By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The federal government has reiterated the importance of research institutions and extension services in ensuring food production.
Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Hon Mustapha Baba Shehuri stated that the government will continue to strengthen its agricultural research institutes and extension services in order to collectively deliver on its mandate.
He said according to a statement on Friday that the new paradigm shift focuses on the Research and Development, good Extension Services, Input deliveries and provision of Integrated Rural Infrastructures to support farmers and other stakeholders.
The Minister made this statement during the courtesy call on the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in Government House, Benin on Friday.
Shehuri stated that Research Institutes are to engage in Farmers driven and coordinated Research activities that will yield immediate benefit to farmers; this is being supported with good Extension Services for the farmers to take maximum advantage of research output.
He pointed out that the ministry has the mandate of ensuring that food and nutritional security is attained by working closely with all the State Governments, private sectors and other relevant stakeholders.
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The Minister informed that ‘’ the total of 1100 extension agents are trained in the first batch of the training comprising 30 from each state of the federation and the FCT. The training exercise is a train- the -trainer approach and the extension agents are to step down the new innovations acquired to the farmers in their communities.
‘’ Edo State is among the leading states in the productions of Rice, Cassava and Maize amongst the food crops. In access of tree crops, Edo State is a clear leader in Oil Palm, Rubber and of recent, the cocoa production in the state has stepped up to rival with other states such as Ondo and Osun states.”
He highlighted some of the intervention projects of the ministry in Edo state that are on-going or have been completed in the Rural Communities of the State meant to augment state efforts.
According to him, “these interventions include asphalt Rural Roads, Solar Powered/Motorized Boreholes and Solar Street Lights in different parts of Rural Communities in Edo State”.
He noted that ‘’the Nigeria Institute of Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) are among the two oldest Research Institutes located in Edo State.
In his remarks, Obaseki said that the Agricultural policies of the state is in tune with the Federal Government’s programme of diversification of the economy through Agriculture.
He expressed the need to streamline some of the Agricultural Institutes in the country, which will help Government to reduce running costs and curb wastage.
The Minister concluded his working visit to some states in the South South Geopolitical zone by visiting the one-stop Extension Delivery Centre in Ovia South West.
