The Nigeria Agro-Input Dealers Association (NAIDA) has restated its commitment to continue providing free extension services to local farmers nationwide.Mr Isiaka Ayoola, Executive Secretary, NAIDA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that the association was ready to continually educate and sensitise farmers at no extra cost.
Ayoola said that this had become necessary, following the dearth of extension officers in the country.
According to him, agro-dealers are most times in contact with all the farmers and regulators of agro-input products.
“We are all out to give extension services to local farmers and to sensitise them on the dangers of these agrochemicals.
“As far as the market is concerned, all our agro-dealers are well informed of both genuine and fake agrochemical products and can educate the farmers about them.
“That is the reason why every agro-dealer that is registered with NAIDA definitely knows the right produce for the farmers.
“We should not depend on the government alone for extension services to farmers. We give them free extension service because it enhances our own business too.
“If we give them good and relevant information, they will come back and patronise us more,” the NAIDA scribe told NAN.
Ayoola said that, in addition, the association kept abreast of happenings in the sector and was up-to-date with trends.
“We also sensitise local farmers who subscribe to us on current happenings and innovations in the agro-sector.
“Government extension services is not enough, even for the few that are available, they cannot reach out to all the farmers adequately.
“So, we are all out to complement government’s efforts in the provision of extension services to farmers at no extra cost.
“Recently, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) banned some agrochemicals that they do not want farmers to use anymore.
“As agro-dealers cum voluntary extension officers to farmers, we engaged NAFDAC at stakeholders meetings on how to discourage the continuous use of such products.
“But the major problem we face, is that most neighbouring countries to Nigeria have not banned many of these products and there is a likelihood they will find their way back into the country,” Ayoola said. (NAN)
