By Hadiza Isyaku Abdulsalam
In a bid to boost agricultural innovation, research, and rural transformation in Nigeria, the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) has commenced a four-day seminar on National Agricultural Extension Review and Planning Meeting 2025 at the Institute Conference Hall in Samaru, Zaria.
The meeting, which invites all 17 National Agricultural Research Institutes and the 36 State Agricultural Development Programs (ADPs) plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), aims to review 2025 agricultural extension activities and harmonize 2026 activities to prevent clashes across Nigeria’s agro-ecological zones.
The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, represented by his Deputy Academic, Professor Raymond Bako, stated that ABU Zaria is ready to support NAERLS in driving agricultural innovation, research, and rural transformation in the country.
Professor Bako also emphasized the need for digital transformation to bridge gaps and connect every farmer to knowledge, markets, and opportunities, fostering gender equity and inclusive development. He further noted that sustainable agricultural growth is crucial and cannot be achieved when half of the population is left behind due to flawed systems.
Speaking during the event, the Country Director of SASSAKAWA Africa Association in Nigeria, Dr. Goodwin Atrer, said that Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava among African countries.
He urged the Federal Government to provide more funds to Ahmadu Bello University to enable it to conduct more research on agriculture for food security in the nation.
Earlier, the Executive Director of NAERLS, Professor Yusuf Ahmad Sani, explained that agriculture today faces unprecedented pressures, such as climate change, increased pest outbreaks, fall armyworm, and unpredictable rainfall patterns.
In his remarks, Professor Yusuf Ahmad Sani stated that NAERLS has strengthened its climate-smart extension models to tackle these problems by sensitizing farmers and advising them on adopting modern technology in farming activities.