Nigerian government plans to develop a web app to train more farmers

The Nigerian Federal Government plans to develop a web app to address the shortage of extension workers and better train farmers. 

In a recent TV interview, the minister for State for Agricultural and Food Security Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi stated intentions to facilitate a web application that would train farmers on guidelines and better practices in farming applications.

He said this in response to questions concerning extension services to train farmers on up-to-date practices in farming. According to him, the rationale for the app development stems from the low rate of farmers and extension workers in the country. 

“We also realise that the ratio of extension workers to farmers is still something that many extension workers will not have the required information,” Abdullahi  said “Right now, we are currently working on an E-extension program. We are going to develop an app to be translated into the major languages so that farmers can access it to guide their operation.” 

Abdullahi went further to assure Nigerians that the inflationary pressures on commodities will soon be controlled due to the programmes and interventions by the government. He said the government plans to import specific food commodities into the country within 150 to 180 days. He described this as a short-term strategy to boost supply and reduce prices soon.

Nigeria's current food crisis has been at an all-time high, with food inflation reaching 40.87% in June, and international development organisations project that the numbers will only go higher. According to the International Rescue Committee, 32 million Nigerians will face a severe food crisis between June and August 2024.

Last week, the federal government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari announced plans to allow duty-free importation of food items such as maize, rice paddy, and wheat for 150 days to stabilise market prices.

The decision to import food has sparked criticism, particularly from farmers as this move contradicts the earlier stance of the Presidency on food security, with President Tinubu asserting that Nigeria will produce its food rather than import it.

It also raises concerns about the long-term effect of this on the economy. President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and former Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina during the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa retreat held in Abuja on Saturday called the policy depressing. 

“Nigeria cannot import its way out of food insecurity. Nigeria must not be turned into a food import-dependent nation,” Adesina said.