Ministry Trains 75,000 Agric Extension Workers

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has trained over 75,000 Agriculture extension workers in the 36 States of the federation including Federal Capital Territory.
In Rivers State, the training witnessed huge attendance at the headquarters of Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) in the State, as participants expressed joy over the knowledge acquired.
In his opening address, the Director Federal Department of Agricultural Extension, Engr. Frank Satumari Kudla, said the training was designed to empower participants with skills in the use of extension delivery methodologies and tools, as well as the best global practices in the agricultural value chains, as chosen by each State.
According to him, the training was also to provides necessary logistics and reference manuals in tune with emerging technologies, innovations and practices in the sub-sector.
“ This training of the Agricultural Extension Agents, among other interventions for the ADPs, will serve as a floodgate for many opportunities such as providing them with tools that will help them to give, not only agronomic, but also more practical services to farmers that will engender efficiency and more income.
“Therefore, it is expected that beneficiaries will map farmers to themselves with the help of the ADP, conduct step-down training and prepare for future capacity building, input services and technology support to their farmers,”Engr. Kudla said.
The director explained that the programme is one of the first among several recommendations of a special Technical Committee established by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to assist the Ministry, among other responsibilities to develop a workable frame work and actionable programme for the immediate training of 75,000 extension workers in collaboration with State ADPs.
He further urged all the participants to make use of the knowledge that will be acquired after the training and use the opportunity to thank the Committee on Revitalization, the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, the Sasakawa Africa Association/SG2000, the State ADPs, Members of staff of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension for their contribution towards the success of the programme.

By: Tonye Orabere