The Zamfara State Local Government Service Commission, in collaboration with Gadabo Farms and General Enterprises Limited, has organised a three-day training workshop for 42 agricultural Extension Officers and Deputy Directors in the State.
The workshop focused on capacity building in harvesting, post-harvest handling, and storage techniques across the state’s 14 local government areas.
The Executive Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu Mafara, was represented at the opening ceremony by the Permanent Commissioner II of the commission, Alhaji Anas Iliyasu Birninsin, held at the multipurpose hall of the State Agricultural Development Project, Samaru Area, Gusau, the state capital.
Declaring the workshop open, Mafara stressed that the workshop’s theme, “Harvest, Post-Harvest, and Storage Techniques of Cereal, Bean, and Groundnut,” was both timely and necessary.
He noted that the workshop brought together a dedicated group of frontline professionals comprising Deputy Directors and Agricultural Extension Officers whose work is essential to the sustainability, productivity, and prosperity of the agricultural sector.
According to him, agriculture does not end at harvest: “The journey of every grain, every bean, and every nut continues through critical stages of post-harvest handling, processing, and storage.”
Alhaji Aliyu further explained that it is during these stages that substantial losses can happen not due to droughts or pests in the field, but because of gaps in knowledge, infrastructure, or technology. These losses impact not only farmers’ incomes but also national food security and market competitiveness.
The chairman further observed that, “over the next three days, we will explore best practices in harvesting techniques to reduce field losses.”
He explained that adopting effective post-harvest handling procedures to maintain quality and minimise contamination, along with learning modern, cost-effective storage technologies, can extend shelf life and uphold the market value of farm products.
Aliyu urged the participants to strengthen their ability as change agents to take the knowledge back to the communities for implementation, adding that the workshop was designed to be participatory, practical, and impactful.
“I encourage each one of you to ask questions, share your experiences, and contribute to the collaborative learning process, as an examination will be conducted after the training, before issuing a certificate of attendance. The knowledge gained will multiply in value as it is extended to the thousands of farmers who depend on guidance,” the executive chairman stated.
He applauded the Executive Governor of the State, Dauda Lawal (Gamjin Gusau), for his unwavering support, cooperation and encouragement given to the commission. He described the support as instrumental to the commission’s achievements.
Speaking earlier, the commission’s Secretary, Barr. Shafi’u Bukhari, represented by the Director of Administration, Mukhtar Sani, urged the participants to be committed to improving the livelihoods of farmers and advancing the agricultural potential of the state, which is richly blessed with fertile land and hardworking farmers engaged in diverse agricultural production.
He further said that a significant portion of what is produced is lost after harvest due to improper handling, lack of storage facilities, poor transportation, and limited access to modern preservation methods.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Gadabo Farms and General Enterprises Limited, Alhaji Aliyu Altine Shinkafi, said that the Importance of the training in agriculture remains the backbone of the state economy, employing the majority of our rural population, adding that the efforts of hardworking farmers, a significant portion of the harvest is lost annually due to poor harvesting practices, inadequate storage, and an inefficient handling and transport system.
