FUNAAB project

1. IITA is a member of the CGIAR System Organization | www.iita.org | www.cgiar.org
DISSEMINATION OF IMPROVED WEED
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN CASSAVA
TO FARMERS IN BENUE STATE
By
OKWUSI M.C, OLOJEDE A.O, ODOR P.C
(NRCRI)

2. Outline
1. INTRODUCTION
2. COMMUNITY ENTRANCE
3. ON-FARM DEMOSTRATIONS
4. SUMMARY OF FARMERS REACHED
THROUGH FARMERS FIELD DAYS
(FFD) IN ABIA STATE 2018
5. MODULAR TRAINING ON BEST
AGRONOMIC PRACTICES AND
SAFE HERBICIDE USE.
6. LINKAGE WITH AGRO DEALERS
AND OTHER PARTNERS
7. EXPERIENCE/ TESTIMONIES FROM
FARMER 1
8. EXPERIENCE / TESTIMONIES
FROM FARMER 11
9. LESSONS LEARNT

3. INTRODUCTION
 Cassava Weed Management Project
(CWMP) has developed proven
technologies for the control of weeds in
cassava farms in the last few years. But
these technologies can only make the
desired impact if adopted by the farmers
 Hence, the following extension activities
were carried out in the final phase of the
project with a view to enhancing farmers’
adoption of the technologies.

4. COMMUNITY ENTRANCE
 The aim of community visits to
the traditional rulers (Ezes) and
leaders of different communities in
the four selected LGAs in Abia
state, was to intimate them about
the project objectives with a view
to solicit for their support and
commitments towards the success
of the project.

6. SUMMARY OF
FARMERS
REACHED
THROUGH
COMMUNITY
ENTRANCE
LGA CUMMUNIT
Y
MALE FEMALE TOTAL
IKWUANO 1
2
3
4
5
Ariam Usaka
Umugbalu
Ntalakwu
Umuokorie
Ekwelu
18
7
6
5
5
8
2
18
3
0
26
9
24
8
5
41 31 72
ISIUKWUATO 1
2
3
Ovim
Amaba
Ahaba
15
5
4
9
7
14
24
12
18
24 30 54
BENDE 1
2
Johnm
Eluama Lodu
50
21
16
41
66
62
71 57 128
AROCHUKWU 1
2
3
4
Ndiojiaku
Ozuabam
Obinto
Umuzougbo
33
30
11
16
6
17
6
31
39
47
17
47
90 60 150
TOTAL 226 178 404

7. NUMBER OF ON-FARM DEMONSTRATIONS ESTABLISHED IN ABIA STATE
2018
NAME OF PARTICIPATING
FARMERS
LGA GENDER DEMOS
MALE FEMALE
Mrs. Joy Njoku ISIUKWUATO 0 3 3
Mrs. Juliet Ogobiro
Mrs. Alozie Helen
Dr Mrs. Uja Eunice
Chinedu Abel
Peter Oba
Chief Dom Odimba
Emma Humphrey
IKWUANO 4 1 5
Chief Ago Eze
Mr, Okeke Chinyere
Hon, C. Ihekaibe
Mr, E. Akpalionu
Chief Obisike C.
BENDE 5 0 5
Obinna Otuka
Chief Agwu Sk
Agenla Egonu (Sr)
Rev. Moses Azumba
Sir,James Alicho
HRH. Eze LN Mba
AROCHUKWU 5 1 6

8. The general objective of FFDs was to
showcase the performance of CWMP
proven technologies to demonstrate
the best bet weed method with a view
of stimulating adoption by farmers and
also, provide opportunities for mid-
season evaluation of on-farm
demonstrations. Total of 634 were
reached (308 male and 326 females)
and 10 FFDs conducted in 2018 .
MID-SEASON
EVALUATION
/FFDs

10. SUMMARY OF
FARMERS
REACHED
THROUGH
FARMERS FIELD
DAYS (FFD) IN
ABIA STATE
2018
LGAS COMMUNITY PARTICIPANT TOTAL
MALE FEMALE
BENDE LOHUM 18 40 99
ELUAMA LODU 21 20
TOTAL 39 60
AROCHUKWU UMUZOMGBO 27 16 295
OBINTO 25 9
NDIOJIOKWU 58 44
OZU ABAM 24 92
TOTAL 134 161
ISUKWUATO UMUASIA 14 28 153
AHABA IMENYE 48 63
TOTAL 62 91
IKWUANO EKWELU 11 14 87
ARIAM 62 0
TOTAL 73 14
GRAND TOTAL 308 326 634

11. MODULAR TRAINING ON BEST AGRONOMIC PRACTICES AND SAFE
HERBICIDE USE.
The 4 modular trainings as programmed for the year on Land preparation and best
Agronomic practices, herbicides application and calibration; safe use of Herbicide,
and Record Keeping were conducted for participating Extension Agents in the state.
The training was stepped down to 4,453 farmers consisting of 2,078 males and
2,375 females in different communities across Abia state by Extension Agents within
the year. In addition, training on ABC of weed management in cassava production,
as Safe Use and Application of Herbicides was carried out for some N-Power staff in
the state. Also, specialized training on 6 Steps to Cassava Weed Managements was
conducted at Olokoro Community in Umuahia North LGA within the year with a total
of 380 females trained.

12. SOME OF THE MODULAR TRAINNING
SECTIONS

13. SERVICE SPRAY
PROVIDERS’
(SSP) TRAINING
Total number of 20
SSPs were trained in
each of the 4 Local
Government Areas
with a view of
selecting SSPs each
after thorough and
critical supervision.
However, 30 SSPs
have been
thoroughly trained in
3 LGAs. We hope to
do further training to
ascertain capable
hands.
LGA MALE FEMALE TOTAL FURTHER
TRAINED
Ikwuano 17 3 20 10
Bende 20 6 20 10
Isiukwuato 14 6 20 10
Arochukwu 18 2 20 Yet to be
selected

14. LINKAGE WITH AGRO DEALERS AND OTHER PARTNERS
20 Agro dealers (males) were trained with the booklet on the Safe Use
Application of Herbicides. Two Staff of Abia State Ministry of Health also
joined the training team.
Radio Jingle
Cassava Weed Management proven technologies were aired on Federal
Radio Corporation of Nigeria FRCN which is Pacesetter 103.5 FM
station. This is to enable us reach a wider audience for possible
adoption of CWMP proven technologies. The jingle covers six Steps to
Weed Management in Cassava Production, and Safe Use and
Application of Herbicides. Land preparation and best Agronomic
practices, the period for the jingle is 4month starting from late
November 2018 to early January 2019 at 3days interval. The radio
discussion programme will start early February of 2019 with FLO- FM
94.9 based in Umuahia.

15. Experience/ Testimonies from farmers:
Isiukwuato: Rev. Mrs. Victoria Nwankwoala, and Mrs. Njoku joy, pointed out that
‘’initially they were not happy with the poor growth of the cassava in their area but the
advent of this projects proved that cassava production is lucrative and stress free. Both
farmers went further to say that they have taken the gospel to other people in the
churches and villages to adopt the package (CWMP proven technologies).
Arochukwu: REV. Moses Ezumah from Umunye, Umuzomgbo said this is his second
time in the project (2017/2018). He said their farm is very fantastic and that farmers
comes to his house on daily basis to know the magic applied on their farms, even the
youths come to make enquiries on how they can join the project.
Arochukwu: Mr. ElezuaKalu from NdiojiAbam, stated that initially their community
accused them of selling out their land to the government. But now, their community
leaders have testified that the farm is used for teaching purposes only as the varieties
and growth patterns vary widely from what obtains in their village (meaning that the
419 cassava varieties is better than theirs in all ramifications). He went further to testify
that farmers in their village now use herbicides in their farms operations.

16. Ikwuano: Mr. Oba Peter one of the farmers narrated how people are coming
to identify with him because of the bumper yields of cassava cuttings and roots
realized from his CWMP farm of previous years. Also commended IITA Ibadan
for this wonderful technology to mankind.As an indication of acceptance and
good performance, some of the harvests especially maize and cassava stems
were stolen in the first year of the project in his farm, he exclaimed.
Bende: Mr. Ago Eze from Lohum express his gratitude for boosting cassava
production by introducing this package to their community. He reported that
farmers in their area now use herbicides for cassava production. But complain
that some of the herbicides in the market are not as effectives as those usedin
the demonstration farms.

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Acknowledgements
Abia Agricultural Development Programme
Principal investigator
Funded by
Implementing partners
Oyo State Agricultural Programme
Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme
Kolping Nigeria
Justice Peace Development Movement Oyo Diocese
Justice Peace Development Movement Abeokuta Diocese
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Nigeria
Benue Agricultural and Rural Development Authority