The Federal Government has trained and empowered 30 women farmers in Ekiti State on Plantain and Pineapple postharvest handling and value addition in line with the initiatives of employment generation and wealth creation.
The training, conducted by the National Horticulture Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Oyo State, held at Oye Local Council, Ekiti State, covered postharvest handling of plantain and pineapple, as well as methods to expand their shelf-life. It also considered the economics of plantain and pineapple value added products, record keeping and marketing of value-added products.
The CEO/Executive Director of NIHORT, Prof. Muhammed Lawal Attanda, represented by the Assistant Director/Acting Head, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Department, NIHORT, Dr I.O. Amao said horticulture is one of the most viable and sustainable sources of household income, employment generation, enhanced gross domestic product and government revenue.
He brought to fore, the relevance of postharvest handling in reducing postharvest losses from harvesting to distribution and consumption with the use of technologies that ensure that the quality of the crop is not compromised and maintained as high as possible till it gets to the final consumer.
Prof. Attanda stated that engaging in value addition of plantain and pineapple are areas that could be tapped into as a means of livelihood.
He enjoined the participants to make good use of the training opportunity and lessons learnt to improve their wellbeing.
The representative of the Attah of Aiyede Kingdom, Chief Joseph Osasona, who appreciated the participants for attending the training, enjoined them to take the training serious, as well as disseminate the knowledge gained to their friends and families.
Two of the participants, Mrs Ikupolusi Mojisola and Mrs Adenike Osasona lauded the opportunity to participate in the training and empowerment programme. They attested to the fact that the training served as a means of enhancing their previous knowledge on postharvest handling and value addition of plantain and pineapple.
