To boost the state’s extension worker count from 69 to 1,000, the Kebbi State Government has installed equipment.
This was revealed by Alhaji Shehu Mu’azu, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, on Monday during the 2024 Weekly Ministerial Press Briefing in Birnin Kebbi.
“We realized that we had only 69 extension workers in the state when the new government came on board,” he stated.As they are the ones informing farmers throughout the state about new technologies, we think extension agents are essential to the growth and development of agriculture.
Punch Anniversary Lecture: Prof. Wole Soyinka, Guest Speaker, Discusses Recovering the Narrative.”In order to increase agricultural productivity, His Excellency, Dr. Nasir Idris has stepped up efforts to increase the number of these extension workers from 69 to 1,000.”
He continued by saying that they could currently increase the number to 650 and that plans were in place to reabsorb retired extension agents in order to help train the newer ones.
He expressed his satisfaction that the current administration had made sure farmers in the state could always get real, trustworthy, and high-quality seeds.In order to guarantee that farmers receive high-quality, timely, and statewide agricultural information that is climate-smart, he declared, “ICT and efficient strategies will be deployed to strengthen agricultural service delivery in the state.
“In order to keep millet and rice from being destroyed, Quelea birds will be controlled during both the wet and dry seasons of 2023. This is another developmental activity.Additionally, we purchased 6,000 solar-powered irrigation pumps, which are presently being given to farmers throughout the state.Additionally, we approved the purchase of 10,000 LNG units to be used in converted irrigation pumps.
“We purchased and provided Farmers’ Cooperative Groups with 300 power tillers and 300 motorized pump sprayers,” he stated.Mu’azu further disclosed that 39,500 farmers throughout the state—30,000 rice farmers, 7,500 maize farmers, and 2,000 cassava farmers—participated in the Federal Government’s dry season production program.
He gave his word that the state had also started the Kaura Agricultural Development and Growth Agenda, partnering with regional, national, and worldwide organizations to encourage investments in agrobusiness and agriculture in the state.