The Nigeria and the United States through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have struck a deal to empower extension workers, to boost food production.
The commitment was made at the National Impact Workshop with the theme: ‘Innovations in Market –led Extension Service Delivery, at the weekend in Abuja.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the collaboration would provide new business solutions, enhance economic growth, create more jobs for youth and women as well as grant access to markets for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Kyari stated that the partnership has led to improvements in extension and advisory services crucial in boosting the productivity and income of Nigerian farmer.
Represented by the Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services, Deola- Tayo Lordbanjou, he said: “Since 2020, we have jointly identified several impactful agricultural practices as business solutions for farmers, transforming MSMEs into key players in agricultural extension services.
“The results are also visible in the number of farmers that were reached with improved production practices, about 311 MSMEs that received different support to provide farmers with advisory services, and State’s Agricultural Development Programme.”
He noted that the partnership had facilitated the adoption of new agricultural technologies and promoted market access for farmers.
On his part, Director, Winrock International, Jean – Pierre Rousseau said: We have over MSMEs serving as change catalysts, bringing innovation and productivity-enhancing inputs to the doorsteps of 2 million smallholder farmers across Benue ,Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi , Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger states.”
In his presentation, USAID Chief of Party, Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, Dr Ben Odoemena stated that the extension activity’s approach was anchored on private sector engagement, with a primary focus on partnering with MSMEs and other private sector extension and market service providers to test, adapt and scale MIPs for smallholder farmers.
Odoemena explained that MIPs are business solutions/opportunities that effectively and sustainably facilitate access to agro-inputs, market, and extension messaging by smallholder farmers.
