The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) began the training of 50 women in spices and seasoning production in Bayelsa State on Wednesday.
According to NDE Coordinator in the state, Mr Aham Osuchukwu, the trainees would be taught how to produce 14 different spices and seasonings during the one-week programme.
He said they would be taught how to produce spices for pepper soup and banga soup.
They would also be taught how to produce cumin powder, turmeric and ginger powder, African nutmeg, clove flakes, curry powder, cinnamon, coriander, “jollof’’ and fried rice spices and spices for stew.
Osuchukwu noted that spices and seasoning production was an emerging area of interest which had been neglected in the past, but had huge potential to generate mass employment with low capital investment.
“Considering Nigeria’s population and its large markets, there is effective demand for spices and seasonings in the country.
“Beneficiaries will also be trained on how to interface and link up with funding institutions that will be talking to them on ways of assessing funds for various businesses,’’ he said.
Osuchukwu said the NDE hoped that the trainees would commercialise spices and seasonings production so as to earn income, become employers of labour and reduce unemployment.