Professor Joe Madu of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, has urged agricultural officers in Niger State to adopt advanced statistical tools to improve data-driven farming practices and food productivity.
Madu made the appeal during a one-week training on ‘R’, a globally used open-source statistical software designed for efficient data analysis in agriculture. The session brought together participants from the Fadama office, Niger State Agricultural Mechanisation Development Agency (NAMDA), the Ministry of Agriculture, and other key agencies.
According to Madu, the training is aimed at equipping agricultural professionals with the skills to manage and interpret data for better planning and operational results. He emphasized that tools like ‘R’ are essential in a modern agricultural environment that relies heavily on data for informed decision-making.
“R is simple, adaptable, and widely used for analysing complex agricultural data,” Madu explained, noting that its mastery could significantly improve field performance and productivity.
Fadama NG-CARES State Project Coordinator, Malam Shehu Kudu, praised the initiative, highlighting the critical role of data in agricultural service delivery. He reaffirmed the office’s commitment to supporting training that aligns with Niger’s food security agenda.
NAMDA’s Managing Director, Malam Muhammad Alibaba, also expressed full support for integrating the training outcomes into routine agency operations, stressing the need for innovation and evidence-based planning in driving agricultural transformation.