SOYBEAN: IFDC, IITA, Others Pool Resources to Train Farmers on the Use of Inoculants

soyabeans

As part of efforts to develop and promote the capacity of farmers operating in different agricultural value chain for the purpose of increasing their productivity, the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC), International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and N2 Africa; a Belinda and Bill Gate Foundation sponsored organization has join forces and flagged off a training programme on use of inoculants and  manual planter to plant Soybean variety called TGX 1904 – 6F which was developed and tested by IITA for tropical condition.

It was reported that the training which held at the demonstration farm site of Malete Youth Farm Centre in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State showcased crops of Local Farmers, Women farmers and Youth farmers from the locality.

In his opening remarks, the Chief Consultant Hybrid Agro Biz Consultant, Mohammed Ubale said the three groups involved in the project came up with the inoculants technology option in order to explore and enhance fixation capacity of soybean to fix nitrogen which is always needed by the crop and soil in particular.

“Soybean enriches the soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen into the soil and through this training, farmers will learn how to use inoculants on Soybean to increase their yield especially now that demand for it in the market is on the increase, coupled with the fact that its high tolerant capability cannot be underestimated” he said.

Also speaking, the logistics and training officer, HABC, Shuaib Kadir lauded the small holder farmers for their great contribution to the food needs of the populace even in the face of seasonal challenges.

“We identified that soybean farmers in Kwara State are yet to fully utilize their comparative advantage in the production of this crop and as I speak to you we have a demonstration plot in Oke Oyi and Malete as a way of stepping down the training and by the grace of God, it shall spread through the entire 16 Local Government of the State.

“Another good thing is that the new soybean variety and our monitoring officers would ensure that the 3-7 tons projected per hectare harvest is achieved as against less than 2 tons being recorded by farmers” He noted.

One of the trainers, Mumuni Onimago assured that the absence of the rainfall notwithstanding, the introduction of inoculants will help the nitrogen fixation in the soil to achieve high percentage growth rate.

He added that the organization is looking forward to structuring more farmers into cluster group so that they can all benefit from the off-taker plans they have on ground through an accredited processor.