From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has commenced the nationwide training of 1,884 agricultural extension agents and food security specialists under its Grassroots Digital Extension Corps (GDEC) programme to strengthen agricultural productivity and enhance food security across Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by the management of the Fund, the training in Lafia is the first in a series that will be replicated across the country’s five other geopolitical zones.
Participants will undergo intensive training in digital extension services, climate-smart agriculture, data collection, farmer advisory services, and modern communication techniques before receiving professional certification at the end of the programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, the Head of Policy and Advocacy, Mrs. Yejide Olarinde, said strengthening the capacity of extension workers is vital to improving agricultural productivity.
She described agricultural extension as the critical link between research institutions, government interventions and farming communities.
“Agricultural extension remains the critical link between research institutions, government interventions and farming communities. Strengthening the capacity of extension personnel is essential to improving technology adoption, increasing productivity and achieving sustainable food security,” she said.
Olarinde disclosed that the nationwide exercise would train 1,110 Extension Agents and 774 Food Security Specialists, creating a pool of professionals equipped to support farmers and strengthen food security planning across the country.
She added that each participant who successfully completes the programme would receive a digital tablet preloaded with the approved training curriculum and extension materials to facilitate effective service delivery.
“These digital tools will ensure that extension personnel have easy access to training materials and can effectively deliver knowledge and advisory services to farmers wherever they are deployed,” she said.
Also speaking, a representative of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension (FDAE), Mrs. Amao Oluwakemi, described the programme as timely, noting that a stronger extension system is essential for ensuring that improved agricultural technologies reach farmers at the grassroots.
The training is being facilitated by agricultural extension experts who are leading participants through practical and classroom-based modules on digital extension, climate-smart farming, agricultural innovation, communication, data management and field advisory techniques.
The Lafia training is expected to conclude on Thursday before the programme moves to other centres across the six geopolitical zones as NADF continues the nationwide rollout of the Grassroots Digital Extension Corps initiative.
