WOFAN ICON2 begins training of 500 extension workers on use of ICT ,digital mapping

By solacebase.com On Apr 22, 2023

WOFAN, ICON2, training, extension workers, ICT ,digital mapping — WOFAN ICON2 begins training of 500 extension workers on use of ICT ,digital mapping

By Baba Aminu

Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) has commenced training of 80 out of 500 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) on the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to improve efficiency in farming activities and enhance production and productivity.

SOLACEBASE reports that the training introduced the AEWs to the use of digital devices such as moisture meters and GPS devices to improve production, productivity and efficiency.

The training also included use of digital applications such as Survey 123, RiceAdvice and Plantix for farm measurement, fertilizer use advice and disease and pest management.Speaking during the training of the first set of 80 EWs in Abuja, the Country Director of the WOFAN ICON2 Project, Hajia Salamatu Garba explained that the use of ICT and digital applications will simplify many farm activities, improve output significantly and also add value to farm produce.

She said, “The use of moisture meters will not only simplify getting the right moisture content for proper storage, it will also help farmers get good prices from major marketers who are looking for specific moisture content in all produce they want to buy.”

After the training, one of the EWs, expressed delight with the content of the training. She said she was especially happy that she can use Plantix to detect disease and pest in all crops without stress.

“I can now use my phone to detect what is wrong with crops on the field. I just need to take a picture of the affected plant with the App and Plantix will tell me what is wrong with the plant and suggest biological and chemical treatments for the disease. So, I can provide quick responses to farmers’ needs using the application,” she enthused.

80 of the targeted 500 EWs were trained in Abuja. Other EWs will be trained across the 10 Project states.

In addition to the training, all the AEWs will get android phones on which they will install Survey 123, RiceAdvice and Plantix applications as well as GPS devices and Moisture Meters.

The WOFAN ICON2 Project is a 5-year project being implemented in nine states of Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).