The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in conjunction with National Horticulture Research Institute (NIHORT), has trained women on plantain and pineapple postharvest handling and value addition in Oye Local Government Area, Ekiti State.
During the programme, 30 women were trained and empowered.
The training covered postharvest handling of plantains and pineapples as well as methods to expand their shelf-life. It also considered the economics of plantain and pineapple value-added products, record-keeping, and marketing of value-added products.
The training is aimed at building the capacity of women on the postharvest handling and value addition processes for plantains and pineapples for employment generation and wealth creation.
The CEO/Executive Director of NIHORT, Professor Muhammed Lawal Attanda, represented by the Assistant Director/Ag. Head, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Department, NIHORT, Dr I.O. Amao said that horticulture is one of the most viable and sustainable sources of household income, employment generation, enhanced gross domestic product and government revenue.
Furthermore, he brought to the fore the relevance of postharvest handling in reducing postharvest losses from harvesting to distribution and consumption with the use of technologies that ensure that the quality of the crop is not compromised and maintained as high as possible till it gets to the final consumer. He further stated that engaging in value addition of plantains and pineapples are areas that could be tapped into as a means of livelihood.
To conclude his speech, the Executive Director enjoined the participants to make good use of the training opportunity and lessons learnt to improve their well-being.
Chief Joseph Osasona the representative of the Attah of Aiyede Kingdom appreciated the participants for attending the training and told them to take the training serious as well as disseminate the knowledge gained to their friends and families. He also appreciated the Institute and Synergy Impact Consultants Limited for the organisation of the programme.
Two of the participants Mrs Ikupolusi Mojisola and Mrs. Adenike Osasona, appreciated the opportunity to participate in the training and empowerment programme.
One of them attested to the fact that the training served as a means of enhancing previous knowledge on postharvest handling and value addition of plantains and pineapples. Both participants also stated that they were willing to disseminate knowledge acquired through the training.
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