By Chinyere Anyanwu
The National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, says it has so far trained 250 communities in agricultural business technologies and tips for success.
The Executive Director of the institute, Chiedozie Egesi, made this known during the foundation laying ceremony of the proposed international conference and e-learning centre by the institute.
Egesi noted that the research institute understood the economic situation of the nation and was doing everything to empower Nigerians with the agribusiness knowledge to boost food production, as well as reduce poverty to the lowest level.
He lauded the visions of President Muhammadu Buhari in agriculture and thanked the Okezie Ikpeazu administration in Abia State for providing an enabling environment for the institute to succeed.
Earlier in his keynote address, Prof. Sule Ochai, from African Development Bank, Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, emphasised the need for government at levels to equip small scale farmers to enable them enhance their income generation as well as grow the national economy.
Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikoh, who commended the contributions of NRCRI, Umudike, in agricultural and business innovations, said the institute’s achievements were in tandem with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s policies in economy and industrialisation.
The Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, who was represented by Prof. Udo Harbert, said root and crop development was the bedrock to adequate food security and economic advancement.
Iwe emphasised that no nation could grow without adequate food security, and praised the NRCRI for researching and developing different technologies in food and agricultural business.
The Vice Chancellor described the Umudike-based school as a key partner with the Michael Okpara University in research and food production.