The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), a non-governmental organisation, has called on social media influencers in Benue and Nasarawa States to create more awareness on the availability of improved disease-free cassava seeds.
SAA made the call in Makurdi at the Building an Economically Sustainable Integrated Cassava Seed System Phase 2 (BASICS II) project workshop organised for social media influencers and actors.
The communication focal person for the BASICS II project, Ms Aveseh Asough, said that social media platforms have become game changers in sharing information on agriculture as they connect people easily across the world.
Asough stated that farmers can learn new techniques, get updates on the weather or market prices, and also share their farming experience, all from their phones.
“Social media influencers break things down in simple, relatable ways through videos, photos, and stories, and this helps build trust by showing real-life results.
“Influencers can play a crucial role in spreading information about the benefits of certified cassava seeds, the dangers of disease-prone planting materials, and the importance of a reliable seed supply chain.
“The BASICS II model has proven effective in improving cassava productivity by establishing a structured seed system that delivers disease-free, high-quality cassava planting materials to farmers,” she added.
The focal person emphasised that despite the success gotten, the widespread use of recycled and unimproved varieties continue to limit cassava yields.
She explained that the workshop is dedicated to social media influencers to equip selected voices in both Benue and Nasarawa to enable them to get the needed knowledge to amplify the BASICS II project and increase reach.
“The objective of this workshop is to make sure influencers are equipped with practical communication tools and content ideas for creating engaging posts that would promote the adoption of disease-free certified seeds.
“It is also meant to build the capacity of social media influencers in Benue and Nasarawa on the BASICS II Cassava Seed System, which includes its benefits, structure and impact on cassava productivity.
“The aim is to create a network of influencers actively involved in promoting the BASICS II Cassava Seed model across social media platforms and reaching out to farmers and agricultural communities,” she said.
Also speaking at the workshop, the programme officer for Market Oriented Agriculture (MOA), Mr Jonathan Yassah, said the SAA programme was founded to improve the productivity of agriculture and food security in Africa.
According to him, 14 extension agents were trained in March 2024 on the use of improved cassava disease-free seeds, and there is a high demand for improved seeds in the two states.
He further said that the major challenges at the moment were inadequate and scarcity of stems.
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