NAN-AE-6
Information
Omu-Aran (Kwara), Jan. 13, 2017 (NAN) Mr Samuel Adeniyi, the President, Agbeniyi Farmers Association of Omu-Aran, Kwara, has advised government and research institutes to avail farmers of needed information to boost yield.
Adeniyi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Omu-Aran.
He said that majority of farmers do not have access to current and vital information needed to improve and sustain their farming businesses.
Adeniyi decried the poor performance of extension workers in educating farmers on the best practices required to achieve maximum yield.
“The farmers also do not have access to periodic warning on weather and climatic conditions by the forecast agency to avoid incurring losses.
“Our concern is with regards to local farmers in remote communities.
“In the past, we had extension workers in the communities to assist farmers with useful tips that could enhance production, but now the case is different,’’ he said.
Adeniyi said it was difficult for many farmers to travel long distances to ministries in state capitals to access such information and urged government to address the challenge.
“This is the only way such farmers, especially at the grassroots, can be carried along in transforming the sector to ensure its growth and development,’’ he said.
He also suggested the restructuring of agriculture departments in local government councils to ensure prompt and adequate access to information by farmers.
“The local government councils remain the closest to the grassroots and if well-equipped to serve the farmers would bring about the desired result.
“The use of electronic SMS via mobile phones to get the farmers informed periodically, which should not be limited to the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES) initiative, would also be an advantage,” he said.
Adeniyi commended the Federal Government’s GES initiative, saying the scheme had been able to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks in accessing farm inputs at subsidised rate by local farmers. (NAN)
ISHO/JEO/OJO
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(Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Mufutau Ojo)