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The National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), has warned banana sellers to desist from using carbide to ripen bananas because of its health implications.
Dr Akinfisoye stated that the institute had warned those in the practice of using carbide to desist because of the health implications on consumers.
“There are simple ways banana rips easily. Allow the banana to be mature from the tree and then, tie it in an enclosure that prevents air entry and within a short time, it will ripe naturally”, he said.
Addressing the 50 participants at the training, Director, NIHORT, Dr Mohammed Lawal, noted that plantain and banana and telfairia value chain development is valuable for nutritional and social economic security for millions of Nigerians.
“Plantain and banana are important staple food crops and sources of income, especially for small-scale farmers. It can also serve as industrial raw materials for beverage industries making baby food.
Lawal noted that to maximize the potential of the commodities, capacity building and training is essential to scale up the cultivation.
He also explained that over 4,000 people across the country have been trained and empowered with innovations in the cultivation of commodities.
The trainees at the workshop commended Senator Abdullahi Adamu for bringing the training to them.
One of the participants, Chindo Ibrahim, said he has leant how to plant and maintain bananas.
“The training is an eye opener to us and I will certainly put into practice all I have leant to improve my economic welfare, says Mrs Rabiu Mohammed, a participant.