TheCable

The ministry of agriculture and rural development (FMARD) in collaboration with the Edo ministry of agriculture and food security has trained over 240 farmers on climate-resilient practices in the state. 

The initiative kicked off on Monday in Benin, the state capital, to educate farmers on climate-resilient practices in the production of maize, rice and tomato.

Wellington Omoragbon, director of FMARD in Edo state, said the training aims to teach the farmers smart agricultural practices to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on crop production.

Omoragbon, who was represented by Sunny Omoike, a director in the ministry, said the change in rainfall pattern, floods, increase in temperature, droughts as well as the increase in acidity have adversely affected the production of crops in the state.

The director said efficient initiatives in water management, smart tillage, good soil practices, crop mixtures, high-quality planting materials and the use of weather forecasting tools are some smart agricultural practices that can enhance productivity.

According to Omoragbon, about 4,000 farmers of different agricultural value chains are targeted to benefit from the training.

Sunday Erhunmwonsere, permanent secretary of Edo ministry of agriculture and food security, said the training would boost farmers’ productivity in the three crop value chains.

Erhunmwonsere said the ministry would introduce varieties of seeds that are able to withstand climate change, adding that the training is about emerging trends in rice, maize and tomato production.

The permanent secretary added that farmers would be provided with bags of fertiliser, seeds and agrochemicals at the end of the training.