In a bid to revolutionize agricultural extension services and provide real-time solutions to Nigerian farmers, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, has inaugurated the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) Back-End Office in Abuja.
During the inauguration, Dr. Abdullahi emphasized that NEEP will play a crucial role in overcoming existing challenges in extension service delivery. He pointed out that the current extension agent-to-farmer ratio of 1:25,000 is grossly inadequate for effective agricultural development. With the new platform, the government aims to bridge this gap by providing farmers with instant access to essential agricultural information, innovative techniques, and best practices to boost productivity.
The Minister described NEEP as an interactive, cost-effective, and risk-free alternative to traditional extension services, particularly in areas affected by insecurity. He highlighted that the platform will be accessible in multiple languages, including English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo, ensuring that even farmers with limited formal education can benefit.
“Farmers will now be able to ask questions and receive real-time answers, while extension agents will have a comprehensive database of agricultural knowledge at their fingertips,” Dr. Abdullahi stated.
The launch of NEEP aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for national food security. The Minister expressed confidence that the platform will serve as Nigeria’s master online extension agent, empowering farmers with accurate and timely agricultural information to enhance food production and security across the country.
In his remarks, Dr. Deola Tayo Lordbanjou, Director of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service, underscored the critical role of extension services in translating research findings and technological advancements into practical solutions for farmers. He stressed that agricultural research can only yield meaningful results when effectively disseminated through a well-structured extension service system.
The event was marked by the official unveiling of the NEEP Back-End Office, a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to modernize and digitalize agricultural extension services for improved food production and national development.
