Anambra Ministry, UNIZIK Unveil Training Programme on Palm Weevil, Water Snail Farming

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Government in collaboration with Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University has unveiled a three week certificate course to train people on African Palm Weevil and Water Snail Farming.

At the event with about 100 registered participants from across the state, a resource person from India, Barr Mandala Chandra Sekhar, an expert in using dead palm cellulose and other materials to grow palm weevils was on ground to pass on the knowledge.

The Commissioner affirmed that the programme is aimed at unlocking the opportunities in sustainable palm weevil and water snail farming through training of people for viable practices in the state.

According to him, the training has a focus to build the capacity of participants, improve the farming activities and boost human animal protein needs.

“Barr Madala is here to pass on the knowledge of how to produce the African Palm Weevil and Golden Apple Snail, both items are very rich in protein and various other nutrients that are good for human consumption and also for animal feed production.

“This is a farming opportunity that does not require so much of your effort or so much of investment to start up. You can start up very small and in a very short while you will be counting money in millions.

“After this training, people who attended will be given certificates so they can go and become trainers besides being practitioners. I expect that in a few months and years, many women and youths of Anambra extraction will become multi Millionaires growing this palm weevil and water snail as well”

According to him, it is estimated that using the palm soldier larva and water snail as a replacement for fish protein will drop animal feed cost from between 40 and 65 percent.

Contributing, the Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Cordelia Ebenebe, underscored the relevance of African Palm Weevil farming in enhancing animal protein needs of the people, food security and economy of the state.

“It is very obvious that we don’t have enough animal protein and the cost of livestock has skyrocketed, but we have this micro livestock especially the one we are studying today that has all the protein and amino acid that you find in the other livestock.

“We want to bring down animal protein deficiency in the country that is responsible for malnutrition. Nigeria is among the countries that have stunted children because of malnutrition especially animal protein.

” We are looking at something that is affordable to all families they can produce at the backyards and then they will have enough animal protein for their children”

According to the Dean, African Palm Weevil and Golden Apple Snail Farming have huge economic potential as a business and a wealth creation avenue for many.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, in a goodwill message urged individuals to embrace the concept of lesser known sources of protein and move with the global trend.

She observed that globally insects are being used for medical purposes, food, production of other edibles such as snacks, chocolate, noodles, ice cream, bakeries as well as beer production.

Uzoka, urged the participants to seize the opportunity to acquire new knowledge that could change their lives.

The Resource Person/ Trainer, Barr Madala Chandra Sekhar, said he was delighted to visit Nigeria to train individuals who are passionate about African Palm Weevil and Golden Apple Snail Farming development in the state.

He assured of his commitment to impart the desired knowledge to upscale participation in the farming practices for good nutrition, job and wealth creation.