Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono has commissioned the yam storage facility at the Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
Speaking during the ceremony, the minister noted that the huge output of using clean seed yam would boost production, increase earnings of farmers and enhance the export from the state.
He said the facility had capacity to store between 45 – 50 Metric Tonnes of yam seed and estimated to cover 16 hectares of land when planted.
Alhaji Sabo Nanono noted that the location of the facility inside the university would immensely add value to teaching, research and income generation.
Also speaking, Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed, commended the minister and his team for commissioning the facility.
Professor Suleiman Mohammed pointed out that the sum of N35 million was released by the state government to establish an aeroponics system for seed production – a component of yam value chain.
He explained that the facility would be harnessed to support federal government’s efforts towards improving agricultural productivity, promote research and enhance economic diversification agenda.