Maize or corn is a cereal crop that is grown widely throughout the world in a range of agroecological environments. More maize is produced annually than any other grain. About 50 species exist and consist of different colors, textures and grain shapes and sizes. White, yellow and red are the most common types. The white and yellow varieties are preferred by most people depending on the region.
Maize was introduced into Africa in the 1500s and has since become one of Africa’s dominant food crops. Like many other regions, it is consumed as a vegetable although it is a grain crop. The grains are rich in vitamins A, C and E, carbohydrates, and essential minerals, and contain 9% protein. They are also rich in dietary fiber and calories which are a good source of energy.
Importance
Maize is the most important cereal crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and an important staple food for more than 1.2 billion people in SSA and Latin America. All parts of the crop can be used for food and non-food products. In industrialized countries, maize is largely used as livestock feed and as a raw material for industrial products. Maize accounts for 30−50% of low-income household expenditures in Eastern and Southern Africa. A heavy reliance on maize in the diet, however, can lead to malnutrition and vitamin deficiency diseases such as night blindness and kwashiorkor.
The breeding, rearing, and transplantation of fish by artificial means is called pisciculture, in other words, fish farming. It is the principal form of aquaculture, while other methods may fall under mariculture. It involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food.
The Young Ladies involve in IITA Youth Agripreneurs ,have decided to put together resources to embark on commercial fish farming especially to create jobs.
We hope to use this to create jobs and ultimately own a cold storage facility.
I strongly believe that When young ladies are Involved in Agriculture they can do well by creating job opportunities to other ladies and also make money for themselves. Above All they bring Joy and happiness even in Farm.
So Young Ladies don’t be afraid to join us in Agribusiness
Today, yam food processors, other private sector representatives, and yam farmers are participating in a stakeholders workshop organized by Sahel Capital, a partner of YIIFSWA, as part of the YIIFSWA Annual Progress Review and Planning Meeting currently being held in IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 17-22 February. You are invited to Yam Day at IITA on 22 February.
Processing of cassava fresh roots would help increase shelf life, reduce transportation problems, reduce cyanogens, improve palatability and increase the market value of the crop.
Three Youth from D.R.Congo are presently in IITA-Youth Agripreneurs Headquarters, where they are having a deep training in Agribusiness,focus on following crops: cassava, maize, plantain/banana, and soybean.
The IITA Youth Agripreneurs are a group of young graduates involved in agribusiness, with the aim of being a unit that would serve as a model to other young people planning to venture into agribusiness and becoming the trainer of trainers.
