By Olukayode Micheal, Maiduguri
The
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has convened a
technical knowledge fair for stakeholders in agriculture sector in the North
East to boost agricultural growth in the troubled region.
A statement from the UN Agency on Monday said is aimed at enhancing extension
service delivery in the northeast and boost the promotion of Good Agricultural
Practices (GAPs) and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
The fair which commenced on Monday May 6 ends on Wednesday May 8 and brings
agriculture sector experts across local institutions in the region, including
the agricultural development programmes (ADPs), local NGOs and academic
institutions.
The statement said through interactive ‘classroom sessions’ extension agents
will be trained on improved agricultural practices for cereals, pulses and
vegetables, with the trainings conducted jointly with The International Crops
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), The International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and The University of Maiduguri.
The statement further said: “The technical knowledge share fair will also
introduce participants to the nutrition-sensitive agriculture approach which
examines the ways through which agriculture can improve nutrition outcomes.”
The statement quoted, the Deputy FAO Representative in Nigeria, Nourou Tall,
saying during the opening ceremony of the fair, that state and LGA
level-institutions are yet to be fully operational and require urgent support
to meet the massive needs of vulnerable farmers.
He said: “With the improved security situation in some areas, 2017 to 2019 are
touchstone years for farmers across the region. Many resumed cultivation after
seven to ten years of no production and are returning to the sector with little
knowledge of improved practices.’
Tall further stressed that FAO would continue to meet the needs of vulnerable
farming communities through the farmer field school and group savings and loan
association approaches which have provided close to 2,000 households with
training on good agricultural practices and business development.
The statement revealed that in the forthcoming rainy season, FAO aims to assist
about 92,000 households with crop seed and fertilizer delivered through direct
distributions, as well as seed fairs where farmers can make their ‘seed of
choice’ from FAO-supported seed vendors. May’s knowledge share fair will also
discuss ways to improve the targeting of beneficiaries for agricultural
livelihood assistance.
The statement however lamented that with the agricultural institutions and
systems in northeast Nigeria have been disrupted by a decade of conflict.
It said: “Across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, the armed insurgency has affected
agriculture extension and advisory services delivery to smallholder producers,
resulting in the widening of the knowledge and skills gaps and impeding
smallholder production.
“According to projections of the latest Cadre Harmonize, 2.7 million people
will be severely food insecure (Phase 3-5) in August 2019 if humanitarian
support is not sustained. In 2019, FAO aims to reach 1.3 million farmers with
livelihood support and has appealed for USD 32.4 million, about 3.6 million of
which has been mobilized.”