West/Central African research plans to reach more end-users

The West/ Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development ( CORAF) has promised to improve on strategies to get improved technologies to the use of farmers through effective communication strategies.

The Director, Research and Innovation CORAF, Dr. Emmanuel Njukwe emphasized the need to embark on strategic communications that would make farmers have access to available technologies for food sustainability, adding the need for partnership collaborations

Speaker after speaker shared their views on the way to enhance transferring of improved technologies to end users at the Tuesday side event tagged " Research to Extension to Farmers ( R2E)" as part of the program organized to mark the ongoing one week African Wide program on agricultural extension in Nigeria.

Dr. Nnemeka Ihegwuagu, a participant and Director from Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria emphasized the need to empower farmers through capacity building with exposition to research fairs where new agricultural technologies are being showcased.

The CEO, Ainona Seeds, Niger,  Mrs. Nasser Aichatois pointed on demand driven improved seeds saying there is need for more collaborations with other partners to ensure this information get down to the grassroot. 

Mr. Rex Chapota, Senior Advisor for strategy and growth at Farm Radio International, called for the transformation of bureaucratic processes within research institutes, and advocated for the strategic use of the media particularly radio in the disemination of crucial agricultural information to farmers.

 He also stressed the importance of early release of research materials for the purpose of easy comprehension and application of new technologies.

Food Farm News journalist cum Financial Secretary,  Agricultural Correspondents of Nigeria ( ACAN), Mr. Oluwaseun Ayeni emphasized the significance of visual and auditory communication  to farmers, adding that the use of media engagement through product technologies advertisement in a specialized paper would be very effective for visibility of new technologies.