By Juliana Agbo, Abuja

The Director of Extension, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Engr. Frank Kudla said the Research Extension Farmers Inputs Linkage System (REFILS), has remained weak, uncoordinated and poorly funded with low participation by the private sector.

The Director made this known in Abuja during a national workshop on Revitalisation of the Nigerian National Agricultural Extension System with the theme: “Improved Strategies for Research Extension Farmers Inputs Linkage System.

Kudla explained that REFILS is the platform that brings both public and private sector together in the technology development, adaptation, dissemination and utilisation process with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all the actors that should be properly coordinated.

He reiterated the need for system to be properly funded to ensure development of useful, relevant and appropriate technologies to meet the needs, opportunities and challenges of all actors on the targeted value chains.

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According to him, “It is through REFILS that the Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) are linked to research institutions on regular basis. It is the channel by which improved technology is sourced and farmers reactions to new technologies are harnessed as feedback to research institutes to enhance appropriate technology development.

“It is imperative to note that the ADPs need to be resuscitated and revitalised for the effective and sustainable agricultural extension services delivery in Nigeria.

Kudla however informed that that the proposed training of 75,000 youth for deployment as extension workers across the country by the ministry to boost extension support to farmer has commenced.

Earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, said the conventional REFILS orientation inherited from the ADP system needs to be thoroughly interrogated and refined in the light of contemporary reality.

Nanono who was represented by Engr. Kudla, added that policies and practices that will limit the dominance of public bureaucracy and drive private sector inclusion are most urgent.