The Abia State Government has tasked Ward Agricultural Coordinators across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas with ensuring proper monitoring of farmers receiving inputs under its Farmers’ Inputs Support Programme.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Cliff Agbaeze, gave the charge during a four-day capacity-building programme for Ward Agricultural Coordinators and agricultural extension personnel, organised by the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), through its Agribusiness Incubation Centre.
Represented by Stephanie Ariwodo of the ministry’s Department of Epidemiology, the Commissioner urged the participants to acquire practical knowledge that would produce measurable results for farmers.
He said the coordinators were responsible for monitoring beneficiaries of the state’s Farmers’ Inputs Support Programme, verifying the distribution and utilisation of farm inputs, identifying challenges confronting farmers and providing feedback to the ministry.
“Ward Agricultural Coordinators have a responsibility to monitor beneficiaries of the state’s Farmers’ Inputs Support Programme, verify the distribution and utilisation of farm inputs, identify challenges confronting farmers and provide feedback to the ministry.” Ariwodo said.
The training, which commenced on Tuesday and runs until Friday, focuses on modern agricultural techniques, agribusiness, pest management and the responsibilities of ward coordinators in supporting farmers and monitoring agricultural interventions at the grassroots.
Speaking on the challenges facing farmers, MOUAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Akanwa, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Development, Prof. Princewill Chukwudo, identified declining soil fertility, rising input costs, climate variability, inadequate extension services, limited mechanisation and weak market linkages.
She advocated greater attention to organic agriculture, integrated soil fertility management, biological pest control and climate-smart agricultural practices.
“Ward agricultural coordinators are frontline partners in ensuring that sustainable farming techniques and agricultural interventions reach farmers at the grassroots,” Akanwa stated.
The training combines lectures with practical sessions facilitated by experts from MOUAU and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Participants are being trained in agricultural waste conversion into organic fertiliser, crop improvement, improved cassava production, maize and plantain cultivation, value addition, agricultural processing, smart agriculture and modern pest management.
The organisers said the collaboration would strengthen agricultural extension services across Abia’s 17 Local Government Areas and improve farmers’ access to technical support.
The programme is also expected to help improve monitoring of agricultural interventions, identify farmers’ needs and facilitate the delivery of appropriate technical support to farmers.
