BATNF, NHRI collaborate to boost agriculture with intensive training

In line with the transformational reforms in the agricultural sector by the presidency, and also yielding more production in vegetable farming, British America Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in collaboration with National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Ibadan, offered an intensive pre- test training exercise to farmers under the aegis of Oshodi Women Vegetable Farmers.

“With vegetable farmers already having low yields from their agricultural produce, due to factors ranging from lack of technology to technical ineptitude. The training is specifically targeted at these small scale vegetable farmers who neither have the requisite skills nor the facilities. Trainees will be tailored through all the fundamentals of vegetable modern practice,” said Yomi Oluyole, project manager, BATNF.

According to him, the BATNF is a charity organ that is keen on the livelihood of farmers, and we have partnered with a reputable horticultural research institute in Africa to transform agriculture from where it is presently to the modern state.

Commenting on how the vegetable farmers in Oshodi were reached, he said: “The Lagos State commissioner for agriculture had introduced us to the farmers there, while those farmers in Ajara Estate also introduced us to Oshodi women vegetable farmers. We are all over the country reaching out to different group of farmers in different areas.

According to Adebisi Adelani, chief facilitator, National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI), Ibadan, it was crystal clear that when our team came to the farm, the women vegetable farmers in Oshodi have been doing the wrong thing, and that is the reason we have come, so as to give them modern ideas of cultivating vegetables with the aim of having adequate production output.

For instance, they planted two different vegetable crops together, such as shoko and ugu, this is absolutely wrong. It will affect the production output of the crops, and that has been corrected. However, the training will be continued and sustained, she said.

Speaking with Veronica Daniel, a trainee and also president, Oshodi Women Vegetable Farmers, she agreed that a lot have been achieved from the training, noting that the members were now aware of the implication of planting two vegetable crops together.

“We have learnt how to do compost and other modern techniques that will help in yielding our crops. However, the challenges still remain – having access to loans, fertiliser, manure, and modern tools for farming. If these things are in place, it will be a mission accomplish, it is not restricted to trainings alone,” she said.

Justice Godfrey Okamgba