Executive Director of the institute, Dr. Aliyu Umar, disclosed this shortly while declaring opened a three-day workshop on grains harvest, handling and preservation for farmers in Bida.
He explained that the training was to equip the beneficiaries with skills to reduce rice post harvest losses.
The executive director said the programme was part of the institute’s empowerment initiative to the rice farmers to attain food self-sufficiency.
Umar noted that rice production is among the major sources of employment and income for many farming households in the country. He commended the Federal Government for prioritising the agricultural sector to boost food production and socio-economic development of the country.
“This is one of the projects under the 2022 appropriation and bankrolled by the Federal Government. Over 150 youths and women are benefitting from this gesture. They will be impacted with skills on rice post harvest handling, preservation and storage. This is to reduce the huge losses that accompany rice production,” he said.
The executive director called on the beneficiaries to take the training with all seriousness for the overall development of the country. “I want to call on the beneficiaries to consider themselves lucky to be selected for this laudable project. They should take the training seriously to turn their fortunes for good.”
He also called on Nigerians to embrace rice production, especially dry season rice farming, considering its importance to human and socio-economic development.
The executive director assured of the institute’s continued commitment to boost research and key into different policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of Nigerians.
The beneficiaries appreciated the management of NCRI for the opportunity, with a promise to share the skills received at the training with other farmers to ensure bumper harvest of rice.
