In its resolve to boost food production and guarantee unprecedented interest in agricultural activities among Nigerians, the Agribusiness Incubation Centre at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU, is to float a radio programme to educate farmers in Abia State on modern techniques of agriculture.
Receiving members of the Integrated Farmers Association, Abia State chapter that paid him a courtesy visit in his office, the Director of the centre, Dr Phillips Nto announced that this followed the approval granted by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe, for the take-off of the programme christened, Farmers Friday.
He revealed that the Vice Chancellor has also provided the necessary logistics and manpower to ensure that the programme which will have robust contents that will help farmers enhance their knowledge in agriculture and agribusiness is run efficiently for the benefit of farmers in Abia and adjoining states.
” It is the desire of our VC and indeed management of MOUAU that we use this programme to assist farmers to boost their yields, earn more money and improve food security”,he announced.
The director disclosed that the centre was already in talks with some selected radio stations in Abia for the speedy take off of the programme, and called on public spirited individuals and institutions to support the exercise through sponsorship.
He also expressed appreciation to the Abia State Government for its decision to sponsor 170 youths to be trained by ABIC and commended the members of Abia State chapter of Integrated Farmers Association for undertaking the visit to see things for themselves.
Earlier, the spokesman of the group, Elder Ogba Nwokoro, expressed happiness with the giant strides made by the centre under the leadership of Dr Philips Nto and expressed the association’s readiness to collaborate with the centre.
Elder Nwokoro, who stated that their members were experiencing some challenges in marketing, storage of products, and access to funds, therefore urged the centre to assist the members in overcoming the challenges through an interface with government and private organisations.
