In Ibadan, a three-day capacity development workshop on enhanced productivity commenced on Wednesday, drawing participants from various fields, including agricultural researchers, geneticists, breeders, farmers, and seed industry stakeholders.
This workshop was organized by the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) SeedEqual Initiative in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
Workshop trains seed stakeholders
The workshop coordinator, Prof. Morufat Balogun, a geneticist, explained that the event aimed to provide training for seed stakeholders, particularly in Vegetatively-Propagated Crops (VPC) like cassava, sweet potato, banana/plantain, and yam.
The focus was on utilizing digital tools, specifically seed trackers, to access seeds and other planting materials.
Prof. Balogun emphasized that by the end of the workshop, participants, especially farmers, should be well-informed about the various seed varieties in vegetative-propagated crops available with breeders.
She highlighted the benefits of the seed tracker technology, which is internet-ready and compatible with smartphones, allowing farmers to link up along the seed value chain.
The workshop is part of the SeedEqual Initiative’s geo-targeting activities, recognizing that different geographical locations have unique climate, agriculture, and seed demand characteristics.
Prof. Balogun stressed the importance of adapting seed supply to specific agro-climatic environments, which can lead to increased yields, better profits, and improved food security.
She encouraged farmers to embrace technology and the wealth of information available online.
She urged farmers to involve younger generations in agriculture, emphasizing that modern agriculture has evolved beyond traditional methods and offers economic opportunities.
Prof. Balogun concluded by encouraging farmers to collaborate, share knowledge, and join cluster associations for legal support and government recognition.
One of the participants, Krystle Ambayec-Dino from IRRI, explained that the workshop would equip stakeholders with knowledge about accessing quality seeds through seed tracker applications.
Ambayec-Dino encouraged participants to share their newfound knowledge with others who were not present.