Four state-based public extension agencies in Nigeria have signed separate memorandum of understandings with the Cassava Weed Management Project—a project that is being managed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA-CWMP). The MoUs unite all the key partners in the battle against weeds in cassava farming systems. A similar MoU had been signed with the Standards Organization of Nigeria.
The
public extension agencies involved in the signing of the MoU are: Abia State
Agricultural Development Program (Abia ADP), Benue Agricultural and Rural
Development Authority (BNARDA), Ogun State Agricultural Development Program
(OGADEP), and Oyo State Agricultural Development Program (OYSADEP). The
signing of the MoUs is part of preliminary extension activities aimed at
effective and efficient technology and knowledge transfer.
“The MoUs
formally bring on board the extension agencies that are critical stakeholders
to the project,” says Dr Alfred Dixon, Project Leader for the IITA Cassava Weed
Management Project, in Ibadan today.
Signing
separately on behalf of the four extension agencies were the Program Managers
of Abia ADP, Sir Enyinnaya Elekwachi; BNARDA, James Ker; OGADEP, Ibikunle
Onasanya; and OYSADEP, Victor Atilola.
“We are
glad to be involved in this project and we will do our best to ensure that it
succeeds,” said Mr Atilola.
For Sir
Elekwachi the signing opens a new window of collaboration. “With this
arrangement, our results will readily get to farmers and create impact,” he
said.
Yet for Mr Ker, the MoU is about partnership for
impact.
“No one
institution can do everything. We need to work together to serve the interest
of the people,” Mr Ker added.
Under the MoU, the extension agencies in collaboration
with IITA and implementing partner institutions across the states will conduct
trainings on improved weed management practices in cassava farming systems, conduct
method and results demonstrations and establish link between weed management
research team and farmers and other stakeholders (community leaders, opinion
leaders.
They will further dsseminate findings on improved weed management
practices to farmers and other stakeholders, participate in surveys, data
collection, and field days as may be required from time to time, and participate
in studies that shall provide better understanding of constraints and available
knowledge on weed management and,
They will also participate in IITA Cassava Weed Management Project’s
annual work review and planning meetings.
Godwin Atser, Project’s Communication & Knowledge
Exchange Expert, said the signing of the MoUs was a step in the right direction.
“Extension agencies are critical partners in this project and we are happy all
of them are excited to bring their expertise to the project so that we create
impact at the farm level,” Atser said.
The MoUs
were facilitated by the IITA-CWMP team and the IITA Project Administration
Office.Established in the early 19 80s, the extension agencies also
known as Agricultural Development Programs (ADPs) seek to among others: promote
increased agricultural production; raise the income and standard of living of
farmers; focus on agricultural potentials in effectively utilizing intensive
programs of on-farm adaptive research; develop effective unified training and
visit agricultural extension system; establish and operate a workable input
procurement and distribution system capable of serving farmers at the right
time, and provide rural infrastructure for sustainable development.
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