By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Professor Ibrahim Garba has commissioned three Agricultural Research and Extension Outreach Centres for the adopted villages they are Guga, Kufena and Basawa.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at Maraban Guga in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Professor Ibrahim Garba advised farmers’ club and societies to make the use of the centres as an avenue to be educated on the new modern agricultural farming.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Amans Ezra Bako, he said many people are lazy because they consider agricultural activities as a non-profit and a waste of energy and resources.
He charged farmers to take farming as important as their lives because no one can survive without food as well no nation can develop without good agricultural development.
The Vice Chancellor assured the NAERLS of his administrative support in ensuring that all the centres were functional with all the needed facilities.
According to him, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is proud with its agricultural complex particularly the NAERLS because of the success recorded by the complex.
Professor Ibrahim Garba advised farmers to make use of the centres for their meetings, brainstorming and promoting their activities for the benefit of their societies.
In his address, the Director, National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Professional Muhammad Khalid Othman said, the aim of the outreach centres is to encourage farmers not to depend on government to sponsor their project.
Professor Othman said, all the three centres have been connected with helpline to enable farmers make enquiries and clarification on any problem they may encounter at their farms.
According to him, before now there are many extension workers but presently there is shortage of these professionals which is very dangerous to the growth and development of agriculture in the country.
He said, the project is jointly executed by NAERLS, WAAPP Nigeria and the farmers’ societies and called on other farmers’ group to emulate the commissioned centres by doing it on their own.
Speaking on behalf of the benefiting villages, Malam Auwal Yunusa of Guga Farmers’ Cooperative Society said, NAERLS have encouraged them and now they become what they are in the world of farming.
He said with this development, the society will very soon invite all the dignitaries back to Guga for the commissioning of their industry.
Malam Auwal Yunusa expressed appreciation to the entire staff of NAERLS for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the outreach centres have become a reality.
