Hon. Israel Amanze, the Programme Manager of Abia State Agricultural Development Programme, (ADP), has expressed satisfaction over the commitment of coordinating office of the Abia State Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) towards ensuring the Monthly Technology Review Meeting, (MTRM), which had been abandoned by the government due to paucity of funds.
Hon. Amanze gave the commendation on Thursday at the National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Abia state after a section of the MTRM. He also added that the agro sector has suffered serious setbacks due to the negligence of the government while also adding that the MTRM was last held about 10 years ago.
In his own words: “”This has not been held for more than 10 years due to financial reasons, because of paucity of funds. But today, to the glory of God LIFE-ND decided to sponsor the MTRM and they’ve also decided to continue to sponsor it in line with the MoU.”
Speaking about the importance and impact of MTRM, Hon. Amanze hinted that it is a platform where top Extension managers, the technical session of ADP, interface, interact, share ideas and thoughts with research fellows on critical issues concerning agriculture, enabling technology transfer through step down training at the local level.
Another resource person at MTRM, Dr. Sir Ugochukwu Onyegbule an expert in Oil Palm and Marketing also applauded the initiative of LIFE-ND to restore the MTRM. He narrated various steps of oil processing to marketing for the understanding of the participants.
Dr. Ugochukwu recalled the glory days of oil palm boom which was a major source of internally generated revenue in the state and country. He also added that the chase of white collar jobs also caused a major setback in oil palm production. He however expressed joy that LIFE-ND is collaborating to make it come realizable again.
The 3-day meeting produced a communique which was issued at the end of the session.
The participants gave the following recommendations:
- Substentance of MTRM from February, 2022.
2.The presentation and adoption of reports by three zones: Aba, Ohafia and Umuahia before distribution to various departments.
- Recommendations to be stepped down to target groups through Extension Agents.
- Farmers to patronize research for improved and disease resistant seeds.
- Farmers to source inputs from certified agents and research Institutions with linkage groups .
The MTRM was held from December 6-8 December, 2022, at Research Institute Umudike,
Abia LIFE-ND officers who participated in the training are: Agribusiness Promotion Officer, Chukwuekezie Godwin, Climate Change Specialist Mr. Chidozie Kanu, Nutrition Mainstreaming Specialist, Mr. Chioma Obasi and Monitoring and State Evaluation Officer, Mr. Azubuike Ogbonna, including the organizer Deacon Anthony Nwaobilor.
The LIFE-ND Project is being funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development(IFAD).
Also involved in the project are the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Federal Ministry of Finance, budget and National Planning, and the United Nations.
The project is ongoing in Niger-Delta States.
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