Agricultural experts have called on African governments to reform agricultural policies, improve extension services as a key role player in the transformation of agricultural practices in the continent.
They made the call on Friday during the Rwandan Agricultural show, from June 12 to 20 in Kigali, under the theme, “Invest in Agricultural Innovations for Prosperity.”
Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director of the forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) said that extension should involve facilitation of innovation processes.
He said government should bring together diverse stakeholders who can make the difference in terms of decision making in different domains in order to increase agriculture production.
Akinbamijo pointed out that the 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,” he said.
Akimbamijo noted that agricultural extension has long been seen as a key element for enabling farmers to obtain information and technologies that can improve their livelihoods.
He added that extension services were also recognised as an important factor in promoting agricultural development.
Tony Nsanganira, Rwanda Minister in charge of Agriculture, said that investments in extension services are considered as potentially important tools for improving agricultural productivity and increasing farmers’ incomes.
He said the country has implemented various agricultural extension programs to improve agricultural production and productivity, farm income and rural livelihoods.
“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,” he said.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) noted that presently in Africa hunger and poverty are most widespread.
It said the continent have recorded declining rates of agricultural extension services and investments over the past three decades.
FAO said an estimated 240 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are food insecure.
Abdenego Kiwia, Program Coordinator, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), said that instead of considering the extension service as a public good, Africa should now consider the extension services as a public-private partnership.
He said this could be achieved by inviting more private companies to join with the public sector for strengthening the extension services.
Kiwia noted that 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 per cent over the next 15 years to feed a growing population,’’ he said.
He disclosed that the World Bank data indicated that Africa’s food and beverage markets are expected to reach 1 trillion dollars in value by 2030.
The event has brought together more than 200 local and International agriculture exhibitors to showcase their innovations and best practices in the agriculture sector. (Xinhua/NAN)