South East NISS Zonal Coordinator, Prof Charles Asadu, has flagged off a training workshop for farmers in Nsukka, Enugu State on an agriculture mobile application. Known as NISSAGRO mobile application, it can be downloaded from Google Play Store.
NISS is an agency under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Its mandate is to regulate the profession of soil science in Nigeria as well as providing a scientific basis for enhancing and sustaining productivity of soil resources with minimal environmental degradation especially with regard to food production in the country.
He stressed that the app will help guide farmers, extension agents and other stakeholders in soil and agricultural industry on the best ways to improve soil and food production. “The development of the app by NISS is in accordance with the mandate of the Institute in regulating the profession in Nigeria.
The ultimate purpose is to promote sustainable agricultural production systems that will not degrade the soil while ensuring high and sustainable food production to stem food scarcity.
“NISS primary purpose of the app is to promote registered soil scientists’ service and engage farmers, extension workers, researchers, agro-dealers and other stakeholders on good agricultural practices, fertilizer recommendation and technology needed for improving soil and food production in each locality in Nigeria.
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“Any person or group who is interested in the information/data needed to improve our soils, increased and sustainable agricultural production will benefit from the mobile app,” he said. Earlier, Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN) commanded the organisers of the workshop for training members as well as providing farmers with knowledge, service and tools that will help them improve productivity.
Igwe, a former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, UNN, expressed happiness that NISS had mandated itself to ensuring that farmers, extension workers and other stakeholders in soil science and agriculture were equipped with modern technology in helping farmers to boost agriculture.
“I commend Prof Adadu, the NISS coordinator in South East who in spite of the ongoing nationwide strike in public universities has continued to train and re-train farmers and extension workers on how to ensure adequate productivity in agriculture,” he said.
Mr Augustine Agbakoba, the resource person from NISS headquarters, Abuja, said that the application was created to help farmers have adequate knowledge of soil and its functions by providing knowledge, service and tools that will enhance productivity.
