The Kebbi State Government has announced its intention to significantly increase the number of extension workers in the state from 69 to 1,000, as part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance agricultural development. Alhaji Shehu Mu’azu, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, revealed this plan during the 2024 Weekly Ministerial Press Briefing held in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
Mu’azu emphasized the crucial role of extension workers in conveying information about new agricultural technologies to farmers, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of agricultural productivity. He highlighted the initiative as a response to the realization that only 69 extension workers were currently serving in the state.
The Commissioner credited the state’s commitment to agricultural growth and development to His Excellency, Dr. Nasir Idris, who has spearheaded efforts to increase the number of extension workers to 1,000. Currently, the number has been raised to 650, and plans are in progress to reintegrate retired extension agents to mentor younger ones.
Mu’azu expressed satisfaction with the present administration’s efforts in ensuring the availability of genuine, reliable, and quality seeds throughout the year for farmers in the state. He outlined additional agricultural development initiatives, including the use of ICT and efficient strategies to strengthen agricultural service delivery. This aims to facilitate the effective, timely, and widespread dissemination of valuable agricultural and climate-smart information to farmers.
The Commissioner highlighted activities such as Quelea bird control during both wet and dry seasons of 2023 to prevent the destruction of millet and rice. Other initiatives featured in the state’s agricultural development efforts include the distribution of solar-powered irrigation pumps, procurement of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for converted irrigation pumps, distribution of power tillers and motorized pump sprayers to Farmers’ Cooperative Groups, and the participation of 39,500 farmers in the Federal Government’s dry season production programme. The state has also launched the Kaura Agricultural Development and Growth Agenda, aiming to attract agriculture and agribusiness investments through partnerships at local, national, and international levels.
