The Federal Government has launched the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP), a digital initiative aimed at revolutionizing agricultural extension services in Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, launched the platform at the National Agricultural Extension Research Summit in Abuja, recently.
According to Dr. Abdullahi, NEEP is designed to bridge the gap between research institutions and farmers, providing them with real-time access to vital agricultural information.
The platform is expected to enhance the productivity and livelihoods of farmers, while also mitigating the security risks faced by field agents.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, noted that the adoption of digital technology in agricultural extension services is a significant step towards improving the sector.
Also speaking, the Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service, Dr. Deola Tayo Lordbanjou, emphasized the importance of agricultural extension services in translating research findings into practical solutions for farmers.
The NEEP platform is available in multiple languages, including English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo, making it accessible to farmers with limited formal education.
The platform enables farmers to ask questions and receive real-time answers, while also providing extension agents with a database of agricultural knowledge at their fingertips.
The launch of NEEP is part of the government’s efforts to address the challenges faced by Nigeria’s agricultural extension services, including inconsistent policies, inadequate funding, and limited technological adoption.