Apowa (W/R), Jan 20, GNA - Dr Kwame Amezah, the National Director of Extension of the Ministry Of Food and Agriculture, has said the sector would introduce Electronic (e) Extension Services by April. The e-Extension Service, which the World Bank will support, would be piloted in 50 districts.

Dr Amezah said this at the opening of a two-day Agricultural Extension Performance Review Workshop for 25 District Extension officers in the Western Region at Apowa on Tuesday. He said the e-extension would promote knowledge in the dissemination of information, store data and update information in the sector through the use of mobile phones. Also, the information provided will be current and can be assessed through the mobile phone.

He said it was important for extension officers to update themselves on commodities and practices that are common in the area where they operate. "You have to move away from face to face interaction for farmers to group and community campaigns that would help the sector to grow", he said.

Dr. Amezah said the extension officers could send messages on the new method in the agriculture sector at churches, mosques, and other organizations.

"You can perform better if you train yourself and know what you are doing ", he said. He said the extension officers can take farmers to a study tour, visit a farm that is performing very well and to encourage them to do better. 20 Jan 10