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The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) –Cassava Weed Management Project (CWMP) in collaboration with Building an Economically Sustainable Integrated Seed System for Cassava (BASICS) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have trained 35 extension agents in Benue state on weed management.
At the one day training on weed management in cassava farming systems, extension service providers were taught on ways to adopt and disseminate best bet weed management practices including appropriate spacing, tillage, use of improved varieties, and the use of safe and environmentally friendly herbicides to farmers.
The training, which was held in Makurdi, was part of efforts to extend the knowledge generated by the IITA-CWMP to farmers especially beneficiaries of the BASICS project, and address the challenge of weeds in cassava farming systems in Nigeria.
Hemant Nitturkar, project director of BASICS said the collaboration between BASICS and IITA-CWMP is aimed at harnessing the expertise from weed management and cassava seeds system with the overall aim of increasing the yield of cassava.
The training, facilitated by Godwin Atser, communication and knowledge exchange expert, IITA covered areas such as land preparation and best agronomic practices, types of weeds, types of herbicides, herbicides application and calibration, and safe use of herbicides.
There was also a practical session where participants were exposed to tips on application and spraying.
Alfred Dixon, project leader, IITA-CWMP, welcomed the inter-project collaboration, stressing that it was a step in the right direction.
“No one project can solve the problems of cassava. We need to work together and empower the farmers on all fronts,” Dixon said.
“I commend IITA-CWMP, BASICS, and CRS for organizing this training of trainers,” he added.
Also speaking after the training, Emmanuel Okwor, extension service provider, who works with the Benue State Agricultural Development Authority (BNARDA), said “I used to think taking milk was an antidote to herbicide ingestion but today I have come to realize that milk does not help reduce the effect of herbicides on human health.”
Earlier Emmanuel Azaino, Program Manager for CRS and convener of the training, urged participants to use the training for the benefit of farmers in their domain.
He expressed optimism that the training would go a long way in addressing the constraints in weed management and help cassava seeds (stems) producers to maximize the gains from their investment in seed production.
Josephine Okojie
