Business
Revitalising Agric Extension Services In Nigeria
On several occasions,
agriculturalists have stressed the importance of extension services to food production.
They insist that as Nigeria aspires to become one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020; pragmatic efforts ought to be made to boost farming via the adoption of agricultural extension services.
However, the Federal Government is somewhat conscious of the usefulness of agricultural extension services in plans to improve the country’s food production.
Prof. Tunji Arokoyo, National Team Leader, Agricultural Extension Transformation Agenda, said that efforts were underway by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to revive agricultural extension services.
“The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, is passionate about extension services and he is making frantic efforts to revive the dying extension services in Nigeria as a key to agricultural transformation,’’ he said.
He said that agricultural extension workers were the bridge between farmers and research institutes, adding that they also functioned as the link between farmers and the government.
“This is because they play a key role in disseminating information to and from both sides for enhanced agricultural production,’’ he said.
Arokoyo said that agricultural extension services involved the provision of educational services to farmers in the wide range of agricultural enterprise.
“So, agricultural extension services encompass all activities carried out by extension agencies to create positive change in the farmers’ living standards through increased productivity and enhanced income,’’ he said.
Drumming support for the provision of quality agricultural extension services, Dr Mohammed Khalid-Othman of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said that although agricultural extension services in Nigeria had been somewhat inactive, their importance could never be undermined.
“Extension services are suffering from a number of constraints such as underfunding, ageing and dwindling staff arising from low employment rate and retirement of the old staff.
“Presently, life is being injected into the agricultural extension services through various strategies and programmes championed by the Federal Government,
“For the first time, the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension was established in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“The department is responsible for policy formulation and coordination of agricultural extension activities,’’ he said.
In the same vein, Malam Sani Miko, the Country Director of Sasakawa Africa Association, a Geneva-based international agricultural development organisation, said that his organisation was collaborating with the Federal Government to revive agricultural extension services in Nigeria.
“This collaboration will facilitate the free flow of information about new technologies from researchers to grassroots farmers.
“It is the responsibility of extension workers to convey information from government and researchers to farmers on how to improve agriculture in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Miko said that the capacity of the extension workers would be built through seminars, workshops and other means, with the hope that they would convey the message to farmers.
“We want to teach the farmers how and when to cultivate their farms; how to use improved seeds; when and how to apply fertiliser; when and how to harvest.
“We will connect them with banks where they could obtain loans; we will ultimately connect them with markets where they can sell their yields at higher profits,’’ he said.
However, Miko observed that many extension service workers were not satisfied with the job because they possessed qualifications, which they thought could not take them beyond Salary Grade Level 14 in the civil service.
He, nonetheless, said that the challenge was being addressed via an arrangement between the organisation and Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, to enable Higher National Diploma holders among the extension workers to obtain degrees from the university within a specified period.
“This will give maximise their job satisfaction and it will also encourage them to work harder,’’ he noted.
Mr Daniel Jacob, the Director of Agricultural Services in the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Project, who underscored the need for more agriculture extension workers across the country, observed that the extension workers were inadequate.
“For instance, the ratio of extension workers to farmers in Kaduna State used to be 1:1,500; however, the present ratio stands at 1:3,240.
“This is grossly inadequate and highly disturbing because the World Bank-recommended ratio stands between 1:800 and 1:1,000.
“Unfortunately, the number of extension workers we have is on the decrease, while our population is on the increase,’’ Jacob added.
In view of this shortfall, experts underscore the need for private-sector participation in the funding and delivery of agricultural extension services so as to meet the needs of the farmers.
They argue that agricultural extension services have been dominated by the Agricultural Development Programme in Nigeria for a long time.
The experts insist that the traditional extension services, linked with production objectives and blanket recommendations, can no longer meet the farmers’ expectations.
They stress that pragmatic efforts should be made to encourage the private sector to provide agricultural extension services, while the government can play a strategic role by identifying gaps in the provision of such services.
Although many observers laud this suggestion, they nonetheless, call for the adoption of pragmatic strategies to change the orientation of agricultural extension workers, as part of efforts to improve their service delivery.
All the same, they concede that structured private-sector participation in agricultural extension service delivery will consequently boost agricultural production in the country.
Lawal is of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Mohammed Lawal
MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.
Corlins Walter
In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.
In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.
Corlins Walter