Kayode ShopekanNIGERIA’S Federal government has launched the first ever Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) radio and television studio at the Council’s headquarters in Abuja.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, said aside from launching the first ever agricultural radio and television in Nigeria, a museum and electronic library for the Council was also launched.
Abubakar during the inauguration said the use of the facility is expected to strengthen research collaborations as well as provide a platform for timely dissemination of agricultural information and showcasing of agricultural interventions in the country.
“The official inauguration of this world class facility comprise of a digital museum and documentation centre for referencing agricultural research information and knowledge, an electronic library, which will aid research by providing greater access to recent advances in agricultural sciences; and television and radio stations,” the minister said.
“It will also link millions of Nigerians to firsthand agricultural information.
“The use of these facilities is expected to strengthen research collaborations as well as provide a platform for timely dissemination of agricultural information and showcasing of agricultural interventions in the country, ”the Minister added.
The minister disclosed that all Research Institutes and Adopted Villages in the country have been directed to activate all Adopted Villages and Outreach Centres in order to drive the Ministry towards strengthening the extension system in the country.
“All our Research Institutes and Colleges have been demanded to activate all the Adopted Villages and Outreach Centres across the country.
“The Adopted Villages are formidable tools for the dissemination of technologies to agrarian communities and support the drive of the Ministry towards a strengthened extension service delivery in Nigeria.
“Accordingly, we will be distributing extension teaching materials to 11 Research Institutes and Colleges as part of the ongoing efforts of the Council to strengthen the Adopted Villages and Outreach Centres”, he added.
Explaining the reason for the establishment of the agricultural radio and television studio, the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Professor Garba Sharubutu said the Council needed enough airtime to be able to reach out to farmers across the country.
“Before now, the agricultural research system has relied on either national radio or the commercial radio stations. Most of these radio stations are self sustaining and because of this, they have to seek funding.
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