FG Unveils Initiative to Drive Agric Extension Services in Nigeria

Gilbert Ekugbe

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has unveiled the Harmonised Extension Manual and National Extension Policy that would provide pragmatic, effective, efficient demand driven and market oriented extension services to all stakeholders in agricultural sector.

The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, stated that the move would eradicate poverty, foster Nigeria’s attainment of food and nutrition security, economic growth, inclusivity, as well as diversification of the economy from over reliance on hydrocarbon resources.

Speaking at the opening of the 6th Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW), with the theme, “Harnessing Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services in scaling regenerative Agriculture and Nature-based Solutions for Food System Transformation in Africa,” Tinubu pointed out that agricultural extension would play a critical role in bringing about relevant and improved technologies developed by National Agricultural Research Institutions (NARIs), inputs suppliers and marketers to farmers, as well as to strengthen agricultural extension delivery services in Nigeria.

The president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, noted that the ministry has put together the first ever Harmonized Extension Manual in Nigeria and National Agricultural Extension Policy to effectively disseminate and deploy agricultural innovations/ technologies to end-users using appropriate extension methods.

He noted that the national extension policy would provide a pragmatic, effective and efficient demand driven pluralistic, ICT-enabled and market oriented extension services to promote sustainable agriculture and socio- economic development in Nigeria.

He pointed out that agriculture must be market oriented by moving away from the subsistence farming being practiced by smallholder farmers.

He explained that  government has also came up with programmes such as National Agricultural Growth Scheme- Agro-pocket where millions of farmers were supported through training on good Agricultural practices, certified inputs such as improved seeds and organic and inorganic fertilizers and irrigation equipment at highly subsidized rates to enhance production, increase productivity and ultimately higher incomes to farmers.

He reiterated the ministry’s efforts to develop the agricultural sector towards the attainment of the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially those of zero hunger and improve agriculture and rural productivity.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s current plan was to achieve self-sufficiency in food production and reduce dependency on food imports.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, who was represented by Director Extension Services, Mr. Micheal Brooks, stated that the 5th Summit was held in November 2021 in Kampala, Uganda, noting that the Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week was globally to deliberate on strategic issues in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) in Africa.

He pointed out that the purpose was to facilitate processes for improving the use of knowledge, technologies and innovations by agricultural value chain actors to achieve their individual and national development goals.

In his goodwill remarks, the Chairman, African Forum Agricultural Advisory Services, AFAAS Dr. Paul Fatch, highlighted the importance of farmers and state the need to recognize farmers.

Similarly, the President of Sasakawa Africa Association (SSA), Mr. Makoto Kitanaka, called for greater attention to extension and advisory services as a sustainable pathway to agricultural transformation on the continent.

Kitanaka described the theme of the extension week, “Harnessing Agricultural Extension & Advisory Services in Scaling Regenerative Agriculture and Nature Based Solutions for Food System Transformation in Africa” as not only timely but also imperative.