The Enugu State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, launched a two-day capacity-building workshop on Tuesday to improve the skills of about 120 agricultural extension agents and farmers from all 17 local government areas.
The purpose of the training is to educate farmers on the most effective methods for applying both inorganic and organic fertilizers to their crops and trees to achieve improved yields.
At the launch of the two-day capacity-building workshop, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Hon. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Mbah for generously providing free bags of fertilizer to farmers for the current farming season.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Victor Ngwu, Ubru noted that in the past, farmers often purchased fertilizers without understanding which crops they were best suited for, highlighting that fertilizers designed for grains should not be used on root crops.
He explained that the workshop aims to equip participants with essential knowledge on the proper use of fertilizers to maximize yields, thereby increasing crop production for both personal and commercial purposes.
The Commissioner encouraged participants to fully engage in the training, urging them to be attentive and collaborative with the facilitators to gain valuable insights that would enhance their productivity.
The Director of Extension Services at the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Mrs. Angela Okolo, explained that Enugu State has been divided into six agricultural zones, with participants selected from each zone. These participants will, in turn, train other farmers on the effective application of fertilizers.
Okolo also noted that extension agents had already been trained to mentor selected farmer representatives, known as Contact Farmers, who will further disseminate the knowledge to other farmers.
Explaining the purpose of the training, Mrs. Angela Okolo emphasized that while farmers were familiar with fertilizers, they needed guidance on proper application techniques to avoid damaging their crops and instead promote healthy growth.
Mrs. Francisca Nwonu, a resource person, provided insights into the different types of fertilizers and their purposes, noting that they contain essential nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, which support crop growth.
She stressed the importance of conducting soil tests before planting to determine the appropriate fertilizer for optimal results.
Chinwe Wisdom, a participant, expressed appreciation to the Enugu State Government and the Commissioner for Agriculture for organizing the workshop, describing it as highly enlightening.
“I have benefited from the ministry’s programs before, but this workshop is especially impactful in promoting food production,” she said.