FCT revitalises agric extension services to boost food production

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has stepped up measure to revitalise agricultural extension services to boost food production in the territory, an official has said.

A Director of Agricultural Development Project (ADP) in the FCT, Mr Innocent Ajaefobi, said this on Saturday in Gwagwalada at the closing of the three days training programme organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The director, represented by the Acting Head, Extension Sub Programme, Mr Ude Ekele said the training, organised by the Federal Government was to revitalise agricultural extension services.

He called on participants at the training programme for agricultural extension agents to ensure effective use of knowledge acquired.

He urged them to put in their best to ensure that they were accepted by the farmers and not to be seen as agents of politicians.

Ajaefobi called on them to be innovative, creative, resourceful and ensure the application of scientific knowledge in the discharge of their duties as extension agents.

He urged farmers to relate with extension agents as persons coming to impact knowledge to increase their productivity and not agents of politicians.

Some of the participants, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), commended the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for organising the training programme.

Mrs Deborah Anigo, one of the participants said the training was a welcome development adding that such opportunity had never been granted to extension agents for a very long time.

She said the programme was impactful, adding that with the training, the extension agents were better equipped to transfer knowledge to the farmers.