Exclusive Interview:
Funding, Manpower Hindering Extension Services in Taraba — TADP Official
From Hilary John
The Head of Agricultural Extension Services at the Taraba Agricultural Development Programme (TADP), Mrs. Robia Yoila, says inadequate funding, shortage of personnel, and poor logistics are limiting effective agricultural extension services in Taraba State.
Mrs Robia Yoila
In an exclusive interview with Echo Express, Mrs. Yoila described extension workers as vital to improving farming practices across the state. “Extension agents are the link between the farmers and our headquarters. They take farmers’ problems to the agency and return with solutions and new technologies,” she said.
She explained that the department regularly trains extension agents, who in turn step down the knowledge to lead farmers and farmer groups. Their activities include demonstrations on proper fertilizer application, improved agronomic practices, and guidance on climate-smart farming techniques. The agency also links farmers to financial institutions to access credit facilities.
Mrs. Yoila said the Women in Agriculture (WIA) programme equips women with skills in nutrition, hygiene, food preservation, storage, processing, and value addition to improve household income and food security.
Despite these efforts, she said the department faces serious operational challenges. “We lack motorcycles and vehicles for mobility. We do not have enough modern tools like tablets and smartphones, and our manpower is too small to cover the large number of farmers in the state,” she stated.
According to her, the department is expected to organize five to six farmers’ workshops annually, but funding constraints often reduce the number to two. She also cited farmers’ reluctance to adopt modern methods and insecurity in some rural communities as additional obstacles to effective service delivery.
Mrs. Yoila disclosed that TADP, a parastatal under the Taraba State Ministry of Agriculture, has forwarded its concerns to the state government for consideration. She commended organizations such as Prosel and SHEP for providing vehicles and tablets to support extension activities, but stressed that more assistance is needed to meet growing demands.
She further revealed that the agency has partnered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to train farmers on the safe and proper use of agricultural chemicals. “Farmers must apply the right quantity and observe the recommended withdrawal period before taking produce to the market,” she advised.
Encouraging young people to venture into agriculture, Mrs. Yoila described farming as a profitable enterprise when supported with proper knowledge, planning, market research, and value addition. “Agriculture is business. When you plan well and understand your market, you will succeed,” she said.
