Articles

PROSPECTS, CHALLENGES
AND STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING

E-EXTENSION TECHNOLOGY IN THE 21^ST CENTURY IN
NIGERIA

By Daniel Adedzwa

Introduction:

The success of the Nigeria
agricultural sector is partly dependent on the accessibility of vital
agricultural information by farmers. However, the shortage of agricultural
extension personnel has been a major challenge to disseminating agricultural
information to farmers.

Due to recent developments in
ICT, more farmers can be easily reached within a short time.

This emerging technological
innovation in agriculture extension thrives in developed parts of the world,
however, it faces lots of challenges in Nigeria.

Ogochukwu et’al (2021)
investigated the prospects, challenges and strategies for promoting
e-agricultural extension in Abia State Nigeria.

They identified 14 prospects,
13 challenges and 16 strategies for promoting e-agricultural extension
technology.

These are presented in tables
1, 2 and 3.

Some useful insights on this
subject were also obtained from studies by Abdulsalam et’al (2016) and Albert
(2014)

Table
1: Prospects of E-agricultural extension in Abia State, Nigeria.

1. E-agricultural
extension technology has the potential of reaching large population of farmers
in a short time.

2. It
can provide 24 hour extension services for farmers.

3. Farmers
can easily access agricultural information anytime.

4. It
can quickly convey agricultural information with less effort.

5. It is
an attractive form of agricultural information delivery system, capable of
making up for shortage of manpower in extension.

6. Farmers
will receive quick feedback to solutions of their problems in farming.

7. It
saves time and cost in disseminating agricultural information.

8. Extension
agents can on regular basis effectively communicate to farmers through e-agricultural
extension system.

9. It
has the potential of uniting farmers, extension agents and researchers for
exchanges of ideas with less efforts.

10. Extension
agents and researchers can with less effort exchange ideas through
e-agricultural extension system.

11. Electronic
agricultural extension has the potential to transform traditional farming into
precision farming.

12. It
can encourage effective farmer education.

13. E-agricultural
system has a wider coverage than the traditional system.

14. Agricultural
information is delivered at the convenience of farmers through electronic
means.

Table
2: Challenges to e-agricultural extension technology in Abia State, Nigeria.

1. Extension
agents lack ICT skills needed for e-agricultural extension.

2. Farmers
do not have necessary ICT skills needed for e-agricultural extension.

3. Poor
network services especially in ruler areas.

4. Lack
of interest of the farmers

5. Lack
of capital

6. Illiteracy

7. Inadequate
power supply

8. Inadequate
ICT infrastructures

9. General
lack of interest by government

10. Non-integration
of e-agricultural extension services in extension services

11. Lack
of government policies on e-agricultural extension.

12. There
is little or no online agricultural extension data base system or websites
where farmers can get useful agricultural information.

13. Lack
of promotion of e-agricultural extension.

Table
3: Strategies to promoting e-agricultural extension technology in Abia State,
Nigeria.

1. Creating
policy frameworks that can promote e-agricultural extension.

2. Making
available adequate infrastructures such as radio, TV, Satellite, smart phones,
laptops etc to farmers and extension agents that will support e-agricultural
extension in various zones.

3. Developing
an online data base system that connects farmers, extension agents and
researchers for information exchange.

4. Creating
local ICT offices within agricultural zones to support and carryout
e-agricultural extension.

5. Developing
state/national networks for e-agricultural extension systems.

6. Providing
adequate funds for e-agricultural extension system.

7. Boosting
existing networks especially in rural areas.

8. ICT
training of stakeholders (farmers, extension workers and researchers) in
agricultural extension for effective agricultural extension system.

9. Using
data base driven websites to make information sharing and access easier.

10. Using
of streaming media to make non-text (video and audio) information more widely
available to audience who may not be literate.

11. Using
call centres telephone and text messaging content.

12. Regular
supply of electricity especially in rural areas.

13. Use
of private sector cyber café and private sector telephone system.

14. Creating
agricultural extension websites

15. Introducing
farmers to agricultural websites

16. Promoting
recognition of the internet as a tool for supporting information learning.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of the
study, Ogochukwu et’al (2021) made the following recommendations:

1.
Government should create policies that will
promote the awareness and practice of e-agricultural extension technology.

2.
Farmers and extension agents should be
adequately trained on ICT skills to facilitate the implementation of
e-agricultural extension technology.

3.
Adequate ICT infrastructures should be made
available to farmers and extension agents for successful running of
e-agricultural extension technology.

4.
Government should ensure regular supply of
electricity to support the e-agricultural extension technology for
effectiveness.

5.
Local e-agricultural extension centres should
be established by the government and private agencies to provide electronic
information to farmers in all agricultural zones.

From the above information,
we can deduce the following lessons that may guide CEFTER management in making
informed decisions in adopting the e-agricultural extension technology in Benue
State through BNARDA.

1. E-agricultural extension technology is capital
intensive.

2. CEFTER management can start by identifying
some of the prospects challenges and strategies that they can now handle within
the limited available resources.

3. The process should begin on a pilot scale
covering one Local Government Area to gain experience before going statewide.

4. I strongly recommend that CEFTER should embark
on this project as their contribution towards reviving the moribund
agricultural extension services in Benue State.

References:

Abdulsalam
A, Olaifa, T. P. and Frederick, A. (2016). The complimentary Roles of ICT in
Agricultural Knowledge Management in Nigeria. Greener Journal of Agricultural
Science. 617 (1) 3 – 179

Albert
C. O. (2014). Constraints to Effective use of ICT among Extension Professional
and Farmers in Extension Delivery in Rivers State, Nigeria. Singaporean Journal
of Business Economics and Management Studies. 2 (11).

Ogochukwu
O., Gideon N. M. and F. N. Ezebuiro (2021). Emerging Electronic Agricultural
Extension Technology: Prospects, challenges and strategies in Abia State,
Nigeria. Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development. ISSN:
2630-7065 (Print) 2630-7073(e) vol 4 No. 4. 2021 (Association for the promotion
of African Studies).

CHALLENGES
OF E-AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIA AND MITIGATING MEASURES IN
BENUE STATE

S/N

CHALLENGE

MITIGATING MEASURE

Extension
Agents lack ICT skills needed for e-agricultural extension

–
Train selected extension agents in basic ICT skills
such as use of WhatsApp, Facebook,
Voicemail, SMS, Video messages using their android cell phones in
transmission of messages.

Farmers
do not have necessary ICT skills needed for e-agricultural extension

–
Trained extension agents supported to train lead
farmers in use of ICT skills in cascade training.

–
Training of farmer organizations especially women
farmers.

Poor
network services especially in rural areas

Keep
in view

Lack
of interest of the farmers

–
Create awareness of farmers and Agricultural workers
in

e-extension
through workshops, radio jingles etc.

–
Train farmers in ICT skills needed for e-extension

Lack
of capital

Keep
in view

Illiteracy

–
Use of non-text messages such as video and audios to
reach out to this group

Inadequate
Power Supply

Keep
in view

General
Lack of interest by government

–
Engage relevant government departments and create
awareness.

–
Workshops for key relevant government departments
and LGAs

Inadequate
ICT infrastructure

–
BNARDA to compile the list of necessary extension
messages.

–
CEFTER to incorporate extension messages on their
website.

10.

Non-integration
of e-agricultural extension services in extension services.

–
Advocacy for policy modification in favour of
e-agricultural extension.

–
Create awareness about

e-agriculture
extension to farmers and general public.

11.

Lack
of government policies on

e-agricultural
extension

–
Influence policy modification to include
e-agricultural extension.

–
Organize workshops for senior government policy
makers on

e-agricultural
extension.

12.

There
is little or no online agricultural extension data base system or websites
where farmers can get useful agricultural information

–
BNARDA to generate relevant technologies for
improvement of crops/livestock.

–
Use CEFTER website to produce online database.

–
Encourage private organizations to place
agricultural extension messages on their websites.

13.

Lack
of promotion of e-agricultural extension.

–
Organize training workshops

–
Produce radio messages and Jingles to create
awareness

–
Engage senior government officials in agricultural
sector to modify Benue State policy on agriculture to include

e-agricultural
extension.

STRATEGIES
TO PROMOTING E-AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIA AND ACTIVITIES
AGREED BETWEEN CEFTER AND BNARDA

S/N	STRATEGY	ACTIVITIES AGREED
1.	Creating policy frameworks that can promote e-agricultural extension.	– BNARDA to engage senior government officers in ministry of Agriculture to modify policy on agriculture to include e-agricultural extension.
2.	Making available adequate infrastructure such as radio, TV, satellite, smart phones, laptops etc to farmers and extension agents that will support e-agricultural extension in the various zones.	– Use of radio stations across Benue State – Recruit extension agents who already have and use smart phones. – CEFTER to provide a few laptops for office use
3.	Developing an online database system that connects farmers, extension agents and researchers for information exchange	– BNARDA to compile extension messages – CEFTER to incorporate extension messages on CEFTER website.
4.	Creating local ICT offices within agricultural zones in the state to support and carry out e-agricultural extension.	Keep in view
5.	Developing state/national networks for e-agricultural extension systems.	CEFTER website will incorporate messages for use by extension agents and farmers in the state and beyond
6.	Providing adequate funds for e-agricultural extension system	– CEFTER has created a budget line for e-agricultural extension within limited available resources. – BNARDA encouraged to source for more funds from other soruces.
7.	Boosting existing networks especially in rural area	Keep in view
8.	ICT training of stakeholders (farmers, extension workers and researchers) in e-agricultural extension for effective agricultural extension system.	– Training workshop agreed to train extension workers as a first step across the 23 LGA’s from 10-11 August, 2022.
9.	Using data base driven extension websites to make information sharing and access easier	– We agreed to use data base driven websites like Facebook, WhatsApp, – CEFTER website to make information sharing easier.
10.	Using of streaming media to make non-text (video and audio) information more widely available to audience who may not be literate	CEFTER in collaboration with Benue TV to produce and provide audios and videos on relevant extension technologies to BNARDA
11.	Using call centers telephone and text messaging content	BNARDA to purchase 3 telephone lines for this purpose.
12.	Regular supply of electricity	Keep in view
13.	Use of private sector cyber café’ and private sector telephone system.	Keep in view
14.	Creating agricultural extension websites.	– The existing CEFTER website will be used to accommodate extension messages for dissemination
15.	Introducing farmers to agricultural websites	Extension agents shall be trained to access extension information of CEFTER website and other websites who shall in turn introduce farmers to use of websites
16.	Promoting recognition of the internet as a tool for supporting information learning.	BNARDA to facilitate review of Benue Agricultural policy to incorporate the use of e-agricultural extension.

RECOMMENDATIONS

S/N	STRATEGY	ACTIVITIES GREED
1.	Government should create policies that will promote the awareness and practice of e-agricultural extension technology	Both sides agreed and BNARDA mandated to take issues of policy review to embrace e-agricultural extension technology with the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture
2.	Farmers and extension agents should be adequately trained on ICT skills to facilitate the implementation of e-agricultural extension technology	Both side agreed. Activities to achieve this already in place.
3.	Adequate ICT infrastructure should be made available to farmers and extension agents for successful running of e-agricultural extension technology	Both sides agreed. Activities to achieve this in place within available resources.
4.	Government should ensure regular supply of electricity to support the e-agricultural extension technology for effectiveness	Noted but keep in view
5.	Local e-agricultural extension centres should be established by the government and private agencies to provide electronic information to farmers in all agricultural zones	Noted but kept in view
6.	e-agricultural extension technology in capital intensive	Noted
7.	CEFTER management can start by identifying some of the prospects, challenges and strategies that they can now handle within limited available resources	Noted and action already taken for take-off of the project
8.	The process should begin on a pilot scale covering one local government area to gain experience before going statewide	Recommendation noted but it was decided that the process can go statewide since electronic information can easily be accessed anywhere.
9.	I strongly recommend that CEFTER should embark on this project as their contribution towards reviving the moribund agricultural extension services in Benue State.	The recommendation of the consultant was completely accepted