Bauchi, Gombe to address policy gaps in agric extension service delivery

In an effort to address the policy gaps in agricultural extension service delivery towards improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Bauchi and Gombe states, agriculture policymakers had converged on Jos, the Plateau State capital, to brainstorm on the way forward. The one-day policy dialogue is part of the Together Against Poverty (TAP) project, the […]

In an effort to address the policy gaps in agricultural extension service delivery towards improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Bauchi and Gombe states, agriculture policymakers had converged on Jos, the Plateau State capital, to brainstorm on the way forward.

The one-day policy dialogue is part of the Together Against Poverty (TAP) project, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from Oxfam, with the aim of advocating towards promoting fairer and more resilient food systems that improve the livelihoods of women and men small-scale producers in the two states

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, said with a new administration underway, they believe engagements with relevant returning and incoming state actors are imperative.

Represented by CISLAC Program Manager, Chinedu Bassey, the Executive Director said the engagements will re-emphasise the importance of commitments and adequate responses/actions towards the adoption and implementation of policies and practices, as well as increasing citizen engagement—particularly women small-scale producers—with policymakers.

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“As you are well aware, we have conducted several engagements across both states, towards advancing opportunities for the effective implementation of agricultural development programmes, including the adoption and adaptation (domestication) of the National Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP) as a veritable mechanism for improving the delivery/provision of agricultural extension services to smallholder women and men farmers (SHFs).

“This also includes improving budgetary allocations to support effective and sustainable implementation of policies, programs and extension services to women and men small-scale producers in both Bauchi and Gombe states,” ED said.

In his remarks, Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abubakar Suleiman, said the best way to tackle poverty is to tackle it from the grassroots, and that most people at the grassroots are farmers.

Suleiman, who is also the Chairman Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, explained that if measures can be put in place to address farmers challenges, it will enhance food security and tackle poverty by extension in the nation.

On his part, the Acting Programme Manager of Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme, Maina Jonathan Awan, said Gombe State farmers have enjoyed good support from their state governor, and that the governor holds agriculture in high esteem.

Awan, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said through the government’s intervention in agriculture, the state has experienced tremendous growth in the sector, including eliminating the farmers-herders clash over four years ago.