Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, made this statement during a workshop for Agriculture Correspondents on Wednesday in Abuja.
The workshop, themed “Building Strong Partnership with the Media for Food Security,” was organized by the Department of Information at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Ogunbiyi emphasized the importance of mobilizing, educating, and sensitizing Nigerians on the need to embrace agriculture. He noted that the Ministry recognizes the value of effective communication, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing to achieve its ambitious goals.
He pointed out that the workshop was particularly relevant due to the current administration's focus on agricultural development and its commitment to achieving food security.
“This workshop is a vital step in fostering a deeper understanding of the Ministry’s activities, programs, and projects among media correspondents for accurate reporting,” Ogunbiyi stated.
He further highlighted the critical role agriculture plays in the national economy, especially in light of global economic challenges and the need for economic diversification. He reiterated the necessity of educating Nigerians on the importance of agriculture.
Dr. Joel Oruche, Director of the Department of Information at the Ministry, also called for a stronger partnership with the media to support the Ministry's food security and employment generation goals. He stressed that the media’s role in educating the public about policies and programs that affect farmers was vital, especially for smallholder farmers.
Oruche explained, "Your duty is to continually educate the public on the policies, programs, and activities of the Ministry that impact farmers. Smallholder farmers depend on your ability to educate them on methodologies, input availability, and the application of tools that can enhance their yield."
Dr. Deola Lordbanjou, Director of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services, emphasized that food security is crucial to the well-being and economic stability of any nation. He highlighted the workshop’s theme, recognizing the vital role media partnerships play in promoting food security and sustainable farming practices.
Lordbanjou also spoke about the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP), an innovative initiative by the Ministry aimed at revolutionizing agricultural extension services in Nigeria. NEEP provides real-time market information, weather updates, and other services to assist farmers in optimizing their productivity.
“This platform will serve as a transformative tool for enhancing agricultural extension delivery,” he added.
Mr. Ishaku Buba, National Coordinator of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), mentioned that the scheme had successfully registered farmers nationwide through the use of ICT. This approach promotes transparency, accountability, and facilitates the evaluation of the scheme’s impacts.
