Synergos Nigeria Limited, an international non-governmental organisation Synergos has concluded plans to train agriculture extension workers in Kogi, Benue and Kaduna states on modern application of farm inputs.
Victor Adejoh, field manager of Synergos, disclosed this to journalists at a bi-monthly meeting of the Agricultural Vision Group (AVG) and Agriculture Innovative Group (AIG) in Lokoja recently.
Adejoh said that the meeting was aimed at bringing key stakeholders in the sector, together to look for opportunities and gaps in the implementation of agricultural policies and collectively proffer solutions.
He explained that the training of agricultural extension service providers is slated for May to allow stakeholders sufficient time to identify key gaps in the value chains of some mandated crops of the three states.
“The stakeholders have said very clearly that they have not been able to get adequate information and support from extension services and we have also found out that over the years, many of the extension service providers have not been trained.
“So, we are looking at holding a national training for extension workers in the three states with specific attention to fertiliser application and issues around seeds.
”We are also looking at training extension service providers working on crops that have nutritional value like vegetables”, he added.
The field manager said that about 10 extension workers across the various value chains of key crops would be trained.
According to him, focus crops in Kogi state include cassava, rice, cashew and Sesame (beniseed).
Also speaking to journalists, Philip Etim, development manager, Synergos Consult, said development of agriculture in the country was critical because Nigeria population is expected to increase to about 250 million by 2025.
Etim revealed that the organisation was supporting Kogi, Benue and Kaduna states to develop agriculture policy directions.
Emmanuel Ochai, consultant and external evaluator of the SPA said the programme was aimed at effecting transformation from subsistent farming to commercial agriculture as part of efforts to enhance the income and welfare of farmers.
Victoria Nnakaike, Lokoja
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