Nigeria has unveiled a platform to provide real-time solutions for farmers in the country, in enhancing agricultural extension service delivery.
The National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP), back –end office will be pivotal in addressing present challenges in extension service delivery in the country, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Aliyu who spoke at the inauguration.
As contained in a statement issued by the Ministry on Friday, through the Assistant Director, Information, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Dr. Aliyu said the current extension agent-to-farmer ratio, which stands at 1:25,000, remains unrealistic for effective agricultural development. However, he vealed that the platform would upscale outreach efforts, ensuring that farmers have immediate access to necessary information, methods, and techniques to accelerate agricultural productivity.
“Farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector will have access to good and impactful agricultural information on real-time basis as the platform is interactive, cost effective, and bypasses the risk of insecurity associated with extension service delivery in the country, Mr. Aliyu pointed out.
“NEEP platform would be accessible in English, pidgin, Youraba, Hausa, and Igbo language. It aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for national food security. Farmers with limited formal education can benefit.
“Farmers will be able to ask questions and receive real time answers, while agents will have a database of agricultural knowledge at their fingertips’’, he added.
The Minister concluded by revealing that NEEP, as the master online extension agent for Nigerians, will serve the purpose of the Nigerian farmer.
Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service, Dr. Deola Tayo Lordbanjou emphasized the critical role of agricultural extension services in translating research findings, innovative practices, and new technologies into practical solutions for farmers.
He said research is crucial to the agricultural development of any nation and the beauty of the efforts made by Agricultural Research Institutes is fully realized through a well-structured extension service.
Highlight of the occasion was the unveiling of the NEEP Back- End Office by the Minister, Dr. Aliyu.