The Israeli embassy in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Maizube Abu-Turab International Training Centre (MAITC), has begun an international training programme on water management to enhance farm produce in Nigeria.

The two-pronged training programme, which centres on water and fertilisation application by pressurised irrigation, water harvesting and small reservoirs, began last Monday at Maizube farms, Minna, Niger State.

In an opening address, the new Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Moshe Ram, stated that Israeli is willing to transfer its expertise on water management and fertiliser application to Nigerians to alleviate water scarcity in farming enterprises.

According to him, "With the importance that we attach to this centre, we are appealing to our colleagues from the developed and developing countries to join hands in MAITC so that we can turn this training facility to a world renowned centre that will serve the African continent and by doing so, alleviate poverty and promote the quality of life by providing people here with the extremely important components of livelihood."

He further said that the training programmes have proven to be highly effective in supplying farms all over Nigeria and beyond with practical knowledge in agriculture.

The training programme will also feature agronomists, veterinarians, researchers, extension officers, and farmers all over Nigeria and from neighbouring countries. The participants would be taught modern methods of production, processing and management, including advanced Israeli technology in the aforementioned areas.

The permanent secretary of the state ministry of agriculture, Isa Kolo, who represented the governor of Niger State, stated that the new administration of the state will continue to support the training centre in its activities. He also disclosed that the government will continue to abide by the agreement reached with the training programmes in the centre.