The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Prof.
Felix Salako
Abeokuta , has supported the calls for the
diversification of the nation’s economy through agriculture.
Prof. Salako expressed the support in a
statement signed by Dr Linda Onwuka, Head of Directorate of Public
Relations of the university, which was given on Wednesday in Lagos.
The statement said that Prof. Salako spoke at
the opening of the facilitation and communication skills training
programme for agricultural extension agents on the university campus.
“The young people I see here today are
the new generation of extension officers; they will be catalysts in
efforts to push the nation forward, using agriculture as an alternative
to crude oil export.
“It is dawning on everybody that we are
running into trouble with oil. What may even make oil more useless is
the fact that people are already thinking of alternative sources of
energy, even for running cars.
“So, this training could not have come at a better time than now,” the statement quoted Salako as saying.
It said that the vice-chancellor
expressed the readiness of the university to collaborate with other
bodies to strengthen the skills of agricultural workers, particularly
extension services agents.
“We are ready to strengthen the skills
of extension agents, using participatory and adult-learning methodology,
to enhance timely and sustained supply of cassava root by small and
medium scale farmers.
“We are confident that the completion of
the course will make the participants better and help in building their
capacity to facilitate effective facilitation and communication with
farmers.
“As extension officers, you need to step
up your roles in contributing to the development of our nation. You
need to develop good relationship with farmers and subsequently use
these skills to connect yourself.
“One thing that has come to the fore
these days is that farmers do not trust agriculturists anymore. You must
be ready to convince the farmer to even listen to you.
“So, you need a lot of efforts to be able to convince farmers about innovations,’’ Salako was quoted as saying.
The statement also claimed that Prof. Salako stressed
that the training was apt, while the approach to engage both extension
agents of the state ADPs and procurement executives of
cassava-processing factories would definitely achieve the desired
results.
Also, Prof. Lateef Sanni, the Country
Manager of Cassava: Adding Value for Africa II (CAVA II), said in the
statement that the inconsistency in the supply of raw materials was a
major and critical factor affecting the survival of large scale
industries.
Sanni, who is also the Deputy
Vice-Chancellor (Development) Designate of FUNAAB, reportedly said that
sourcing cassava raw materials required a lot of effort.
“We are aware that you have different
locations where you source for raw materials but at present, there are
some issues we have itemised in the last two years.
“The major problem is that the farmers
themselves have informed us that some of the extension officers or
procurement officers are delaying their payments.
“This is attitudinal and that’s why we
decided to bring in a consultant that will interact with you on
facilitation, communication and sustainable engagements,’’ the statement
quoted Sanni as saying.
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