The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has called on governments at all levels to employ agriculture graduates and train them as extension officers to educate rural farmers on the proper use of modern farming technology.
Mr. Tunde Arosanyin, Leader of AFAN Stakeholders and Chairman of the association, made the appeal on Thursday in Ilorin, North central Nigeria
Arosanyin noted the widening gap between modern farming practices and their adoption by rural farmers, stressing the need for trained personnel to bridge this divide.
“There is a serious disconnect between available agricultural technology and its utilisation at the grassroots. Extension officers are needed to interpret and communicate these tools effectively to rural farmers,” he said.
He lamented the decline of extension services in the country, saying their near extinction was a major setback to food production efforts.
“The government at all levels should come to the rescue by employing agriculture graduates and training them as extension officers.
“These officers will be critical in educating farmers on the appropriate use of technology, the right seeds to plant, best planting periods, harvesting timelines, post-harvest practices, and modern innovations in the sector,” he added.
Arosanyin also called for the revival of extension services, noting that many farmers still lack proper orientation and support in adopting improved agricultural practices.
He urged state and local governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by introducing robust farmer subsidy programmes, including the provision of modern tools and inputs to smallholder farmers.
