Agric Council ES meets executives of research colleges, promises technology based reforms

 

The recently resumed Executive Secretary (ES) of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubarka Adamu, has promised to utilize modern technologies to achieve an efficient database-driven operation, thereby enhancing system performance.

Dr. Adamu stated this while meeting with the newly elected executives of the National Association of Colleges of Agriculture and Related Disciplines (NACHCARD) after the 68th general meeting of the Association held last Thursday at ARCN, Headquarters, Abuja.

The ES said that nothing much can be attained without deployment of efficient data with full cooperation of the workforce, saying, " it is about building a transparent, trustworthy system. Without credible data, we can't plan. And without planning, there can be no progress."

The reforms, according to the ES, "target key issues including the elimination of ghost workers, improved tracking of staff promotions and retirement, and minimizing political interference in staffing decisions. A digital dashboard is also in development to help institutions forecast staffing needs and recruitment timelines."

Responding to the Council's ES, the newly elected chairman of the meeting of NACHCARD at the 68th edition, Dr. Chukwu O. Chukwu emphasized on better funding of colleges of agriculture in the country, saying that their strategic position in the training of youths in best agricultural practices towards food security in the country cannot be exhaustive.

Dr. Chuku said that " if Nigeria is serious about ending hunger, our colleges of agriculture must be properly funded, equipped, and recognized as essential to the national food security framework."

The chairman called for strong collaboration between the Federal and state governments, leaders of institutions, and development partners to empower youths and women in agriculture, adding that there is a need to integrate graduates into the national development initiative.

" We want to train young Nigerians not just in theory, but in real farming practices through outreach programs and government partnership, we will clear pathways from graduation to be gainfully empowered in Agricultural careers."

He added that his job is to mobilize his colleagues into supporting President Tinubu's food security program, pointing out that colleges of agriculture are not just schools. Still, they are engines of rural development and food production.