News in brief: Nigeria has launched a comprehensive agricultural extension policy to bridge the gap between research and practice, and to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.
In a pivotal step to bolster food security, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the introduction of a comprehensive agricultural extension policy.
According to a local news source, the policy targets bridging the gap between research and practice by effectively disseminating innovations and technologies to farmers.
During the launch ceremony at the Sixth Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week, the president emphasised the significance of the policy for various stakeholders involved in the agricultural value chain. He said that extension administrators, subject-matter specialists, extension agents, and farmers will all benefit from it.
Implementing the policy could significantly enhance agricultural practices, leading to improved productivity and food security for the nation.
In addition, acknowledging the challenges posed by the petrol price hike in Nigeria following subsidy removal, Tinubu mentioned that the government’s will be supporting farmers with the introduction of solar-powered irrigation pumps. He said that pumps will be released to groups of farmers, enabling them to harness renewable energy for their irrigation needs.
Underscoring the crucial role of agricultural extension in bridging the gap between research and practice, President Tinubu highlighted the development of Nigeria’s first-ever Harmonized Extension Manual and National Agricultural Extension Policy.
Alongside the policy, the harmonized agricultural extension manual has also been launched! These two documents will guide seamless implementation of agricultural extension in Nigeria.
By Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security.#AAEW2023 pic.twitter.com/INRbfOFrrz— Elizabeth Asiimwe (@ElizabethAsiimw) November 6, 2023
The Harmonized Extension Manual provides a comprehensive guide to effectively disseminating and deploying agricultural innovations and technologies to farmers. It is designed to empower extension administrators, subject matter specialists, extension agents, and farmers across the agricultural value chain.
The National Agricultural Extension Policy, on the other hand, outlines a pragmatic, demand-driven, ICT-enabled, and market-oriented extension service strategy. This policy aims to engage all stakeholders, including youths, women, and individuals with special needs, to optimize resource utilization, promote sustainable agriculture, and foster socio-economic development across the nation.
