Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, has launched the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP). This back-end office will provide real-time solutions to Nigerian farmers while improving agricultural extension service delivery.

At the recent inauguration of the NEEP back-end office in Abuja, the Minister claimed that the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) would address Nigeria’s present extension service delivery difficulties.

Sen. Abdullahi stated that the present extension agent-to-farmer ratio, which is 1:25,000, is unrealistic for effective agricultural growth. 

He revealed that the platform would upscale outreach efforts, ensuring farmers have immediate access to necessary information, methods, and techniques to accelerate agricultural productivity.

He pointed out that ”farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector will now have access to good and impactful agricultural information on a real-time basis as the platform is interactive, cost-effective, and bypasses the risk of insecurity associated with extension service delivery in the country.”

The Minister explained that ‘’the NEEP platform would be accessible in English, pidgin, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo, so even farmers with limited formal education can benefit.

“farmers will be able to ask questions and receive real-time answers, while agents will have a database of agricultural knowledge at their fingertips,’’ he added.

He further stated that “the launch of NEEP aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for national food security.

“We hope that NEEP, as the master online extension agent for Nigerians, will serve the purpose of the Nigerian farmer so that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for national food security can be achieved.”

In his welcome presentation, Dr. Deola Tayo Lordbanjou, Director of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service, emphasised the importance of agricultural extension services in translating research findings, innovative methods, and new technologies into practical solutions for farmers.

He said that research is critical to any country’s agricultural development and that Agricultural Research Institutes’ efforts are fully realised through a well-structured extension service.

The Hon. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security unveiled the NEEP Back-End Office, the event’s highlight. 

Source: Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security (FMAFS)