The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Horticulture Research Institute (NIHORT), has empowered 300 youths and women in Lere Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, with skills in tomato and okra production, value addition, and seed production.
The training program, conducted by NIHORT, covered a wide range of topics, including nursery practices, transplanting techniques, field management, harvesting, postharvest handling, value addition, and economic analysis. The goal is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish sustainable agricultural enterprises.
Professor Attanda Mohammed Lawal, Executive Director of NIHORT, highlighted the importance of tomato and okra as commercially viable crops. He emphasized the need for capacity building and stakeholder engagement to maximize their potential.
By promoting the cultivation and processing of these crops, the Federal Government aims to diversify the Nigerian economy and create employment opportunities.
The participants expressed their gratitude to the Federal Government and NIHORT for the valuable training. They are optimistic that the acquired skills will enable them to start their own agricultural ventures and improve their livelihoods.
