Over the period spanning 11-25 June 2019, Dr Hiroyuki Takeshima, Senior Research Fellow with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), delivered four research seminars to an overall audience of 253 representatives from government and academic circles (198 male, 55 female) in four states of Nigeria: Cross River (11 June), Ebonyi (17 June), Delta (20 June) and Kebbi (25 June). The research seminars, entitled “Recent Research Findings on Seed Varieties, Irrigation, and Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria” presented policy-relevant findings from studies carried out on the Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project involving researchers from IFPRI, the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and the University of Ibadan between 2016 and 2018. Research seminar delivered in Calabar, Cross River State (c)
Tunji Fasoranti, making a presentation to participants during the Group Dynamics training organized for farmer groups in Kaduna State (c) 2019 IFPRI/Amina Bashir In 13 trainings conducted between 2- 25 May 2019, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) within the framework of the Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project has trained 295 beneficiaries (223 male, 72 female) in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The trainings covered a wide range of topics including Group Dynamics, Issues in Agriculture and Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, Policy Communications and STATA statistical software packages. The trainings were held in Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger States. Participants of the trainings include academics and researchers, journalists, farmer groups, agrodealers and government officials. Training
A training course on “Econometrics for Policy Analysis Using STATA” was organized for staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in Abuja (c) 2019 IFPRI/Motunrayo Oyeyemi Group Dynamics training held for agrodealers in Benue State in March 2019 (c) 2019 IFPRI/Adetunji Fasoranti The Nigeria Strategy Support Program of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI-NSSP) delivered 16 trainings to close to 400 persons between 25 March and 30 April 2019 in Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger and Oyo states and Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The trainings, covered a wide range of areas, including Group Dynamics, Issues in Agriculture, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Policy Communications and the use of STATA for policy analysis.
Policy communications training courses delivered to government officials, and farmers in Kebbi State
From 28-31 January 2019, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) delivered two policy communications training courses for a total of 60 government officials (28-29 January) and farmers (30 – 31 January) in Kebbi State. Facilitators and participants of the Policy Communications Training held for the Kebbi Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (c) 2019 IFPRI The 25 government officials (23 male, 2 female) work at the Kebbi State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Kebbi State Agricultural Development Programme. On the other hand, the 35 participants (27 male, 8 female) represented various farmer groups in Kebbi State. In the two trainings, participants were introduced to basic concepts of Policy Communications, the use of social media for disseminating information and engaging in policy discussions and sources of information relevant to agriculture. Government officials were introduced to policy notes, an effective contemporary tool for informing,
Facilitators and participants at the Group Dynamics training for agrodealers held in Kebbi State in January 2019 (c) 2019 IFPRI To equip agro-dealers with adequate skills to manage their groups, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) delivered on behalf of the FtF Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project a training course for agro-dealers in Kebbi State on 28 – 29 January 2019. The 35 participants (25 male, 10 female) represented various groups and were exposed to knowledge and skills related to conflict resolution, working as a team, communication and record keeping. It is expected that such trainings would enhance the capacity of various players in Nigeria’s agricultural sector to engage more effectively on policy discussions and implementation. The training is part of capacity building activities of the Feed the Future
Bisola Oyediran, one of IFPRI’s communications experts, facilitating a session on social media audiences at the Policy Communications Training held in Kebbi (c) 2018 IFPRI/Elisabeth Douglas. It is difficult to refute the importance of the role that journalists play in setting the agenda and shaping national discussions on issues. As gatekeepers of information, they are vital stakeholders in ensuring an environment where policy decisions are sound and evidence-based. In recognition of this fact, two Communications Experts from the Nigeria Strategy Support Program of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI-NSSP) trained 23 journalists on the basics of Policy Communications on 31 October – 1 November 2018 in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State capital. Facilitators and participants of the Policy Communications Training held
Participants and facilitators of the Policy Communications Training held in Kebbi State (c) 2018 IFPRI/Bisola Oyediran On 29-30 October 2018, the Nigeria Strategy Support Program of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI-NSSP) has carried out an intermediate Policy Communications training in Kebbi state capital, Birnin-Kebbi, as part of efforts towards further strengthening the capacity of Nigerian journalists to drive evidence-based discussions on agricultural policy. The 21 participants (11 male, 10 female) represented a diverse mix in terms of news media ownership with representation of journalists from radio, television and newspapers owned by Kebbi State Government, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the private sector. Elisabeth Douglas, Communications Specialist with IFPRI, facilitating a session during the Policy Communications training for journalists
We are pleased to announce the publication of Working Paper 51 from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)’s Nigeria Strategy Support Program (NSSP) entitled “Grain price seasonality in Kebbi state, Nigeria”. The paper is the product of a collaboration between researchers based in IFPRI’s Abuja Office and Kebbi State University in Aliero, Kebbi State. NSSP Policy Note No. 51 was co-authored by Patrick L. Hatzenbuehler, an Associate Research Fellow with IFPRI’s Nigeria Strategy Support Program, based in Abuja; George Mavrotas, a Senior Research Fellow and Program Leader of IFPRI’s Nigeria Strategy Support Program, also based in Abuja; Mohammed Abubakar Maikasuwa, a Reader in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension at Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero;