1 hour ago
2
The Taraba State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Oliver, has said unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures and changing pest patterns have made traditional farming methods insufficient.
Speaking on Wednesday during a three-day training workshop for 60 extension agents on digital extension approaches and climate-smart advisory services, which took place at the Farm Field School, Jimlari, in Lau Local Government Council of the state, he stressed the need to modernize agricultural extension services through digital technology.
Organized by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), the training, which brought extension agents from various local government councils of the state, according to the commissioner, is aimed at boosting livestock productivity and resilience across the state.
Represented by the Director of Livestock Services, Mr. Dame Musa Buhari, the commissioner explained that digital extension involves the use of mobile phones, internet services and data analytics to deliver timely agricultural advice, weather alerts and market information to farmers, as well as provide location-specific guidance using satellite data and soil mapping.
He added that the climate-smart advisory component would enable extension agents to guide farmers on sustainable productivity, resilience to climate shocks and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through practices such as efficient water management, soil conservation and the use of resilient varieties.
“You are the frontlines of this agricultural revolution. The knowledge gained here must be transferred to the farmers and applied on the field,” he said, assuring participants of the ministry’s commitment to providing the necessary policy and infrastructural support.
Also speaking, the State Project Coordinator of Taraba L-PRES, Mr. Hananiah G. Albert, who spoke through the L-PRES ICT Officer, Mr. Ezra Artimas, commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his sustained support for the project, describing it as critical to the successful delivery of its mandate in the state.
Albert explained that L-PRES is a livestock-focused project of the state government, funded by the World Bank, with the objective of improving productivity, commercialization and resilience of targeted livestock production systems, while strengthening capacity to respond to crises and emergencies.
He said the project focuses on cattle, sheep/goats and poultry, noting that Taraba State has comparative advantages in the production of these livestock species.
According to him, the training falls under Subcomponent 1.2 of the project and is designed to strengthen extension services through the use of digital tools and climate-smart advisory services on good animal husbandry practices.
“This training is crucial as extension agents are at the forefront of disseminating information to farmers. Promoting digital literacy and climate-smart practices will significantly impact livestock production and livelihoods in the state,” Albert said.
Supporting the position of the commissioner, he noted that participants would be trained on digital tools for extension delivery, climate-smart advisory services and best practices in animal husbandry, with the goal of equipping them to support farmers more effectively.
Albert also applauded the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the National Coordination Office of L-PRES led by the National Project Coordinator, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, as well as the trainers and facilitators for their continued support to the project.
Rising temperatures, pest changes threaten traditional farming in Taraba – Commissioner
