Group To Partner Ministry On Extension Programmes

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is set to partner an NGO, Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), on extension programmes, the Minister, Mr Akinwumi Adesina, said.

Adesina made the statement in Abuja on Monday when Prof. Ruth Oniang’o, Chairperson, Board of the association, led a delegation to his office.

Our correspondent reports that SAA administers and manages Sasakawa Global 2000, a programme aimed at ensuring food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sasakawa Global 2000 educates small-scale farmers on modern farming methods, including the use of quality seeds and small amount of fertiliser to increase agricultural yield.

It also creates awareness on the use of agro-processing in order to increase economic viability methods and to improve the links between Africa’s farms and urban areas.

According to Adesina, the partnership will help the country in the demonstration of its extension programmes.

He expressed optimism that the partnership would also help create jobs for the unemployed youths.

The minister explained that the Federal Government had set aside N37 billion to create jobs for the youth through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).