The National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, has trained 1,000 cassava farmers and processors in the southwest region of Nigeria, as part of an ongoing initiative to enhance cassava farming and processing practices across the country.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme held at Fashola Farm in Oyo State, the Director of Tuber Crops Research at NRCRI, Adeyemi Olojede, announced that the training will benefit a total of 6,000 farmers and processors over the next three years, with a focus on women and youth.
“This programme is designed to equip participants with essential skills that will improve cassava production and value addition, ultimately enhancing their livelihoods,” Olojede said.
The training, which is facilitated by NRCRI, is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) in collaboration with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Agridrive Ltd., and Clayuca Corporation.
Olojede explained that the programme’s first phase has started with 1,000 farmers and processors, while subsequent batches will see an additional 2,000 trainees in 2025 and 3,000 in 2026.
The programme will also focus on 1,000 women processors from Oyo and Ogun states, who will be trained in value addition to improve cassava processing and boost income generation.
Kehinde Jimoh, the Programme Officer for Agribusiness at AATF, emphasized that the training aligns with the foundation’s commitment to increasing cassava productivity and improving the livelihoods of farmers and processors.
“This initiative provides farmers with best agronomic practices and value addition strategies, which will significantly enhance cassava productivity and create alternative income streams,” Jimoh added.
The programme marks the initial phase of AATF’s broader plan to mechanise cassava farming and improve agro-processing in Nigeria.