As part of its corporate social responsibility, the Agribusiness Incubation Centre at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, is to float a radio programme to educate farmers in Abia State on modern techniques of agriculture.
The Director of the centre, Dr Phillips Nto, disclosed the cheering news when members of the Integrated Farmers Association, Abia State chapter, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
He said the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe, has granted approval for the take off of the programme to be christened, Farmers Friday.
He said the VC has also provided the necessary logistics and manpower to ensure that the programme is run efficiently for the benefit of farmers in Abia and adjoining states.
According to Dr Philips Nto, the radio programme will have robust contents tailored for farmers to help enhance their knowledge in agriculture and agribusiness.
” It is the desire of our VC and indeed management of MOUAU that we use this programme to assist farmers to boost their yields, earn more money and improve food security”,he announced.
The director said the centre was already in talks with some selected radio stations in Abia for the speedy take off of the programme, and called on public spirited individuals and institutions to support the exercise through sponsorship.
He also expressed appreciation to the Abia State Government for its interest in the activities of the centre, saying that its decision to sponsor 170 youths to be trained by ABIC was a welcome development.
Dr Nto commended the members of Abia State chapter of Integrated Farmers Association for undertaking the visit to see things for themselves.
He assured them that ABIC MOUAU would always collaborate with all segments of farmers and their associations in the pursuit of achieving food security in Nigeria.
Earlier, the spokesman of the group, Elder Ogba Nwokoro ,disclosed that after hearing much about the positive impact of ABIC, MOUAU, the association members decided to see things for themselves.
He said they were happy with the giant strides made by the centre under the leadership of Dr Philips Nto and expressed the association’s readiness to collaborate with the centre.
Elder Nwokoro, however, disclosed that their members were experiencing some challenges in marketing, storage of products, and access to funds.
He therefore urged the centre to assist the members in overcoming the challenges through an interface with government and private organisations.