Agricultural extension and advisory services should be highly involved in realizing gender equity and improving nutrition. There are a lot of socio economic issues that could hinder utilization of nutrition education, an agricultural extension expert is needed for identification and appropriate solution. Agricultural extension personnel are trained in communication, psychology, human relation, administration and community development among others. They are equipped with the necessary communication strategies that could easily convince farm families because they understand the language of the farmers, In other words they are trained to interact with human beings.
Most agricultural intervention programmes spelt out gender equity in their programmes and want it implemented as such without a nutrition package, though nutrition education is often mentioned and researched into but supporting improved nutrition directly is not a common issue.
Challenges: Most agricultural institution are not really including improving the nutrition of farm families in their activities due to focus on mandates, improving productivity through transfer of technologies. Result of most nutrition research are on-shelf due to inadequate funding of research. Inadequate knowledge of necessary tools and collaboration between health and agricultural institution. Possible hijack of extension activities by non-professionals by playing down the role and strength of extension personnel. Rather than collaborating to achieve success, extension are often seen as threat. Non-involvement of AEAS in project where their expertise is needed especially in gender sensitive programmes is another challenge.
I think GFRAS should assist in blowing the trumpet on the underutilized capacity of AEAS. Capacity building programmes for AEAS and consciously including them in food security and nutrition programmes.
Funmilayo Bosede Olajide