The third batch of the nationwide training for agricultural extension workers kicked off in Abia on Wednesday with 55 registered participants.
The exercise was organised by the Federal Dept. of Agricultural Extension (FDAE), in collaboration with the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services.
In a speech to declare the event open, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji, charged Nigerians to take agriculture seriously to overcome the dwindling revenue from oil.
Mgbeoji, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, said that with the challenges currently rocking the oil sector, agriculture remains the country’s most viable revenue earner.
He said that apart from the fear of imminent dry up of crude, the sector was highly threatened by the nefarious activities of oil thieves.
The commissioner said that many states were already struggling to pay salaries because of the irregular allocation from the Federation Account.
“Nigeria’s crude is being siphoned on a daily basis by oil thieves and we have been told that it will soon dry up.
“These challenges explain why Nigerians should prepare their minds to embrace agriculture in order to survive the post-oil era,” he said.
