Group trains 15,000 farmers to boost maize production

This development was sequel to the training of 15,000 maize farmers in the modern maize farming technique.This was disclosed during the maize farmers’ field day which marked the end of the 6 months intensive training organised by Syngenta, in partnership with International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC), held at Ikara Local government Area of Kaduna State.Speaking […]

This development was sequel to the training of 15,000 maize farmers in the modern maize farming technique.
This was disclosed during the maize farmers’ field day which marked the end of the 6 months intensive training organised by Syngenta, in partnership with International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC), held at Ikara Local government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking during the field day programme, the Programme Manager of Syngenta Nigeria Limited, Iruansi Itoandon, said the training covered areas like land selections, where farmers were taught on land topography, soil texture and vegetable composition.
Itoandon said: “We also taught the farmers on how to conduct land clearing in mild nature such that neither the top soil nor the micro-organism is destroyed. Farmers were also educated on chemical land preparation and planting of maize and seed.”
He added that the farmers have learnt how to use Gramoxone and Primextra gold within 24 hours after planting maize to control weeds and seeds.
Speaking on behalf of the training consultant, the IFDC, Mbabie Ernest said the six months training has already started yielding positive results in the seven pilot local government areas of Kaduna State.
The district head of Gomo and also the Chairman of Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Bagudu, commended Syngenta and IFDC for the six months training, calling on the state and federal governments to assist the organisation to extend the training to other farmers.
A lead farmer from Makarfi and a beneficiary, Tambaya K. Nomau, described the gesture as a welcome development, saying it was inexpensive for the farmers.