Group empowers agro- input anchors to tackle pest attacks in Kano

DETERMINED to find lasting solution to the rising pest attack on agricultural production, Hortinigeria has empowered 23 agro- input dealers on best chemical application and management in Kano, Kano State.

The marketers, drawn across diverse groups, including retailers of seeds, fertilisers and other segments, were also equipped to provide expert guidance to farmers on management of Tuta Absoluta, a deadly tomato pests.

Speaking during the closing session of the training, Agribusiness Coordinator, Hortinigeria, Mr. Danjuma Makama, said the training was part of the foundation laying for productive and sustainable horticultural practice in Nigeria.

Makama said the programme, targeted at boosting horticulture value chain was also intended to advance dealers knowledge and skills while fostering a strong agribusiness clusters in the state.

He explained that Hortinigeria is implementing a Tuta Absoluta Integrated Pest Management ( IPM) campaign on demonstration plot in Kano, where agro- input dealers are being trained on best approach to eradicate the tomato disease.

On the objective of the training, Makama said the goal is to build knowledge and create ripple effect that will benefit the entire agribusiness clusters being established in collaboration with actors across the various nodes of the value chain in Kano. He stressed that by investing in the education and empowerment of the dealers, Hortinigeria is contributing to production of food and nutrition security of Kano and Nigeria as a whole.

“The dealers will provide farmers with advisory services on the solutions to tackle the pest while providing the necessary inputs to deal with it. Beyond this, as the first point of contact for farmers, agroinput dealers offer access to improve seeds, quality fertilisers and agro- chemicals, crucial for producing high quality vegetables.