No fewer than 500 women and youth have been empowered with skills in vegetable production, as part of moves to ensure to food security in the country.

The capacity building, conducted by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in conjunction with National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), was carried out in selected communities in Ogun State.

Participants were empowered with starter packs including farm inputs such as seed planters, harvesting baskets, rain coats and rain boots.

They were also taught skills on improved production techniques for the production of the selected crops – Tomato, Telfairia and Okra, as well as the economics of production, marketing and record keeping of these vegetables.

The training focused on capacity building of the selected stakeholders on the production of Tomato, Telfairia and Okra, which are frontline vegetables produced and consumed in Southwest Nigeria and other parts of the country.

In his welcome address, the CEO/Executive Director of NIHORT, Professor Muhammed Lawal Attanda, represented by the Training Coordinator, Hort Consultancy Ventures Limited, Dr Joel Akinfasoye posited that horticulture is an important means of diversifying the nation’s economy from being a mono-product economy.

He stated that the type of vegetables selected for the training programme are species that have huge nutritional, medicinal and economic benefits, which are produced and consumed all over the country and beyond.

In addition, the Executive Director stated that for the participants to benefit maximally from the production of the crops and to contribute to food security, employment generation and wealth creation, adequate capacity building and training on improved production practices is imperative.

In conclusion, Prof Attanda implored participants to make the best use of the golden opportunity offered by the training to acquire knowledge and skills required for their progress as individuals and for the nation at large.

The Chairman of all Secretaries in Obafemi-Owode Local Council, Ogun State, Mr Ashade Enitan Olakunle, who was present at the event stated that the programme was brought to the participants with the aim of improving their production of the selected crops.

He enjoined them to make good use of the knowledge gained to improve their welfare and livelihood.

One of the participants, Pastor Ibironke Olakanmi, who appreciated the organisers for bringing up the training, noted that he is participating in the training to gain more knowledge on the crops of focus.

In the same vein, a female participant, Mrs Adeosun Deborah, also affirmed that she aims to improve her knowledge of tomato, okra and Telfairia production through the capacity building programme, while she appreciated the opportunity to participate in the training and empowerment programme.