FG supports farmers’ programmes with N200m

Professor Arokoyo, who is the Team Leader, Agricultural Extension Transformation Agenda (AETA), made this known at the opening ceremony of a maiden meeting between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and SASAKAWA Africa Association (SAA), which took place at the National Agricultural Extension and Liaisons Services (NAERLS), Zaria.He said the money was […]

Professor Arokoyo, who is the Team Leader, Agricultural Extension Transformation Agenda (AETA), made this known at the opening ceremony of a maiden meeting between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and SASAKAWA Africa Association (SAA), which took place at the National Agricultural Extension and Liaisons Services (NAERLS), Zaria.
He said the money was meant to purchase motorcycles for extension workers, Hilux vehicles for each state of the federal and execute other activities that would actualise the success of the programme, which is expected to change the face of agriculture in Nigeria in a short period.
While advocating for adequate sensitisation on SASAKAWA’s activities, Professor Arokoyo advised state governors across the country to give the programme “the necessary attention.”
In his speech, the SAA Country Director in Nigeria, Professor Sani Miko, said their programme is aimed at building capacity of farmers through adult learning approach.
“We try to increase agricultural productivity through training and establishment of demonstration units, as well as strengthening capacities of farmers and state extension system,” Professor Miko said.
Earlier, the Director, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Dr. Mustapha Falaki had said that the meeting was organised to deliberate on possible ways that the SASAKAWA project would cover the entire country.
Dr. Falaki recalled that when the programme started as a pilot scheme in Kano and Kaduna, it had recorded tremendous achievements in the aspect of providing new technologies to farmers.