The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Department of Agricultural Extension in collaboration with National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) and Sasakawa-Africa Association/Global 2000, during the week held 3-day training for 3rd batch of extension workers on extension tools, methodologies and selected agricultural value chains in Yobe state.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Muhammad Mahmud Abubakar, while declaring the training opened said agricultural extension delivery is the driver of all agricultural policies and research, without which all effort in the agricultural ecosystem may not realise its intended goals.
Represented by director, Agricultural Service, Yobe state Ministry of Agriculture, Yusuf Ibrahim Muhammad, he said over the years, the fortunes of the agricultural extension system has declined due to decreased funding, policy changes, reduced man-power and lack of interest of young people in agricultural entrepreneurship.
“This situation has affected food production, thereby exposing the country to the dangers of unemployment, youth restiveness and economic instability.
“This training is one of several strategies planned by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to halt the drift in the agricultural extension system with the aim of pursuing the revitalisation agenda ot the Nigerian economy by the federal government,” the minister said.
