Niger State Gov, Former Minister Youth, Sports&Devt, Others Grace The First Zuma FM Agric Fest

The Zuma FM Agricultural harvest festival successfully concluded after two days of activities that was geared towards providing a platform for the rural farmer in around Suleja, Niger, FCT, Kaduna, Nassarawa and Kogi states.

Present at the event were the representative of the governor, the permanent secretary for agriculture, a representative of the Emir of Suleja – who handed over the goodwill message from the Emirate to the Festival Director Mr  Kere-Ahmed, and declared the ceremony open. Also present were former minister for youth and sports development Engr Sani Ndanusa, various speakers including the coordinator Agro Exchange Mathias Okorie, Founder of the Yan Seno foundation Jamila Ibrahim Bio, Umar Adulkadir Kure Director Abu Tarub farms, and Dr Shola Dele-Olowu, managing Director of Direct Consult & Logistics Nigeria and Mr Isah Abdulsalam, Director Maizube Farms

The event was graced by rural farmers across the region who came en masse grouped as members of agricultural cooperative societies and individual business owners. The farmers listened to lectures from the speakers on topics covering agricultural business financing, use of technology for communication across regions, primary health and safety standards for farm workers, agricultural drone administrations, storage and business administration. One of the sponsors, the NIIT Minna provided a computer room where the rural farmers were enlightened on basic use of social media such as facebook and Instagram for direct communication and wider market reach – farmers received lectures in batches of 10 on each day of the event, this was done to allow for easy comprehension, one on one explanatory sessions and access to computer device for practical sessions.

Delivering his vote of thanks, the festival coordinator Mr Kere-Ahmed assured the farmers of the continuity of the Agricultural festival, adding that the radio house is playing a vital role to connect them to the wider audience and pave the way to closing the technology divide. He encouraged the sponsors to continue to offer their support to the festival and enlightened the audience about the plans to build a sustainable relationship between the rural farmers and the information market.

The events closed each day with sales of exhibited farm produce and technical training sessions for the farmers in attendance.