From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is working assiduously to help mitigate the effects of climate change especially the environmental menace in agriculture and reduce wastage in farming in Nsukka, Enugu State.
ATPS, a transdisciplinary network of researchers, policy-makers, private sector, and civil society actors promotes the generation, dissemination, use and mastery of science, technology and innovation (STI) for African development, environmental sustainability, and global inclusion.
The group recently organised a 2-day validation workshop on key capacity needs, proven local knowledge in the agricultural extension system and co-development of training programme and technical support, at Eziani community in Nsukka Local Government Area. The event was sponsored by International Development Research Centre of Canada, (IDRC).
National Coordinator, ATPS Nigeria, Prof. Michael Madukwe, said that the validation workshop with the theme: “Strengthening the capacity of agricultural extension system to use proven knowledge and the technologies to sustain equitable locally led adaptation among small holders farming communities in Nigeria,” was part of a research on capability for agricultural extension system to manage the issue of climate change effectively: “We are trying to find out what capabilities are in those systems, to get those things to farmers, expand it, and provide the training that they need to move forward.
“So, part of our programme is to ask the farmers that thing (their needs) they told us is it correct, if it is correct, say it is correct, and give us the level of importance of all the things we find out. After giving us the priority of area of training needs, we identify the area they said that they need training, then we will look for experts in the identified areas to train the farmers, extension agents, researchers, and other stakeholders.”
Madukwe, a lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, commended ATPS for extending the programme to farmers, extension agents, and other stakeholders in Nsukka.
Also speaking, Prof. Joel Nwakaire, ATPS representative and the project coordinator said that ATPS works across Africa with the vision of using science, technology, and innovation as a means for achieving sustainable development in core areas like agriculture, environment, health, and energy, among others.
He listed some of the training needs for farmers, extension agents, and researchers to include; climate change adaptation, pest and disease management, financial literacy and access to climate finance, use of digital tools and ICT, leadership and community mobilization.
Others are crisis and disaster risk management, monitoring, evaluation and data collection, innovation and technology transfer, gender and social inclusion, among others: “These training needs are designed to enhance capability for locally-led climate adaptation and the effective knowledge brokering within the extension system.”
Remarking, Director of Extension Services, Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Angela Okolo, commended ATPS for their support to farmers and extension agents, adding that training on the farmers’ needs would boost their agricultural productivity, and get them acquainted to the modern farming technologies.
Mrs. Calista Asogwa, an extension agent in charge of Nsukka zone, who spoke on behalf of other participants, said that the needs validation programme was a morale booster to extension agents, farmers, and other stakeholders in agricultural businesses in the zone.
She noted that the needs training will help farmers to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in the face of the uncertainty brought about by climate change, as well as key into the modern techniques and technological ways of farming.