The Taraba State Government has sponsored 30 youths to India for advanced training in seed production and processing technologies as part of efforts to reposition the state as a major agricultural hub in Nigeria.
The initiative, introduced under the administration of Agbu Kefas, is aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity, promoting agro-industrial development and building local capacity in modern farming technologies.
The 20-day training programme is taking place in Hyderabad, India, through a partnership involving the Taraba State Government, Prasad Seeds of India and AgTech Innovation of the United States under the platform of Taraba Seeds Limited.
Taraba Seeds Limited is currently investing more than $20 million in the construction of a seed processing facility in Lau Local Government Area of the state.
Leading the delegation is the Permanent Secretary of the Taraba State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Sarah S. D. Ali.
According to the state government, participants will undergo intensive classroom sessions, field exposure and industrial factory training focusing on seed science, quality control, packaging, storage and emerging agricultural technologies.
The training will be facilitated by leading agricultural institutions and global seed companies based in Hyderabad, regarded as one of Asia’s major centres for agricultural innovation.
Speaking on the initiative, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Taraba Seeds Limited, Dileepkumar Guntuku, described the programme as a strategic investment capable of transforming Taraba’s agricultural economy through human capital development and modern seed technology.
He noted that the programme would equip participants with the technical expertise needed to support the development of a modern seed industry in the state.
The government said Taraba Seeds Limited would focus on the multiplication, processing and distribution of improved seed varieties, including rice, maize, sorghum and cowpea suited to Nigeria’s agro-ecological conditions.
Upon completion of the programme, the trainees are expected to return to Taraba State to support the operations of the emerging seed processing industry and contribute to long-term agricultural growth.
The state government said the initiative reflected its commitment to youth empowerment, economic development and agricultural transformation across the state.
