CCARDESA Shares Experiences at the 6th Africa Agriculture Extension Week

Abuja, Nigeria – The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development in Southern Africa (CCARDESA) is actively participating in the 6th Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW), which commenced on the 5th of November and will continue through the 10th of November 2023, in Abuja, Nigeria.

This prestigious event, now in its sixth iteration, is hosting over a thousand participants from all corners of Africa and beyond. The week-long conference is dedicated to discussions on strategic matters pertaining to agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS), These issues are crucial for the utilization of knowledge, technology, and innovation in agricultural value chains to accomplish individual and national development goals.

The AAEW, which aligns with the African Union Commission’s Agenda 2063 vision for a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Africa, provides an unparalleled platform for professionals to share insights, interact with policymakers and investors, and forge strategic partnerships. This year's theme, “Harnessing Agricultural Extension & Advisory Services in Scaling Regenerative Agriculture and Nature Based Solutions for Food System Transformation in Africa,” has drawn global attention and development interests.

The event was officially opened by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Nigeria's Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security on behalf of the Nigeria President, who highlighted the critical role of agriculture in economic transformation and the fight against hunger. He outlined Nigeria’s initiatives, such as the AgriPocket program, which supports farmers with essential resources while also investing in green energy for agricultural empowerment.

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Senator Abdullahi called for a concerted effort to maximize resources and equip a new generation of farmers and extension officers skilled in contemporary technologies. He stressed the importance of demand-driven agricultural research that impacts real-world farming, beyond academic endeavors. “Agricultural extension must be recognized as an investment service, signifying our commitment to treating farming as a legitimate and profitable business” He stated.

The Minister bemoaned the unfortunate state of affairs where research institutes have too often confined their findings to the shelves. It is time to endorse demand-driven agricultural research that transcends the quest for academic publishing, targeting tangible outcomes for our farmers, he echoed.

In a landmark move, the Minister on behalf of the Nigeria Head of State unveiled the Agricultural Extension Policy, designed to facilitate technological advancements in farming and ensure that such developments reach farmers effectively.

In a parallel session, the African Forum for Agricultural and Advisory Services (AFAAS) General Assembly saw Prof. Cliff Dlamini delivering a stirring goodwill message, advocating for a shift in approach to agricultural extension services in response to challenges like climate change and population growth. “These challenges are pressing, and they threaten Africa's food security. We must adapt and innovate to secure our future and work together for a sustainable and food-secure Africa” Prof. Dlamini concluded

Prof. Cliff Dlamini 

Representing CCARDESA were Dr. Baitsi Podisi, the CAADP-XP4 Coordinator; Ms. Futhi Magagula, the Programme Officer; and Mrs. Bridget Kakuwa-Kasongamulilo, the ICKM Officer, reflecting the organization’s commitment to these crucial developmental discussions. The officers participated in deliberations to share CCARDESA experiences with the stakeholders at this continental conference.

CCARDESA's participation at this event is supported through the European Union-funded CAADP-XP4 which is financed through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The CAADP-XP4 Programme is a consortium of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFFAS), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa(ASARECA), West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), and Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). 

 As the week progresses, the conference is expected to continue fostering dynamic conversations and initiatives aimed at enhancing the dissemination of agricultural technologies and innovations needed for a sustainable agriculture sector in Africa