The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has commenced a training program for 1,884 agricultural extension workers and food security specialists in Lafia, Nasarawa State. 

The workshop marks the launch of the Grassroots Digital Extension Corps (GDEC) Initiative, designed to build capacity across the North Central geopolitical zone and the Federal Capital Territory before expanding nationwide.

The training program targets 1,110 extension agents and 774 food security specialists to build a certified network of agricultural advisors. 

Speaking through the Head of Policy and Advocacy, Mrs. Yejide Olarinde, the Executive Secretary of NADF, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that extension agents serve as the primary link between research institutions and smallholder farming communities. Ibrahim explained that upskilling field personnel remains critical to accelerating technology adoption, increasing crop yields, and stabilising national food supplies.

Each participant will receive a digital tablet loaded with approved training materials and advisory resources upon completing the course. 

The curriculum covers digital extension methods, climate-smart farming techniques, field data collection, and modern communication strategies. 

Participating agents will undergo intensive instruction before receiving formal professional certification to deliver advisory services in their assigned operational zones.

The institutional intervention addresses long-standing gaps in agricultural knowledge delivery at the grassroots level. 

A representative from the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension (FDAE), Mrs Amao Oluwakemi, commended the initiative as a timely step toward bridging the gap between scientific research and field practice. 

She noted that equipping extension personnel with digital tools will accelerate the delivery of modern farming techniques directly to rural farmers.

Source: NAN