No less than 40 agents are beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s extension training on the application of extension tools and methodologies in selected agricultural value chains in Edo state.
This is according to statement by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mahmood Abubakar, while noting that extension delivery was critical to all agricultural policies and research.
Representing the minister, Wellington Omoragbon said the training was one of the several strategies that is planned by the ministry to halt the drift in the extension delivery system in the country as Nigerians have the desire to see the extension service delivery system improved and at global competitiveness to ensure adequate food supply.
What they are saying
He said, “One of the key recommendations of a special committee set up at the inception of this administration was to build the capacity of youths and existing practitioners in extension service delivery.
“Exposing and equipping them with the best global practices and tools to enable them to deliver efficiently. This training is the first in a series of batches that will empower you with the knowledge that will enhance service delivery to farmers.”
Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, FMARD who had noted that the training was being held across the state said the capacity building was designed to bridge the gap between farmers, research and innovations.
He said, “The only way to guarantee food security is to reposition the Agricultural Development Project (ADP) system through training, provision of equipment’s and funding to carry out their primary mandate and responsibilities to farmers.”
What you should know
The Agricultural extension training is an attempt by the federal government to build the declining fortunes of the agricultural extension system which is traceable to decreased funding, policy changes, reduced man-power and lack of interest of young people in agricultural entrepreneurship and consequently affecting food production and exposing the country to the dangers of unemployment, youth restiveness and economic instability.
The training done across all the 36 states of the federation, targets 75,000 extension workers who will be taught new farming skills and techniques.