FG to strengthen agriculture with ICT

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said it will strengthen the capacity of directors in the ministry on the effective use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to collect and sharing timely and accurate information on weather, inputs, markets, and prices across the country. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Mohammed Bello […]

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said it will strengthen the capacity of directors in the ministry on the effective use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to collect and sharing timely and accurate information on weather, inputs, markets, and prices across the country.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Mohammed Bello Umar, disclosed this at a 3-Day Capacity Building on the ‘Use of ICT in Government Business for Directorate Grade Officers,’ organized by  Amzik Integrated Nigeria Limited, which ended weekend in Mararaba, on the outskirt of Abuja.

Dr. Umar said the government has recognised the importance of ICT in driving sustainable agriculture revolution, adding that government would do everything to train all the staff of the ministry to achieve the gold of the federal government’s Green Alternative programme.

Speaking on “Information & Communication Technology in Agriculture” a renowned Professor in ICT, Mohammed Baba Hammawa, said the effects of climate change were already impacting agriculture, making the challenge of achieving food security and improving nutrition increasingly difficult, adding in the face of such challenges, information is key to preparedness for farmers, which could mean a difference between a successful or failed harvest.

Professor  Hammawa  stressed that ICT can help in  “collecting and sharing timely and accurate information on weather, inputs, markets, and prices; by feeding information into research and development initiatives; by disseminating knowledge to farmers; by connecting producers and consumers.