Date: 2016-11-21

The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has commissioned the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) Ilorin to present a national seminar on how to halt frequent clashes between Fulani cattle rustlers and farmers.

The programme according to the Head Public Relations Officer of the ARMTI, Mr Mayowa Gidado would assist the government in extracting the fullest benefits from the practitioners of the two ancient professions when they are at peace with each others.

The National Seminar, fixed for Thursday November 24 this year will come up in Abuja under the Chairmanship of the Minister.

Besides, it is meant to identify the benefits and challenges of using cassava leaves as livestock feed in Nigeria; proffer practical solutions to identified challenges and design strategies for developing the cassava leaf value chain.

Already, policy makers, practitioners, academics and other stakeholders have been assembled to brainstorm on and address the relevant issues in the economic perspective of the sector.

In 2012, ARMTI was commissioned by the Federal Government to conduct the first baseline study on agricultural commodity Value Chain Development (VCD). The institute promptly proceeded on sensitization workshops in each geo-political zones of Nigeria to carry out the mandate.

As a follow up to the programme, ARMTI, having identified the commodities where each zone had comparative advantage, has continued to train farmers, facilitators, administrators and other members of the value chain on how to maximize the VCD concept.