FGN IFAD VCDP Training For Extension Agents, Laison Officers Ends In Awka

A one-day intensive training of Extension Agents and Laison Officers on criterion for identifying success stories and basic photography skills, has ended with a charge on participants to go into the field and fish out champions using the success story template.

The training, organized by the FGN IFAD VCDP, took place at the Agricultural Development Programm office in Awka with the State Programme Management Unit, SPMU, Extension Agents and Laison Officers from the eight participating council areas in attendance.

Declaring the training open, the State Programme Coordinator, FGN IFAD VCDP, Mr. Nnamdi Agwuncha, said the participants would be nurtured on basic skills on how to discover beneficiaries, who have distinguished selves through their field activities for further expansion of their scopes.

Mr. Agwuncha also added that apart from expanding their scope, they will also build their capacities further and make them role models for other farmers to learn from.

While describing the training as apt considering all that have happened since inception of FGN IFAD VCDP in 2014, Mr. Agwuncha noted that a lot of achievements have been recorded by the beneficiaries as according to him, a lot have built houses, bought cars, lands, and easily pay their bills.

Taking participants on criterion for identifying success stories, the Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, KMC, FGN IFAD VCDP, Mr. Henry Anagboso, defined success story as a human-interest story that highlights success or achievement of VCDP by focusing on the impact of an intervention, innovation or technique and how it contributes to change in value chain development, individual value chain enterprise or group’s lives.

Mr. Anagboso urged the participants to keep their discoveries simple and succinct, write clearly, without using jargons and ensure that there is a clear before and after for a well spelt out success.

For some of the participants, including the extension agent from Ayamelum Council Area, Mr. Humphrey Nzekwu, his Orumba North Counterpart, Mrs. Ngozi Nwankwor and the Laison Officer for Anambra East Council Area, Mr. Chukwudi Chukwuka, they have too many success stories from their council areas that need to be shared for encouragement.

The training ended with a lecture on Basic Photography Skills by Mr. Chibike Agubuisi, question and answer session.