ACAI digital extension & advisory specialist joins Oyo team to mitigate the impact of COVID-19

The Digital Extension & Advisory Services Specialist, Godwin Atser has been appointed by the Oyo State government as a member of the Oyo State COVID-19 Food Security Emergency Task Force. This follows the nomination of Godwin by IITA.

In this role, Godwin is among the team saddled with the responsibility of developing a strategy for food security, bearing in mind the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The team is also saddled with the responsibility of designing an emergency food supply and distribution chain and developing a strategic implementation plan.

This role provides an opportunity for IITA-ACAI to support the state but also to scale out its innovations in cassava to the extension system of the Oyo state government.

With a vast arable land, Oyo state is among the top producers of cassava in Nigeria. Farmers in the state usually intercrop cassava with maize. The cassava crop provides a source of cash and livelihoods for the people.

In recent times, the state has begun reforms in agriculture to attract private capital, increase yields and better the livelihoods of farmers. ACAI tools are well-positioned to support the state in achieving its goals.

For instance, the Six Steps to Cassava Weed Management & Best Planting Practices tool can support farmers in weed control, same goals for the fertilizer recommendation tool which helps farmers to make wise investment decisions on fertilizer. Other tools are the Schedule Planting and Cassava Maize intercropping tool. All these tools have been bundled into AKILIMO—an advisory tool to support cassava farmers.