AATF Launches Agronomic Practices Training Programme For Nigerian Cassava Farmers

The director of tuber crops research at National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Dr. Adeyemi Olojede moderating a session during the training. © AATF

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has launched a good agronomic practices (GAP) training programme to improve the skills of cassava farmers and processors in southwest Nigeria.

The programme targets over 6,000 beneficiaries, with a particular focus on empowering women and youth.

The weeklong training, facilitated by the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) in Umudike, began with an initial batch of 1,000 participants. These farmers and processors are the first of many to undergo training over the next three years. AATF had committed during the inauguration of the Cassava Mechanisation and Agro-Processing Facility in April 2024 to train 6,000 individuals. The initiative will progressively expand with 1,000 trainees in 2024, 2,000 in 2025 and 3,000 in 2026.

A core aspect of the program focuses on women from Oyo and Ogun states, with 1,000 processors receiving training on value addition in cassava processing. By equipping these processors with essential skills, the initiative aims to improve livelihoods by enhancing production methods and promoting value creation in cassava farming.

Speaking at the launch, AATF’s Program Officer for Agribusiness, Mr. Kehinde Jimoh, highlighted the broader goals of the initiative. He said, “This training empowers farmers and processors with best agronomic practices and value addition strategies, which will lead to significant improvements in their livelihoods and cassava productivity.”

Director of tuber crops research at NRCRI, Dr. Adeyemi Olojede also expressed enthusiasm about the program’s potential impact. He emphasised the importance of the training in boosting cassava production and providing alternative income streams for farmers through enhanced value addition. “NRCRI has deployed a team of experts to ensure the training achieves its goals and contributes to the nation’s food security,” Olojede said.

The training, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, is facilitated by NRCRI experts in collaboration with AATF, Agridrive Ltd. and Clayuca Corporation. It covers key areas such as best agronomic practices, value addition in cassava processing and financial management. The program is part of the “Mechanization of Cassava Production and Processing Project” under the Fund for the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture (i4Ag).

This initiative is expected to significantly improve cassava farming and processing in Nigeria, ensuring that farmers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to boost productivity and sustain their livelihoods.