By Our Correspondent in Minna
The Federal government has been called upon to, as a matter of urgency, fast-track the implementation of the national policy on agricultural extension to harmonize the critical elements required to drive sustainable and market-oriented agricultural development in Nigeria.
Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahaya made the call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono, in an interview with our correspondent in Minna on the sidelines of a public event
Kuta, a lecturer with the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, spoke shortly after the 25th edition of the Annual (visual) Conference of Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria (AESON) in Minna.
He said doing so would enable Nigerian economy to be properly managed, with immense benefit to the agricultural sector and
strengthening agricultural value chain, a critical element to the achievement of sustainable agricultural development at local and global level.
The don argued that the move would also add more value to the efforts of farmers, processors, marketers, exporters who deserve special attention, if Nigeria must to attain sustainable agricultural development.
Earlier in his paper entitled: “Enhancing the Role of Public and Private Extension in Soil Conservation and Agricultural Productivity”, Kuta also called on the government to stimulate technology adoption and embed Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) in the implementation of its policy on the sector.
This he said was necessary to ensure improved food security requirements as well as industrial expectations, in
response to the changing nature of agriculture and farmers’ needs, occasioned by climate change.
He urged that the focus of agriculture extension should also be to transferring skills, technologies and knowledge related to the production of crops, livestock and forestry products,from research outcomes.
The agriculture extension exppert expressed optimism that the much needed food security would be guaranteed in the country with effective policy implementation of the nation’s agricultural policy.
He, however, noted with delight, the high rating of the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof.Ibrahim Gambari for his proactive engagements in stimulating food security and diversification agenda of the President Buhari-led government.
Kuta suggested that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development could work hand in hand with members of the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria (AESON) and Nigeria Forum for Agriculture and Advisory Services (NIFAAS) for achieve the desired outcome.
He argued that the synergy would ensure the development of a workable template and actionable programme for the training of the presidential mandate for 75,000 extension workers, in collaboration with the 36 States’ Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
He said, “The consensus amongst practitioners is that, training modules for extension workers should be reviewed.
“The belief is that, the review will make agriculture extension in tune with globally acceptable standards, where extension experts lead in the application of scientific research and knowledge to agricultural practices.
“This will be achieved through farmer education fora sustainable and market-oriented agricultural development,”he said.
While lamenting the challenges being faced by small holder farmers, Kuta said there was the urgent need to intensify agricultural extension efforts by assisting them with valuable information on how to be climate-smart.
Being climate-smart according to Kuta includes; developing closer linkages between agricultural research and extension providers, taking into account existing local knowledge.
He said such would also involve having a clear understanding of farmers’ needs and problems as well as obtaining feedback on how technological interventions were being performed.
The don also called for a national sensitization programme with special focus on agricultural sector to entrench soil management culture,”considering the fact that, land is the pre-eminent factor of agricultural production.”
