Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, says his administration will continue to invest in agricultural development through training and retraining of farmers to enhance their capacity to absorb and retain innovations in the Agriculture Sector.
Governor Otti who stated this, during the Annual Review and Research Planning Workshop organized by National Root Crop Research Institute Umudike NRCRI, held at NRCRI Library Conference Hall, announced that in this Year’s farming season, his administration is devoting more investment in purchasing and distributing external inputs to farmers as well as working hard to establish Demonstration Farms across the State.
The Governor represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze, commended the Executive Director of National Root Crop Research Institute Umudike, Professor Chiedozie Egesi, his Management Team and Scientists in the Institute for their focus on roots and Root Crops Research Development and reiterated his administration’s readiness to partner the institute to upscale agricultural research through grants and dissemination of innovative agricultural technologies.
In their remarks, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by the State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Aloysius Chibuzor, the Keynote Speaker, Dr Chris Dimkpa and Immediate Past Acting Executive Director, National Root Crop Research Institute Umudike, Dr Godwin Asumugha, said the occasion marks a significant milestone in their collective efforts in advancing agricultural research, particularly in the areas of roots and tuber crops towards achieving food security and sustainability development in Nigeria.
In his address, the Executive Director, National Root Crop Research Institute Umudike, Professor Chiedozie Egesi, said the event highlights the remarkable strides of the Institute in advancing agricultural research and development particularly in root and tuber crops to enhance food security.
Professor Egesi noted that the institute under review took several impact training initiatives which is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu aimed at fostering strong partnership, strategic planning and ensuring active Stakeholders engagement.
The event which featured crop exhibition and goodwill messages attracted the presence of Members of the Academia, Scientists and Traditional Rulers.
