By Chibuzo Ihegboro
Nigeria’s integrated farming company, Amicable Mondiale Farms, has rolled out its timetable for a five-day international agro-business training in Porto-Novo, the capital of the Republic of Benin.
This follows weeks of registration, which came to a close on July 15, 2024.
The training, scheduled for August 4-8, 2024, will cover a vast area of the agriculture business, including food processing, animal husbandry, crop production, renewable energies and animal nutrition.
The farm’s CEO, Amaka Chukwudum, who revealed that the training will be conducted in partnership with a farm in Porto Novo, said participants will be exposed to first-hand experience in the production, research and development of sustainable agriculture in an integrated farming system.
“Many farms failed because there was no mentorship and no basic understanding of the rudiments of farm management. That is why we are organising this master course for farm managers,” she said.
Amicable Mondiale Farms, one of the most successful agricultural companies in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, has farms in four states of Nigeria (Kebbi, Ogun, Niger and Anambra) and is a leading promoter of organic farming in the country.
Amaka Chukwudum, who has a MBA in food production from Netherlands Business School, trains farmers every year in all aspects of agriculture.
According to her, participants during the five-day programme will be trained in various areas, including the processing of dried fruits, juice, syrup and jams, and the production of probiotics and soy milk and oil.
Aside from learning the craft of organic soap making, participants who have interests in animal husbandry will learn about maggot breeding and how to breed ducks, quails, and grass cutters, among others.
The crop production classes will cover mushroom farming and advanced organic agriculture techniques, including mulching, tillage and planting activities, among other areas.
Similarly, the basics of biogas, solar energy, gasifiers, biofuel and the recycling of plastic will also be imparted to farm managers during the five-day hands-on training.
