The Ogun State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agricultural extension services as part of efforts to enhance food security, create jobs and drive economic growth.
The Acting Programme Manager, OGADEP, Mrs. Abiola Sobukola who made this known during a pre- season training organized for Extension Officers with the theme, Value Addition and Climate Change for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation" at Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, said that it was an effort to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Sobukola, explained that the training was aimed at improving the effectiveness of extension service delivery across the State, stressing that the roles of extension workers was critical in bridging the gap between government policies, research innovations and smallholder farmers.
"The training is a part of ongoing effort of the State government to equip agricultural workers with the knowledge and tools required to drive sustainable agricultural development and ensure food security” she said
She pointed out that performance of extension officers was closely tied to their working conditions, which included, mobility access to tools and incentives , which she said would not only boost productivity, but also raise morale and maximize the impact of government investments in agriculture, describing the gathering as a strategic avenue to strengthen the extension system in the State.
The Acting Programme Manager appreciated the present administration, while calling for the need to strengthen support system over the low ratio of extension agents, which had posed a challenge to effective service delivery, urged participants to actively engage with one another during the programme by sharing experiences, learning new approaches and building stronger professional networks.
A Facilitator, Head, Crops Component, OGADEP, Dr. Modupe Abidemi, in her submission said that as climate change was rapidly reshaping the landscape of agricultural production, she warned that its impact on crop diseases could have serious consequences for food security, highlighted how changes in temperature , humidity and rainfall were altering plant disease dynamics.
Dr. Abidemi, said environmental conditions remained the most powerful driver of plant disease outbreaks, noted that warmer temperature and increased humidity were creating favourable conditions for pathogens to thrive .
Representatives of the participants, Ifeoluwa Odewole from Yewa North and Abiodun Temitope from Obafemi Owode, appreciated the agency for organising such an eye opening workshop, promising to maximise what had been garnered and cascade same to others
The event concluded with a call for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to ensure a more efficient and impactful agricultural extension system in the State.
Tags:
Agriculture