By Abdallah el-Kurebe
Towards the successful take-off of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Rice Farmers of Nigeria (CBN/RIFAN) Anchor Borrowers programme, the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has commenced the training of extension agents on the use of data capture device for farmers.
Opening the training session in Sokoto on Friday, the National President of RIFAN, Alhaji Aminu Goronyo told the extension agents that the training was important in view of the need for comprehensive data of rice farmers that were interested in the programme.
“For this programme, which is the first of its kind, being a Public Private Partnership (PPP), we must get it right. We must employ best practices by capturing the data of all farmers that applied to get enrolled in this programme. And, to get the data capturing done accurately, you need to get trained on the use of this device. To get trained effectively also, you need to be attentive and dedicated to learn,” he stressed.
He also encouraged the agents to also engage in rice farming in order to benefit from the numerous government programmes on agriculture.
“Aside from being extension agents, I strongly encourage you to engage in farming because, as youths, you stand better chance of replacing our ageing farmers, especially now that farming has become attractive and less tedious,” Goronyo further said.
The trainer, Sheriff Hassan said that forty agents would be trained to capture farmers’ personal details including fingerprint, bank account details, details of next of kin, permanent address, etc.
“Details of farms will also be captured as to farm location, farm coordinates, etc,” he said.
