By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka in collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday, 21st May, 2025 concluded a three-week Certificate course on African Palm Weevil and Golden Apple Water Snail Farming for her participants.
The three-week certificate course which kick-started on Tuesday, 6th May, 2025 climaxed with award of certificates to trainees in a colourful event held at the Commissioner’s Conference Hall.
Speaking during the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, UNIZIK, Prof. Cordelia Ebenebe harped on the importance of African Palm Weevil farming in enhancing animal protein needs for the people, ensuring food security and improving the economy of the state at large. Prof. Ebenebe further disclosed that Golden Apple Water Snail Farming also has a huge economic potential for agribusiness stakeholders and also a veritable source for wealth creation to the society not limited to agricultural practitioners.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture thanked the Ministry under the watch of Dr. Foster Ihejiofor for buying into the novel idea which metamorphosed into holding a three-week Certification Course for participants who are now empowered to enhance that part of agriculture by becoming entrepreneurs and generating revenue for the state at large.
The scholar thanked the Indian based farmer, Barr. Madala Chandra Sekhar for imparting his wealth of experience and knowledge into the trainees. She admonished the trainees to make the best of the opportunity from the knowledge they have gained from the three-week hands-on training and practicals.
Prof. Ebenebe said: “It was a delight to hold this training programme geared towards empowering our people on palm weevil and water snail farming. This training was important as presently, we do not have enough animal protein and the cost of livestock has risen to an alarming rate.
Today, we have a solution by venturing into micro livestock such as palm weevil and water snail farming which has all the protein and amino acid that you find in other livestock. The aim is to bring down animal protein deficiency in the country that is responsible for malnutrition as Nigeria is among the countries that have stunted children because of malnutrition owing to lack of animal protein. This process is affordable and sustainable,” Prof. Ebenebe stated.
On his part, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ihejiofor affirmed that the three-week programme has indeed opened a new vista in agriculture via unlocking the potentials and opportunities inherent in sustainable palm weevil and water snail farming through training of the people for viable practices in the state.
Dr. Ihejiofor noted that the training has aided the capacity building of the participants who are now knowledgeable on ways of improving their farming activities as well as enhancing the human animal protein needs. The Agric Commissioner while eulogizing the trainer, Barr. Sekhar for his ingenuity in palm weevil and water snail farming also commended Prof. Ebenebe for her innovations and positive drive in boosting the agricultural sector in the state and beyond.
The Resource Person and Trainer, Barr. Madala Chandra Sekhar described the participants as individuals who are passionate about African Palm Weevil and Golden Apple Water Snail Farming development in their locality and the state. Barr. Sekhar disclosed that the three-week program was an opportunity to train and impart knowledge on the participants with a view to improving their farming activities and boosting human animal protein needs.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, admonished the trainees to ensure they put into useful practices all they were taught during the three-week course. Mrs Uzoka informed that Palm Weevil and Water Snail Farming is now a global trend of using insects and some animals for medical purposes, source of food, beer production and other edibles.
Responding, one of the participants and Founder Rod of Moses Women Foundation, Barr. Ujunwa Rita Ezeani underscored the importance of the training in enhancing the capacity of agriculturists in the state and individuals who are interested in farming. Barr Ezeani stated that with the knowledge gained during three-week programme, she is better equipped now to explore the opportunities in palm weevil and snail farming for wealth creation.
The event culminated into presentation of certificate of participation to about 100 trainees who featured in the three-week training programme.
