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The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has officially launched a Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) training programme to enhance the skills of cassava farmers and processors in southwest Nigeria.
The programme, which aims to reach over 6,000 beneficiaries, is particularly focused on empowering women and youths.
The week-long training, facilitated by the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, kicked off with the first batch of 1,000 participants, consisting of farmers and processors.
This marks the initial phase of the training series, which is expected to span over three years.
AATF had previously committed, during the inauguration of the Cassava Mechanisation and Agro-Processing Facility in April 2024, to train 6,000 farmers and processors.
The initiative will gradually scale up with 1,000 trainees in 2024, 2,000 in 2025, and 3,000 in 2026.
In addition to the farmers, the programme will include 1,000 processors, primarily women from Oyo and Ogun states, with a focus on value addition in cassava processing.
By equipping them with essential skills, the training seeks to improve their livelihoods through better production methods and increased value creation.
Speaking during the launch of the training programme, Mr. Kehinde Jimoh, AATF’s Programme Officer for Agribusiness, emphasised that the initiative was part of AATF’s broader commitment to enhancing the productivity of cassava farmers and processors.
He stated, “This training is focused on empowering farmers and processors with best agronomic practices and value addition strategies, which will lead to significant improvements in their livelihoods and cassava productivity.”
Dr. Adeyemi Olojede, Director of Tuber Crops Research at NRCRI, expressed his delight at the institute’s involvement in the programme.
He noted the importance of the training not only in boosting cassava production but also in enhancing value addition, which will provide farmers with alternative income streams.
“Due to the significant impact this training will have on cassava farmers in southwest Nigeria, NRCRI has deployed a team of experts to ensure that the objectives are met, and that the facility contributes to the nation’s food security efforts,” said Dr. Olojede.
The training programme, hosted by AATF and facilitated by NRCRI experts, is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with AATF, Agridrive Ltd., and Clayuca Corporation.
The training covers critical areas such as best agronomic practices, cassava value addition, and prudent financial management, all within the framework of the “Mechanisation of Cassava Production and Processing Project” under the Fund for the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture (i4Ag).
The initiative is expected to significantly contribute to improving cassava farming and processing in Nigeria, ensuring that farmers are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance productivity and sustain their livelihoods.
