By Stella Odueme
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has commenced a nationwide capacity-building programme for 1,884 agricultural extension personnel and food security specialists under its Grassroots Digital Extension Corps (GDEC) initiative, aimed at strengthening extension services and enhancing food security across Nigeria.
The four-day training, which began on Monday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, marks the first phase of the programme for participants from the North Central states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The exercise will subsequently be held in the remaining five geopolitical zones.
Representing the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, the Fund’s Head of Policy and Advocacy, Mrs. Yejide Olarinde, said the initiative is designed to equip extension personnel with the digital skills and modern agricultural knowledge required to improve service delivery to farmers.
She noted that effective extension services remain vital in connecting research institutions, government interventions and farming communities.
“Agricultural extension remains the critical link between research institutions, government interventions and farming communities.
Strengthening the capacity of extension personnel is essential to improving technology adoption, increasing productivity and achieving sustainable food security,” Olarinde said.
She disclosed that the nationwide programme will train 1,110 Extension Agents and 774 Food Security Specialists, creating a highly skilled workforce to support farmers, promote innovation and strengthen food security planning nationwide.
According to her, participants who successfully complete the training will each receive a digital tablet preloaded with the approved curriculum and extension resource materials to improve knowledge dissemination in the field.
“These digital tools will ensure that extension personnel have easy access to training materials and can effectively deliver knowledge and advisory services to farmers wherever they are deployed,” she added.
Also addressing participants, Mrs. Amao Oluwakemi of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension (FDAE) described the initiative as a significant step toward revitalising Nigeria’s agricultural extension system.
She said the programme would help bridge the gap between research and practice by ensuring that improved technologies and innovations reach farmers at the grassroots.
The training features practical and classroom sessions facilitated by agricultural extension experts, covering digital extension services, climate-smart agriculture, farmer advisory techniques, agricultural innovation, data management and effective communication.
The Lafia training is expected to conclude on Thursday, after which the programme will continue in other geopolitical zones as NADF expands the Grassroots Digital Extension Corps initiative across the country.
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