Farmers call for re-introduction of Agric extension officers

Cross-section of farmers in Ekiti on Sunday called on government at all levels to re-introduce the practice of attaching an Agric-Extention-Officer to farmers.

Some of the farmers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti said this would go a long way in complementing President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration's effort at promoting food surplus for the nation.

The Chairman, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Ekiti chapter, Mrs Funmi Ogunlola told NAN that the old practice would help boost productivity in the country.

``Some of our farmers do not know the exact quantity and time to apply herbicides and other farm inputs. Attaching such officer to the farmers will guide them.

``This will in turn increase productivity and end in bumper harvest for the farmers, ‘’Ogunlola said.

Similarly, Mr Abiodun Ojo, a farmer in Ifaki-Ekiti, Ido-Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti, said the importance of the extension officers cannot be over emphasised.

`` In the olden days, extension officers were usually attached to group of farmers. They are provided with motorcycles so as to ease access to difficult areas in the farm lands.

``The practice was productive, so governments should reintroduce it to boost agricultural supply since our dependant on oil revenue is no longer reliable," he said.

Another farmer, Mr Rufus Adewale, who lauded efforts of state and federal governments at encouraging Nigerians to go back to farming, urged the governments to help the farmers with soft loans.