The Federal Government announced the launch of the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) during the National Agricultural Research Extension Summit, themed “Sustainable Agricultural Extension Service Delivery in Nigeria: The Role of Digital Technology”, which commenced on Wednesday, March 5th, in Abuja.
The National Electronic Extension Platform is a digital platform that strengthens connections between research institutions and farmers while simultaneously improving the delivery of agricultural services and productivity.
Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, stressed the use of technology in raising worker productivity while speaking at the Summit. He emphasised continuous initiatives to increase agricultural productivity by utilising contemporary equipment, such as tractors, for planting, harvesting, and land preparation.
He said, “The NEEP is a digital-based platform designed to enhance and effectively work with the National Agricultural Research and Extension System (NARES) and other relevant institutions in agricultural extension systems.
Underlining the importance of agricultural extension services in converting new technologies, creative practices, and research discoveries into workable solutions for farmers, the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service Director, Deola Tayo Lordbanjou, said, “The Federal Department of Agricultural Extension is tasked with providing leadership, coordination, quality control, and assurance for the overall effective delivery of Agricultural Extension Service in the nation, as is well known.”
According to Dr. Lordbanjou, the platform will onboard the outputs of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), universities, Agricultural Development Programs (ADPs), National Agricultural Research Institutes, and financial institutions. It would also ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of extension services, lower security risks for extension agents, and improve extension agent-to-farmer ratios.
