ARCN Urges Media to Take Active Role in Educating Farmers

The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Professor Garba Sharubutu, has encouraged media professionals to go beyond traditional reporting and take on a more proactive role in educating farmers about government agricultural initiatives.

Photo credit: Daily Trust

Speaking at a sensitization event for media and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Abuja, Sharubutu underscored the need for a stronger collaborative framework between researchers, journalists, CSOs, and farmers. He highlighted the importance of the newly launched National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) and the ARCN’s commitment to advancing the government's agricultural development agenda.

According to him, the council plays a pivotal role in implementing critical programs such as NEEP, the National Agricultural Development Fund, and the Renewed Hope Agricultural Technology Adoption Programme (RHATAP). These initiatives are designed to boost food security and enhance the agricultural sector in Nigeria.

Sharubutu emphasized that journalists and CSOs have a crucial responsibility in ensuring farmers receive accurate and timely information about best agricultural practices, seed varieties, fertilizers, and other essential farm inputs. He stressed that while platforms like NEEP provide valuable agricultural insights, it is the media’s duty to ensure that farmers across communities receive and apply this knowledge effectively.

“This is why collaboration between journalists, NGOs, and farmers is essential,” he stated, adding that well-informed farmers are more likely to increase productivity and contribute to national food security.

He also addressed the evolution of agricultural extension services, stating that as technology continues to advance, modern farming techniques must be effectively communicated to farmers. To bridge this gap, ARCN has introduced new strategies to connect research findings with farmers in need of innovation.

One of these innovations includes the Agricultural Research Museum, a one-stop center for showcasing and commercializing discoveries from the National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and the Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs).

Sharubutu concluded by calling for continued collaboration among all stakeholders to drive progress in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, ensuring that farmers have access to the resources and knowledge needed to improve their livelihoods and support national food security.