Osaigbovoan Iguobaro
30 extension agents in Edo State have been trained by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), ahead of farming season.
The four days training programme which started on Monday, March 8, was aimed at exposing and equipping the agents with best global agricultural practices.
Speaking at the closing Ceremony of the programme in Benin, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, said the training would build the capacity of youth and existing practitioners in agricultural Extension delivery system.
Nanono who was represented by the State Director of Agriculture, Wellington
said the training became necessary in other to expose and equip the agents with best global agricultural practices .
Represented by the State Director of Agriculture, Mr. Wellington Omoragbon, Nanono at the training that ended on Thursday.
“This training is the first in series of batches that will empower you with knowledge that will enhance service delivery to farmers both in terms of production practices and equipment for technical support.
“Over the year, the fortunes of the agricultural extension system has declined majorly due to decreased funding, policy changes, reduced manpower and lack of interest in agricultural entrepreneurship.
“This situation has affected food production exposing the country to danger of unemployment, youth restiveness and economic instability.
“So this training is one of several strategies planned by the ministry to halt the drift in the agricultural extension system with the aim of pursuing the revitalisation agenda of the economic by the Federal Government,” he said.
“To ensure we have adequate food for our population and some to argument foreign earnings,” Nanono added.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ernest Umakhihe who was also represented by the Deputy director, extension service, Mr Adekule Okunlaya, urged the participants to take advantage of training to improve the agricultural sector.
Umakhihe noted that the training was being held in all the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The drive by the present administration to revitalise agricultural extension services is to help farmers and value chain actors improve the livelihoods of rural populations,” according to him.
The Programme Manager of Edo Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Mr Peter Aikhuomobhogbe, said, “even though this training is going on in the 36 States of the federation including the FCT, Edo is unique because we have been given inputs to support the training,” he said.
According to Aikhuomobhogbe, the Edo ADP work plan for 2021 is to boost food production by 30 percent. And we would need your services to achieve the target.
