Abuja, Oct. 23, 2024 (TheGavel) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria to enhance agricultural extension services aimed at empowering smallholder farmers. This collaboration is designed to improve the livelihoods, productivity, profitability, and market access of smallholder farmers across the country, ultimately boosting Nigeria’s food security.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made this announcement at the National Impact Workshop on Innovative Market-Led Extension Service Delivery in Abuja. The theme of the workshop, “Innovations in Market-Led Extension Service Delivery in Nigeria,” reflects the focus on advancing agricultural practices through innovative methods and collaborations.

Represented by Dr. Deola Lordbanjour, Director of Extension Services in the ministry, Kyari emphasized the crucial role of agricultural extension services as a key driver of innovation and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. He noted that providing smallholder farmers with efficient and responsive agricultural extension is essential for achieving food sufficiency in the country.

“Without efficient, impactful, and responsive pluralistic agriculture extension, we cannot transform agriculture in a way that Nigeria will be food sufficient,” Kyari said. He added, “The impact of this collaboration spans new business solutions, enhanced business growth, and job creation for both youth and women, while also boosting market access for MSMEs and farmers.”

Kyari further highlighted the significance of the partnership with USAID, which has introduced innovative private-sector-led extension services into Nigeria’s agricultural framework. These initiatives have been integrated into key national policies, such as the National Agricultural Extension Policy and the Agricultural Extension Teaching Manual, which will serve as reference points for future agricultural projects in Nigeria.

Jean-Pierre Rousseau, Director of Winrock International, USAID, underscored the importance of modernizing extension services to improve the agricultural sector. He emphasized that entrepreneurship, ingenuity, and innovation, particularly within Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), are driving the transformation of extension services in Nigeria.

“How do we transform agriculture in Nigeria to achieve food sufficiency, particularly when our extension system relies on one extension agent serving 10,000 farmers? The heart of our solution lies in Nigeria’s remarkable spirit of entrepreneurship,” Rousseau stated.

He further explained that the market-led extension model, driven by MSMEs, represents the future of extension services in Nigeria. This approach is seen as key to ensuring food self-sufficiency, with over 311 MSMEs acting as catalysts for change. These MSMEs have brought innovation, information, and productivity-enhancing inputs and services to over two million smallholder farmers nationwide.

The programme has introduced input credit models through MSMEs that have achieved a 95% repayment rate and facilitated over N67 billion in financing to smallholder farmers, further boosting their ability to adopt improved agricultural practices and technologies.

Rousseau expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential to become a global leader in innovative smallholder service delivery, stressing that the country’s agricultural sector can play a pivotal role in solving food insecurity challenges.

Earlier, Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, Director of the Field Extension Services Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, reiterated the government’s commitment to providing effective and demand-driven extension services to farmers, particularly youth and women. He noted that the collaboration with USAID’s Feed the Future Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Activity has empowered MSMEs to deliver impactful agricultural practices that enhance productivity and income for smallholder farmers.

In his presentation, Dr. Benjamin Odoemena, Chief of Party for USAID’s agricultural extension program, shared insights into the five-year development initiative aimed at scaling innovative extension models. The program, which targets over two million smallholder farmers, is focused on increasing access to improved agricultural technologies in seven states: Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Niger.

The collaboration between USAID and the Federal Government is expected to drive significant improvements in Nigeria’s agricultural extension services, contributing to the nation’s long-term goal of achieving food security.(NAN)

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