Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Professor Garba Sharubutu, has called on media professionals to expand their role beyond simply reporting agricultural issues to actively educating and raising awareness among farmers nationwide about various government programmes.
He made this appeal during a media and civil society organisations (CSOs) sensitisation programme held in Abuja, where he also highlighted the government’s plans to establish a comprehensive linkage involving researchers, journalists, civil society organisations, and farmers.
Professor Sharubutu praised the launch of the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) and stressed the role of the ARCN in supporting and coordinating the current administration’s agricultural initiatives.
According to Sharubutu, the council is crucial to the implementation of key programs, including NEEP, the National Agricultural Development Fund, and the Renewed Hope Agricultural Technology Adoption Programme (RHATAP).
These programs, he noted, are central to the government’s commitment to improving the agricultural sector and enhancing food security in Nigeria.
The ARCN Executive Secretary reiterated the importance of media outlets and CSOs in forming a united front to promote a multi-disciplinary approach to achieving sustainable food security in the country.
He highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the council and agricultural practitioners to monitor the distribution of vital farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and grains, underscoring the importance of ensuring these inputs are properly utilised by farmers.
Sharubutu stressed that journalists, NGOs, and farmers must work together to change the knowledge base of farmers.
He pointed out that while the NEEP platform provides critical information about suitable seeds and farming techniques, it is the role of the media to disseminate this knowledge directly to farmers in their communities.
“This is why I emphasise the collaboration between journalists, NGOs, and farmers,” he said. He added that the ultimate goal is to empower farmers with the necessary information to improve their productivity.
Furthermore, the ARCN Executive Secretary discussed the evolving methodologies of agricultural extension services, which serve as the channels through which new knowledge, technology, and innovations developed by research institutions are passed on to farmers.
He argued that as the world moves forward with technological advancements, agricultural extension practices must also evolve to stay relevant and effective.
Sharubutu also revealed that the ARCN has introduced several innovative mechanisms aimed at bridging the gap between modern farming practices and the farmers who need them.
Among these innovations is the establishment of the Agricultural Research Museum, a unique facility that serves as a one-stop shop for showcasing and commercialising the findings of the National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and the Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs).
Professor Sharubutu called for continued collaboration and an enhanced partnership among researchers, journalists, civil society groups, and farmers to drive progress in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and ultimately achieve the goal of food security for all.
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