WAAPP trains on agric extension

The West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) has organised a two-day workshop in Enugu on revitalising agricultural extension in Nigeria with stakeholders calling for sustainability and proper funding.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, represented by the director, Department of Extension, Dr. Aminu Babandi, said his ministry recognises the contribution of WAAPP towards the promotion and enhancement of agricultural extension through a value chain.

He said due to the timebound nature of WAAPP, it is imperative that all stakeholders particularly the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria begin to put measures to consolidate the gains achieved by the programme.

Also, WAAPP National Project Coordinator, Prof. Damian Chikwendu, said the objective of WAAPP is to strengthen the national agricultural research system to contribute to technology development, dissemination and adoption so as to boost agricultural productivity.

Enugu State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr. Michael C. Eneh, said the state has keyed into the federal government’s agricultural plan so that there is synergy, adding that the state is rich in the production of rice, pineapples, cashew and banana.

Reports on extension committee, sustainable funding mechanism, e-technology transfer, concept of value chain and innovation platform were presented at the end of the workshop and a communiqué on the roadmap for extension delivery system in the country.