Institute task journalists on agriculture reportage

Institute task journalists on agriculture reportage
NAN-H-50
Journalists
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), March 2, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Elizabeth Douglas, the Head of Communications, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), on Friday advised journalists to take advantage of social media to boost agriculture policy reportage.
She gave the advice as a facilitator at a two-day training workshop for academics and journalists at the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaisons Services (NAERLS), Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training entitled: “Policy Communication Course for Academics and Journalists”, was organised by IFPRI in collaboration with NAERLS.
NAN also reports that the training, which was under “Feed the Future Nigeria Agriculture Policy” programme, is being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Douglas observed that effective agriculture policy reportage would assist in revamping national food security.
She identified social media like Twitter, What’s up, Facebook, Instagram, Google and tun-in, among others, as some of the channels to be used for wide-spread of reports.
The communication expert stressed the need for journalists to always update their knowledge and skills in line with the dynamic global trend.
The essence of the training, according to her, is to promote policy dialogue amongst stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Douglas added that it was also aimed at providing linkages between the policy-makers and stakeholders toward enhanced agricultural participation, thereby paving way for increased productivity.
She said: “The training programme is funded by USAID, at the same time, IFPRI is partnering with Michigan State University to ensure the success of the exercise.
“This is targeted at enhancing the skills and capacity of journalists toward becoming better informed in policy change,” she said. (NAN)
KLM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola