Idris Aliyu said, NASC is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the mandate of
regulating the importation and exportation of seeds and enforcement where necessary.
He informed that beans is very significant in the commodity market but the negligence of some farmers in not knowing how to apply pesticides appropriately has
led to its rejection by the EU, which according to him is a very bad situation.
Nevertheless, he said, NASC in collaboration with RMRDC and other relevant stakeholders are working tirelessly towards ensuring good seeds are accessible
and affordable to farmers because the he said, foundation of Agriculture begins with quality seeds.
Prof. Ajayi and Dr.I Ogara presented a paper on best practices for application of pesticides and other agro chemicals, giving a practical demonstration to farmers on the appropriate chemicals to be used, and how to manage pesticides without contamination. Others resource persons were; Dr. G. G.
Awolehin, Dr. M. A. Jolaoso, Dr. A. Negedu, representative of Goldmax Chemicals and others.
The training was well attended by representatives from over 90 farmers and other stakeholders attended the workshop, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN), Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agriculture Lending (NIRSAL), Kenaf Association,
The Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), beans farmers, marketers, and a host of others.
At the end of the workshop, the farmers expressed their appreciation to RMRDC for the laudable initiative and promised to ensure good agricultural practice for cowpea cultivation.
Presenting the votes of thanks, Ms Ruth A. Indagawa, Deputy Director (Textile, Livestock and Leather Division) expressed the Councils appreciation to all participants at the training and hopes that farmers will apply all that they have learnt.
She wished everyone well in areas of endeavors and safe trip to their various destinations.