FG projects $300bn agriculture contribution to Tinubu’s $1trn economy target
ABUJA – A new initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity was launched Wednesday in Abuja, with the introduction of the Grassroots Digital Extension Corps (GDEC). This program seeks to improve farmers’ access to agricultural knowledge and strengthen connections between research institutions and farming communities.
The GDEC initiative has trained 1,884 personnel, including 1,110 agricultural extension agents and 774 food security specialists, across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
During the launch, the Minister of Agriculture, Abdullahi, expressed concern that despite agriculture’s crucial role in employment and economic activities, it generates only about $1 billion in foreign exchange annually. He argued that enhancing production, processing, and export capabilities could significantly boost the sector’s revenue. Abdullahi noted that agriculture could contribute as much as 30 percent to President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, translating to approximately $300 billion.
To reach this goal, he emphasized the need for a knowledge-based agricultural system supported by skilled personnel and efficient extension services. Abdullahi pointed out the substantial productivity gap between Nigeria and other African nations, highlighting that Nigerian farmers struggle for access to modern farming techniques and practical agricultural information.
Current crop yields in Nigeria average between 1.3 and 1.5 tonnes per hectare, while Egypt achieves approximately 11 tonnes per hectare under irrigation. In cassava production, Nigeria retains its status as the world’s largest producer, with an annual output of about 63 million metric tonnes. However, average yields in Nigeria remain at six to seven tonnes per hectare, which is considerably lower than the country’s production potential.
Abdullahi explained that effective extension services could help farmers increase output while reducing production costs. He also stressed the importance of market-centric agricultural advice, stating, “If your extension services and advice to me is not market-centric, you are just deceiving the farmer. You are wasting his time and discouraging him.”
To further enhance the program, Abdullahi proposed that GDEC be integrated with the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) to avoid duplicated efforts and ensure coherent information dissemination. He suggested forming a ministerial-level committee to coordinate existing agricultural extension initiatives and urged the National Assembly to reconsider the proposed Agricultural Extension Bill to bolster extension services nationwide.
Mohammed Ibrahim, the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), noted that GDEC was developed in collaboration with the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension and other stakeholders to bridge the gap between agricultural research and grassroots implementation. He outlined the initiative’s three major pillars: people, tools, and data, and emphasized the importance of collecting reliable information directly from farming communities to create effective agricultural policies.
Dr. Taiye Tehinse, Director of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension, added that digital solutions, such as FarmEasy, would enhance traditional extension methods by improving communication, data collection, and agricultural decision-making. He underscored the necessity for trained personnel to combine digital knowledge with practical agricultural expertise to provide meaningful advisory services to farmers. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of ensuring representation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in digital agricultural programs.
