By Raymond Enoch
In a bid to provide visibility for Small Holder Farmers in Nigeria in order to optimize digital technology, the Federal Government of Nigeria ( FGN) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) held a Multi Stakeholders Strategic Dialogue on scaling up ICT4D for the Small Holders Farmers in Nigeria in Abuja on the 10th May, 2023
Declaring the Meeting open, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Dr. Ernest A. Umakhire represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanimu said that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is committed to the use of New information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) to better the lots of Small Scale Farmers (SSF) especially in the face of threatening Climate Change and changing economic situations.
According to Dr. Ernest, “ICT4D is Agri-food led and demand -driven project aimed at extending digital solutions to farmers in order to accelerate development on food systems and inject effective response to the far-reaching challenges in the supply chains”
He added that the ICT4D program would strengthen National Food and Nutrition Security and National Agriculture Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP 2023-2027 in line with Nigeria’s National Development Plan aimed at promoting digital technologies to enhance food systems and create business opportunities for economic growth, employment generation for the youth and women and create wealth in Agricultural value chains.
The Permanent Secretary who called on the Private Sector and other development partners and funders to invest massively in ICT4D for the empowerment of Small Holder Farmers commended the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, for their support to the sector which he said is benefiting farmers and promoting national development
Earlier, in her remarks, the Country Director, International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD in Nigeria Mrs. Dede Ekoue expressed gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for its partnership adding that ICT4D is designed to strengthen and provide Small holder farmers with requisite skills needed for today’s Agricultural systems and practices.
Mrs. Ekoue also appreciated the efforts of those who are committed to driving the process, which includes some members of the private sector and strategic institutions as well as partners in Nigeria.
She expressed optimism that ICT4D which is an IFAD initiative is aimed at improving Agricultural Food Systems and transformation.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director/CEO National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Service, Zaria, Prof. Kani Ike Said movement from analogue extension services to Digital technology and services is timely. He commended IFAD and relevant institutions especially the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development FMARD for supporting this model.
Prof. Ike pledged the commitment of his research center for the project and maintained that they would partner with IFAD and key strategic institutions for its success.
Highlights of the event includes paper presentations, plenary and group discussions to ensure all voices are integrated into the process that gives Small holder farmers skills needed to achieve the ICT4D.