Letters

Promoting digital agricultural practices

Published by

January 1, 2020 3:08 am

THIS is the era of technological advancement with various digital improvements taking place around the continent. Therefore, there is urgent need for the use of digital solutions to address agricultural challenges across the globe to transform agriculture, strengthen the extension delivery systems and open up communication channels between government and farmers, especially small holder farmers.

Web-based applications can used to bridge the information gap in the agricultural seed sector and connect seed producers to their customers on its numerous benefits and the app can also serve as a means of registration for the seed producers as well as certification helping the seed businessman.

For the past five years, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, on its cassava weed management projects, has been using the APP and the 3-2-1 toll free code, which was created to solve farmers’ challenges in cassava production and it has increased the income of the farmers.

Also, the extension agents in the agricultural development programmes and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, should be able to train some of the small holder farmers on the different technology involved in weed management , planting practices, the basics of agronomy, farming systems, good mechanisation practices, livestock feed formulations , grazing establishment and also disseminate the basic technology involve with relevant information, innovations and good cultural practices.

This will enable various farmers to double their production and increase all forms of agricultural productivity and enhancement of livestock production to increase farm yields per hectare and provide income. The government should also be able to develop a training manual, framework for each of the extension agents, discuss and identify the farmers training needs, while some of the agricultural coordinators, agricultural focal persons, non-governmental organizations, universities and technicians should be able to organize training programmes for farmer – based organizations inthe coming years.