Nirsal Trains Over 2,000 Farmers In Imo, Oyo, Sokoto and Kwara States
NIRSAL Plc has successfully concluded a midyear training initiative for lead farmers and extension agents involved in the Aquaculture and Cassava value chains in various locations within Imo, Sokoto, Kwara, and Oyo States. This program, designed to enhance the ability of farmers to secure and repay commercial loans, attracted over 2,000 participants, including representatives from state governments.
Agro Geo-Cooperative® model by Nirsal
As part of its ongoing efforts to advance the Agro Geo-Cooperative® model for primary production, NIRSAL focuses on lead farmers who possess the necessary experience and skills to disseminate new knowledge among their cooperative members during training sessions.
In Imo State, approximately 500 participants gathered at two venues—one urban and one rural—where the emphasis was placed on effective fish production techniques. A similar focus was observed in Sokoto State, while the Nirsal training sessions in Oyo and Kwara concentrated on cassava cultivation.
Mr. Uche Agabige, the Chairman of the Imo State House Committee on Agriculture, commended NIRSAL for incorporating Imo into this capacity-building initiative, expressing confidence that it would enhance local efforts to improve agricultural productivity within the state.
Technical Assistance provided by NIRSAL
Mr. Ibrahim Suleiman, Head of Value Chain Capacity Development at NIRSAL Plc, indicated that this capacity development program is part of the Technical Assistance provided by NIRSAL to stakeholders in the agricultural value chain under its Technical Assistance pillar. This initiative is concurrently taking place in three additional states across four geopolitical zones.
Mr. Suleiman of Nirsal further noted that lead farmers and extension agents in aquaculture and cassava were similarly convened at two urban and rural sites in Sokoto, Oyo, and Kwara States, with the expectation that they will relay the training to approximately 6,000 farmers throughout these regions.
The NIRSAL teams were met with a warm welcome and accolades in various locations, including from the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairman of Akinyele Local Government in Oyo State, and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Farmers’ Interventions, among others.
Furthermore, the training program emphasized the establishment of effective cooperatives with sound governance frameworks, as well as preparedness for potential protocol violations and the implementation of early warning systems. Participants expressed their satisfaction with the new knowledge acquired during the sessions, committing to disseminate this information among their cooperative members.
NIRSAL Plc, an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was created to mitigate risks associated with agricultural and agribusiness financing in Nigeria, aiming to enhance the influx of finance and investment into the Agricultural Value Chain from diverse sources. The rationale for the training exercise in Imo is grounded in one of NIRSAL’s five pillars—Technical Assistance—under which initiatives for value chain enhancement are researched, developed, and promoted.
