BY BENJAMIN OMOIKE………The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), in collaboration with the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA), has distributed improved tomato seeds variety to vegetable farmers in Lagos state, so as to ensure competitiveness of domestic products in the country.
RMRDC, an agency for research institutions, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, is responsible for industrial raw materials growth, promotion and utilisation.
Speaking at the Presentation Ceremony of the improved seedlings to farmers at the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority Center, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos, Director General RMRDC, Professor Ibrahim Hussaini Dokko, represented by RMRDC coordination officer Lagos, Oluwasola Marinho disclosed that having recognised the significant contribution of the State to the economic development of the country, it is imperative for vegetable farmers in Lagos to benefit from the programme.
Marinho noted that in line with the national policy of developing the value chain of some strategic crops, especially tomato as a staple commodity, achieve the federal government economic diversification agenda, ensure food security, and address the challenge of raw materials deficit in the sub-sector, access to improved seeds variety must be guaranteed.
He added that farmers should be expecting more improved materials from the RMRDC going forward, while urging them to adhere to the economic manual made available to them by the agency, so as for them to smile to the bank at the end of the planting season.
Also speaking at the event, President of Ugwu and Vegetable Farmers Association in Lagos State, Mr Solomon Ayoade, commended RMRDC, Federal ministry of Science and Technology, Lagos State Government as well as LSADA for the initiative, while also urging it’s members to make better use of the seedlings so as to ensure food security in the state, the country and beyond
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