ENUGU- The Federal Government-assisted International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has trained over 200 farmers, processors and market women in Enugu State on the use of standard weight and measures for rice and cassava products.
At a workshop held recently in Orie-Orba Cassava Market, Udenu Local Government Area, the IFAD-VCDP State Programme Coordinator (SPC), Dr Edward Isiwu, advised the participants to apply adequate weight and measure systems to ensure effective service delivery.
Represented by the state Acting Business and Market Development Officer, IFAD-VCDP, Mr. Arinze Omeje, Isiwu noted that the training initiated by Enugu VCDP was part of its efforts to ensure that stakeholders were abreast with the international best practices in standard weight and measures.
The VCDP coordinator, who demonstrated the use of weighing scale, advised participants to adhere strictly to the reading standard to avoid miscalculations and sharp practices that were inimical to the system.
In a presentation, the Chief Inspector,
Department of Weight and Measures, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Abba Ogwu, represented by the Senior Inspector in the department, Mr. Eugene Ebhodaghe, who enlightened the participants on the benefits of standard weight and measures, urged them to apply the knowledge in selling their products to get value for their investments.
Briefing newsmen, the Chairman, Orie-Orba Modern Market, Chief Charles Ezeugwu, commended IFAD-VCDP for the initiative and implored the marketers to ensure proper application of the knowledge acquired in their businesses.
Some of the participants, Mrs. Dorathy Ugwu, Ijeoma Chikani, both of cassava farmers and the Liaison officer, IFAD-VCDP, Udenu LGA, Mr. Charles Ogbonna, said the workshop would help them to take stock of their investment and the benefits derived in the business, and commended IFAD-VCDP State Programme Coordinator for bringing the training to them.
The same training had been held in other four local government areas where VCDP is currently intervening, which included: Aninri, Isiuzo, Nkanu East and Enugu East.
The focus of the training was to ensure uniformity of trade, check trade cheat and ensure standards.
