NRCRI empowers 20,000 on Root and Tuber crops value addition

The National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, has trained and empowered over 20,000 rural women and youths on Production Technologies and Value Addition to Root and Tuber Crops.

Executive Director of the institute, Dr Julius Okonkwo, announced this at a three-day training workshop organised for 120 rural women and youths of six host communities at Awom Na Ebo Secondary Technical School, Amawom in Ikwuano Local Government Area of the state.

He expressed that the training was part of efforts to complement Federal Government’s efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment.

Highlighting core aspects of the training, Okonkwo noted that with the new technologies for income generation and improved, disease resistant cassava and sweet potato varieties, the farmers would be able to kick-start their own enterprises.

“We expect the trainees to effectively use the knowledge they acquired to create wealth and employ members of their families in the business”.

The Guardian reports that the Executive Director also pledged support of the NRCRI to empower the farmers, using technological innovations to encourage their entrepreneurial interest to boost food supply.