NAERLS recommends investment in climate smart agriculture, extension activities in wet season report

THE NATIONAL AGRICULTUR AL EXTENSION AND RESEARCH LIAISON SER VICES (NAERLS) has recommended investment in climate-smart agriculture and the strengthening of agricultural extension activities in its 2020 wet season Agricultural Performance Survey Report (APSR), it submitted to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).

The field survey carried out between August 23 and August 30 and writted by NAERLS, in partnership with other agricultural institutions, was presented by Mohammed Othman, executive director, NAERLS.

According to the report, there was less rainfall generally in August this year compared to the same period in 2019.

The report also recorded that dry spell occurred in South West, South East and North Central zones between July and August, as well as occurrences of flood in some parts of the country.

Apart from investment in climate-smart agriculture, and development of strategy to strengthen agricultural extension activities, the report also recommended building lasting and sustainable grass-root extension delivery institutions, at the Federal and state government levels, evolving a definitive action plan on stemming insecurity as well as enhancing productivity through an effective input subsidisation blueprint.

It further recommended increasing support to the National Farmers Helpline as an e-Extension strategy to boost advisory delivery and setting up of an Agricultural Trust Fund to cater for farming activities, especially in periods of emergency.

Muhammad Nanono, minister of agriculture and rural development commended the report for its timeliness and precision, urging farmers to intensify efforts in order to succeed in the dry season.

He disclosed that there were increases in the production of rice and maize and stated that the federal government is doing whatever it could to support farmers with seedlings to mitigate the effect of flooding.