Rep. Jeremiah Umaru (APC- Akwanga/Nasarawa-Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency) at the national assembly has trained 220 farmers in his constituency on modern storage techniques to avoid wastage.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of training on Thursday in Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State the member said the training was to equip the farmers with the technical knowhow to ensure food security.
Umaru who was represented by Bala Moses-John, his Special Adviser on constituency projects, said that the training would be for two days.
He added that the training and empowerment programme for farmers was in collaboration with the Federal College of Agriculture, Produce Technology, Kano, Kano State.
He explained that at the end of the training on Friday, every participant would be given one pumping machine, three bags of fertiliser, knapsack sprayer, and other farming inputs.
The law maker said that the farmers were drown from the 35 electoral wards of the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) that made up the constituency.
Akwanga has 11 electoral wards, Nassarawa-Eggon 14 while Wamba has 10 electoral wards respectively.
He explained that the farmers who hitherto relied only on traditional method of storage, were told some of the modern storage techniques.
Umaru promised to continue to operate an open door policy and carry the people of the area along irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political party affiliations.
“I have designed a comprehensive blueprint to tackle the numerous challenges confronting the people of my constituency.
“I have a programme to tackle the electricity problem, empower the youths and women, empower farmers to ensure food security, promote sporting activities among others,” he added.
The law maker further said that he has also sponsored six bills which had already passed first reading and one motion at the green chamber to attract federal government presence to his constituency.
The member therefore, promised that by the grace of God he would give the constituency the best representation they deserved to justify their vote at the polls.
Speaking at the event, Mr Newton Anderson, representative of Federal College of Agriculture, Produce Technology Kano, said he came to ensure that real farmers actually benefit from the programme.
He explained that this is the first time such large number of farmers are benefiting from their institution courtesy Rep.Umaru.
Also, Mr. Vincent Haruna, Consultant of the programme said the training was necessitated by the desire to teach farmers why to embrace modern storage techniques of their food items.
“The traditional method exposes the grains to contamination thereby constitute danger to our health.
He said that grains are stored using the improved methods such as bags, silos, warehouses, containers, and even in piles on the ground.
The consultant also advised farmers to desist from using chemicals for storing grains because of its health implications.
He explained that farming is a lucrative business with value chain sufficient enough to turn around the lives of the people and transform the economy of the country.
In his goodwill message, Adams Maka-Nangba, District Head of Wakama lauded the law maker for the capacity building on safer storage of grains.
He therefore, promised that the beneficiaries would utilize the knowledge gained for the benefit of the state. (NAN).