Africa experts call for improved agric. extension services

African governments need to reform agricultural policies, improve extension services as a key role player in the transformation of agricultural practices in the continent, experts said Friday during Agriculture show in the Rwanda, Capital Kigali.

The Kigali Agricultural show from June 12 to 20 at Mulindi Showground, Gasabo District in Kigali city, is held under the theme: "Invest in Agricultural Innovations for Prosperity."

The event has brought together more than 200 local and International agriculture exhibitors to showcase their innovations and best practices in the agriculture sector.

"Extension should involve facilitation of innovation processes, bringing together diverse stakeholders who can make the difference in terms of decision making in different domains in order to increase agriculture production," said Yemi Akimbamijo, executive director of the forum for agricultural research in Africa (FARA).

He pointed out that agriculture extension services in Africa need to be improved in order to facilitate better and sustainable agricultural practices among farmers across the continent.

"Farmers knowledge with regards to improved farming methods is limited which has resulted into low crop yields. The challenge is how to deliver a policy of agricultural extension that is connected with the contemporary concepts of development and sustainability," Akimbamijo added.

Agricultural extension has long been seen as a key element for enabling farmers to obtain information and technologies that can improve their livelihoods and is recognized as an important factor in promoting agricultural development.

According to Tony Nsanganira, Rwanda state minister in charge of agriculture, investments in extension services are considered as potentially important tools for improving agricultural productivity and increasing farmers' incomes.

"In Rwanda we have been implementing various agricultural extension programs to improve agricultural production and productivity, farm income and rural livelihoods," he said.

"We need innovative ways so that the extension officer is equipped to deal with agriculture emerging issues. We need continuous capacity building at various levels, farmers, policymakers, extension officers and their trainers."

Presently in Africa where hunger and poverty are most widespread have recorded declining rates of agricultural extension services and investments over the past three decades.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says an estimated 240 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are food insecure.

"Instead of considering the extension service as a public good, Africa should now consider the extension services as a public-private partnership, inviting more private companies to join with the public sector for strengthening the extension services," said Abdenego Kiwia, program coordinator at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

A vibrant, sustainable and resilient agriculture sector is vital for sub-Saharan Africa's economic future. Farming is the primary source of food and income for Africans and provides up to 60 percent of all jobs on the continent.

Food production in sub-Saharan Africa needs to increase by 60 percent over the next 15 years to feed a growing population. Africa's food and beverage markets are expected to reach 1 trillion U.S. dollars in value by 2030, according to the World Bank. Endit