The federal ministry of agriculture has provided motorcycles to agric extension workers in Bauchi State to help them cover their extension areas and reach out to more farmers.
The five motorcycles were handed over to the Permanent secretary, Bauchi State ministry of agriculture and rural development, Bala Musa Lukshi by the State Director, federal ministry of agriculture, Muhammad Yusuf.
Speaking during the handing over of the motorcycles, the state director said that the vehicles were provided to the Bauchi State ministry of agriculture under the Green Alternative Programme (GAP).
He said that the aim of the program is to identify impediments in the agricultural sector and take the necessary steps to tackle them.
“One of these obstacles is that of inadequate support for extension services delivery, particularly in the area of logistics. The advocacy for improved agricultural production would never succeed if farmers are kept at bay from new/ideal agricultural information and technology, “he said.
He added that it was the reason to strengthen extension services that the minister of agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe decided to support the extension component of the ADP in Bauchi State with the motorcycles.
“I would like to seize this opportunity to call on the state government and the private sector to replicate this laudable and timely gesture in order to ensure that our national food security objective is accomplished, “he added.
Speaking after receiving the motorcycles on behalf of Bauchi State government, the Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State ministry of agriculture, Bala Musa Lukshi commended the federal ministry of agriculture for the support.
He noted that agricultural development is the key to the country’s overall socio-economic development of the country.
“We are also aware that extension services remain one of the dependable means through which farmers are carried along in terms of acquisition and utilisation of innovations,”he said.
On his part, the Program manager, Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme ( BSADP), Iliyasu Aliyu Gital said that the intervention is a welcome development as it will help in covering wider area and educating farmers on new farming technology and techniques.
Source: Daily Trust
