By Tochi
The TETFund Centre of Excellence on Biomedical, Engineering and Agricultural Translational Studies (TCE-BEATS) today concluded the second day of its two-day Agropreneurial Training and Cooking Contest at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with a focus on practical skills in agribusiness and culinary arts.
The day began with an insightful seminar on agribusiness, led by Mr. Obi Ezeano, a seasoned agro-entrepreneur and Principal Consultant at API Consulting, Awka. He provided participants with an overview of crop production and livestock management, while also introducing the concept of the Business Model Canvas. He demonstrated key best practices in developing a sustainable agricultural enterprise.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Cordelia Ebenebe, also addressed the participants, stressing the importance of skill acquisition for young people in today’s challenging economy. She conducted a brief practical session on mushroom cultivation, demonstrating hyphal growth, mycelium formation, and spore germination. She explained that the visible mushroom is just the fruiting body of a much larger underground organism the mycelium which plays a critical role in nutrient recycling and soil health. She further highlighted the nutritional and medicinal benefits of mushrooms in modern diets.
The highlight of the day was the cooking contest, sponsored by Mrs. Josephine Okoye, Director of Climax Vocational Institute, Awka. Five contestants competed in preparing the signature dish, Sunshine Rice, using traditional methods within a three-hour time frame. The competition showcased creativity, culinary skill, and presentation, and all participants were awarded prizes for their performance.
The event concluded with encouragement from organizers for all trainees to pursue agribusiness opportunities and apply their new skills to real-world ventures that promote self-reliance and economic growth.