NADF Trains 1,884 Extension, Food Security Officers Nationwide

 

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has commenced a nationwide capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria's agricultural extension system with the training of 1,884 Extension Agents and Food Security Specialists under its Grassroots Digital Extension Corps (GDEC) initiative.

The four-day training programme, which began on Monday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, marks the first phase of the nationwide exercise covering the North Central states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The programme will subsequently be replicated across the remaining five geopolitical zones.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, the Fund's Head of Policy and Advocacy, Mrs. Yejide Olarinde, said enhancing the capacity of extension personnel is critical to improving agricultural productivity and achieving sustainable food security.

She noted that agricultural extension workers serve as the vital link between research institutions, government interventions and farming communities.

> "Agricultural extension remains the critical link between research institutions, government interventions and farming communities. Strengthening the capacity of extension personnel is essential to improving technology adoption, increasing productivity and achieving sustainable food security," Olarinde said.

According to her, the nationwide programme will train 1,110 Extension Agents and 774 Food Security Specialists, creating a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting farmers with modern agricultural practices while strengthening food security planning across the country.

Participants will undergo intensive training in digital extension services, climate-smart agriculture, farmer advisory services, data collection, agricultural innovation and modern communication techniques. Successful participants will receive professional certification upon completion of the programme.

Olarinde also disclosed that each participant would be provided with a digital tablet preloaded with the approved training curriculum and extension materials to enhance field operations.

"These digital tools will ensure that extension personnel have easy access to training materials and can effectively deliver knowledge and advisory services to farmers wherever they are deployed," she added.

Also speaking, a representative of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension (FDAE), Mrs. Amao Oluwakemi, described the initiative as timely, stressing that strengthening extension services is essential to ensuring improved agricultural technologies reach farmers at the grassroots.

She said the programme would help bridge the gap between agricultural research and farm-level implementation, ultimately boosting productivity and improving farmers' access to innovation.

The training is being facilitated by agricultural extension experts, who are leading participants through practical and classroom-based sessions covering digital extension, climate-smart farming, agricultural innovation, communication, data management and field advisory techniques.

The Lafia training is expected to conclude on Thursday before the Grassroots Digital Extension Corps programme moves to other centres nationwide, as NADF intensifies efforts to modernise extension services and support Nigeria's food security agenda.