The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has said the Federal Government is deploying digital technology to improve farmers’ access to agricultural information, boost productivity and strengthen food security across the country.
He disclosed this following the training of 1,884 agricultural extension agents and food security specialists under the Grassroots Digital Extension Corps (GDEC), an initiative designed to bridge the gap between agricultural research and its practical application by farmers.
The programme comprises 1,110 agricultural extension agents and 774 food security specialists trained across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Abdullahi explained that the initiative would provide farmers with practical information on improved farming methods, climate-smart agriculture, pest control and market access to enhance productivity and strengthen food security.
He noted that the difference between successful farmers and others often lies not in access to knowledge but in their ability to retain and apply such knowledge on their farms.
According to him, this underscores the importance of agricultural extension services in translating technical knowledge into improved farming practices.
The Head of Public Partnerships and Investor Relations at the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mrs Yejide Olarinde, said the trained personnel had been equipped with the technical knowledge, practical competence and digital skills required to interpret agricultural information and provide effective advisory services to farmers.
She stressed that technology must be complemented by competent and accessible frontline personnel to ensure that farmers benefit from improved agricultural practices.
Through digital platforms, farmers are expected to receive timely information on weather patterns, best farm management practices, climate-smart agriculture and market opportunities to enable them to make informed production and marketing decisions.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayodeji Sotinrin, said access to appropriate technical guidance would help farmers use agricultural inputs effectively, manage production risks, improve yields and earn better returns.
He added that the initiative would also strengthen the sustainability of agricultural financing by ensuring that farmers receive the necessary technical support to maximise the benefits of loans and other financial assistance.
Sotinrin described the use of digital technology to expand the reach of agricultural advisory services as a promising approach to addressing the challenges facing farmers.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the initiative would generate valuable field-level data to help government policymakers and other stakeholders understand farmers’ needs and develop more responsive, evidence-based interventions.
He observed that despite Nigeria’s vast agricultural resources and growing investment in research and innovation, a significant gap remained between knowledge generated and its practical application on farms.
Ibrahim said the programme would help bridge the gap by providing policymakers with relevant information to design interventions that directly address farmers’ challenges.
