The United States Agency for International Development, in collaboration with Winrock International, in Abuja, has launched “Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Extension & Advisory Services.” The five-year programme will benefit two million small-holder farmers in seven states covering five major crops.

The programme is part of the USAID Feed the Future Nigeria programme and will be implemented by the Winrock International, a major global solution provider in agriculture and other areas. The benefiting states are Benue, Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Cross River, Delta and Ebonyi; while the five crops are soybeans, maize, rice, cowpea and the aquaculture value chain.

Sabo Nanono, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Nigeria’s major priority was to produce more food that would meet its local demand. He said the private sector-led extension delivery system would be important in linking farmers with research institutes. Patrick McBride, Senior Program Associate, Winrock International, and Joy Deb Roy of the USAID Nigeria, said the programme would facilitate modern learning and innovations in the extension delivery services for the two million target farmers in the seven states. Daily Trust