Enugu State Officials Conduct Agricultural Training in Igbo-Eze South

Representatives from the Enugu State Agricultural Development Programme (ENADEP) conducted an educational outreach in the Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area on Thursday, January 22nd. The visit focused on imparting knowledge to local farmers regarding contemporary farming practices and efficient post-harvest storage methods.

The ENADEP team was present in the region as part of a scheduled sensitisation tour centered on post-farming and post-harvest activities.

Upon their arrival at the Igbo-Eze South Council Secretariat in Ibagwa-Aka, the visiting officials were formally welcomed by the Council Chairman, Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze. He expressed that this program is a clear manifestation of Governor Peter Mbah's administration's dedication to achieving food security, boosting agricultural value addition, and supporting the economic empowerment of farmers throughout Enugu State.

The ENADEP delegation, headed by its Programme Manager, Professor Samuel Onyishi, included other key personnel such as the Zonal Manager for the Agricultural zone, Jacinta Eze, and the State Director of Nutrition, Calister Asogwa.

During the session, Mrs. Eze provided detailed instruction to the farmers from Igbo-Eze South on critical aspects of crop management. Her guidance covered timely harvesting, appropriate storage procedures, and effective processing techniques for staple crops like maize, cassava, and beans, with a particular emphasis on retaining their nutritional value.

Mrs. Asogwa, the State Director of Nutrition, led a practical demonstration focused on the processing of tomatoes into paste. She underscored the importance of maintaining hygiene, implementing preservation strategies, and adding value to agricultural produce.

In his address to the ENADEP team, Chairman Ukwueze lauded the governor of Enugu State for his foresight and strong commitment to transforming the agricultural sector from a subsistence livelihood to a source of significant productivity and prosperity.

Mr. Ukwueze stated that the sensitisation initiative is particularly timely and is expected to significantly contribute to the reduction of post-harvest losses and the enhancement of farmers' incomes within the Igbo-Eze South area.

He pledged the unwavering support of the local council and assured the ENADEP team of their readiness to actively collaborate on all initiatives aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector and improving the overall welfare of farmers in the council.

"Together, we will continue to champion policies and foster partnerships that ensure food sufficiency and promote sustainable development for our community," the chairman affirmed.