Nigerian Government sets to strengthen agriculture with ICT
The Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has disclosed that it will strengthen the capacity of directors in the ministry on the effective use of Information and Communication Technology.
It added that this will enable the ministry to collect and share timely and accurate information on weather, inputs, markets, and prices across the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Mohammed Bello Umar, disclosed this at a 3-Day Capacity Building on the ‘Use of ICT in Government Business for Directorate Grade Officers.
While explaining that the government has recognized the importance of ICT in driving sustainable agriculture revolution, Dr. Umar stressed that the administration would do everything to train all the staff of the ministry to achieve the gold of the federal government’s Green Alternative program.
Also Speaking on Information & Communication Technology in Agriculture a renowned Professor in ICT, Mohammed Baba Hammawa, said the effects of climate change were already impacting agriculture, thereby making the challenge of achieving food security and improving nutrition increasingly difficult
He pointed out that to curb such challenges, information is key to preparedness for farmers, which could mean a difference between a successful or failed harvest.
Quoting him:
“Collecting and sharing timely and accurate information on weather, inputs, markets, and prices; by feeding information into research and development initiatives; by disseminating knowledge to farmers; by connecting producers and consumers.
