Trainees with suckers of the newly released HORTIPLAN and HORTIBAN plantain/banana
FG, NIHORT Empower Plantain Farmers with New HORTIPLAN, HORTIBAN Varieties.
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), has trained 67 farmers on rapid multiplication and orchard management of the newly released HORTIPLAN and HORTIBAN plantain and banana varieties in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The beneficiaries, drawn from the Agric Mate Farewell to Poverty Association of Nigeria, participated in the training held at Akogun Olusidodo Hall, Ondo Road, Ile-Ife.
HORTIPLAN and HORTIBAN are newly developed, registered and released plantain and banana varieties by NIHORT.
The varieties are high-yielding, possess high suckering ability, are tolerant to nematodes and weevils, and have long shelf life.
The improved varieties are also suitable for boiling, frying, roasting and flour production, while adapting well to diverse agro-ecological zones across the country.
The training brought together stakeholders in the plantain and banana value chain, including men, women and youths from Ile-Ife and surrounding communities.
A team of NIHORT scientists and technologists guided participants through both theoretical and practical sessions on rapid multiplication techniques, orchard management, pest and disease control, economics of production, record keeping and marketing strategies.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of NIHORT, Prof. Muhammad Lawal Attanda, represented by the Head of the Farming Systems and Extension Department, Dr. Iyabo Adeoye, said the initiative would strengthen the Federal Government’s agricultural development drive and improve food security.
She noted that the training would enhance plantain and banana production, reduce post-harvest losses and improve the incomes of farming households.
According to her, plantain remains a major food security crop and a reliable source of income for smallholder farmers because it is easier to cultivate and maintain than many other cash crops that require huge financial investments.
She described plantain farming as a low-capital but highly profitable agribusiness, adding that most Nigerian soils are suitable for its cultivation.
Adeoye further stated that plantain and banana serve as raw materials for several processed products, including confectionery flour, infant meals, plantain chips and banana chips.
She stressed that sustained capacity building and stakeholder engagement on innovations such as HORTIPLAN1, HORTIPLAN2, HORTIBAN1 and HORTIBAN2 are essential for increasing production, value addition and marketing within the plantain and banana value chain.
She urged participants to maximise the knowledge and skills acquired during the training.
The Chairman of the Agric Mate Farewell to Poverty Association, Chief Isaac Omidiora, and the Secretary, Mr. Abdul Haleem Sulyman, commended the Federal Government and NIHORT for the initiative, noting that it would significantly boost plantain and banana productivity in Osun State.
They also praised NIHORT for developing improved horticultural crop varieties aimed at enhancing food security in Nigeria.
Participants expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and NIHORT, saying the training would improve their production, management and marketing capacities.
Certificates of participation, training manuals and suckers of the newly released varieties were distributed to participants at the end of the programme.
The initiative forms part of NIHORT’s public engagement efforts in support of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda on food security and employment generation.