Mr Adewole Fatokun is Manager, Technical and Regulatory, Agricultural Solutions of BSF West Africa. He said, Kaduna State, on inevitability of extension services to food security and other industry issues during a workshop on prevention of grain contamination recently.
In Nigeria, maize production records a deficit of 4 million metric
tonnes, but with the closure of some land borders and the forex restriction
policy on the importation of food and raw materials, how do we close the gap?
We observe and teach good agricultural practices and the use of pesticides when
required. I have noticed in my 30 years in the agricultural sector that output
in Nigeria is very low. For maize yield, it is the function of rainfalls and
the function of plant population and the variety. There is a maximum capacity
each plant can take. If an optimal plant population is not maintained, a less
yield will be recorded.
How many stands of maize should be cultivated in a farmland?
Ideally, it should be no fewer than 50,000 stands per hectare. Also, there is
the need for weed control because maize is known to be very unsuccessful with
weed competition, especially in the first to the third weeks of its
germination.
Also the rise of diseases should be a major concern with the infestation of the Fall Army Worm which can reduce the produce to zero. This largely depends on the age and level at which the infestation comes. Hence, the need to preach good agricultural practices such as land preparation and planting the right seeds.
BASF has developed a solution against Fall Army Worms. Has it been
proven effective and reliable by farmers for the protection of their maize?
The product is not only efficient but also reliable. It is also very good for
resistance management as part of its composites are two active ingredients,
such that when the infestation is noticed, the product is preferably sprayed
and left till after two weeks if need arises for a second application.
Given that extension services will encourage good agricultural
practices among farmers which will bring about good yields, how will you
evaluate the state of extension services in Nigeria?
Now, funds are no longer at their disposal, unlike before. No one is ready to
pay the extension service agents. They only solicit volunteers to help educate
the farmers. If we must revolutionise agriculture and get rid of food
contamination and insecurity, then important measures should be put in place.
What can be the done to improve the situation?
The government should fund and reform the agricultural extension services so as
to encourage innovations like agricultural technologies that will be explained
to the farmers as well as monitoring, evaluation and reevaluation.
Should the closure of the borders be seen as a stimulant to
agricultural revolution in Nigeria?
I can attest that the policy will stimulate and force growth in the
agricultural sector. In the early 80s, Nigeria allowed the importation of
maize, there was an increase in the tariff owing to the ban on poultry products
and poultry feeds, this stimulated maize production. This skyrocketed the
production from less than 2.0 tonnes per hectare to about 3.5 or 4.0 tonnes per
hectare.
