The Directorate of Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC) in collaboration with the Community Based-Farming Scheme (COBFAS) and The Cassava Weed Management Project (CWMP), have trained the current Farm Practical Year (FPY) Students on Cassava Weed Management.
According to Director, AMREC, Professor Dorcas Adegbite, the training became expedient, in order to meet and train all the students on Cassava Weed Management before they leave for their various COBFAS locations.
Professor Adegbite noted that the training will further strengthen the knowledge of the students on Cassava Cultivation and field practices.
The Director, AMREC described Cassava as major staple of millions of people on the continent of Africa and the most resilient crop to abiotic stresses.
She said that weed control in the humid tropics has been a challenge while weed control in Cassava production is much more demanding compared to most other crops thus making weed a major constraint to improving Cassava productivity.
She revealed that Chemical Control is the current practice of weed control in Nigeria which according to her, when properly implemented, appears to be an excellent alternative to manual weeding because it is less expensive, faster and gives better weed control.
Professor Adegbite informed the students that the training is poised to expose them to the theory and practice of weed control methods; especially chemical control at pre and post emergence stages of crops’ growth.
She charged them to pay attention and learn how to calibrate sprayers, different types of herbicides, purpose and time to apply them and the safe use and handling of the chemicals at their various farm locations.
The students were taken through a Lecture on “Herbicides: Safe Use and Application” by Dr. Patience Olorunmaiye, of the Department of Plant Physiology and Crop Protection, in the College of Plant Science (COLPLANT) while practical demonstration was carried out for the students’ groups on the field.