DigiSol Project trains Agricultural Extension Officers on benefits of digital tools in Kwara

By: Aminah Salako – Adekunle and Janet Oye – Asiyan

Agricultural extension officers have been advised to harness digital tools in order to get accurate and useful information on farming activities.

The Digisol Project Team Leader, Mr. Chris Addy-Nayo, stated this during a capacity-building workshop for agricultural extension agents under the Digisol Project held at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.

Mr. Addy-Nayo explained that by leveraging digital tools, farmers can significantly improve productivity and contribute to sustainable agricultural development.

Speaking at the event, the Kwara State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, described agricultural extension officers as trained professionals who work directly with farmers, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to improve agricultural practices.

Mrs. Thomas called for stable electricity, reliable internet services, adequate resources, and improved accessibility in order to achieve the project’s objectives and make a meaningful impact on rural farmers.

Meanwhile, the Digisol Project Gender Expert, Dr. Chinwe Nwogu, highlighted the critical role women play in agricultural production in rural communities, noting that they often face challenges such as limited access to land, finance, extension services, and modern farming information.

Earlier, the Coordinator Digisol Project, Al-Hikmah University, Dr. Tajudeen Ajala encouraged farmers to take full advantage of the project by adhering to recommended practices and conducting research to stay updated on current trends in agricultural production.

Dr. Ajala explained that numerous activities have taken place in the implementation of the Project including training of farmers on different digital solutions, financial solutions for small-scale farmers and agriculture SMEs, dialogue on policy-reforms in the telecoms sector to enhance access of telecom facilities to farmers in remote communities among others.

He stressed that the main aim of the training programme is to enhance the technical capacities and knowledge of agricultural extension officers and head of agriculture departments in the target local government areas in promoting innovative digital solutions in the agriculture sector and also to promote alternative livelihoods in rural communities to address economic and environmental challenges faced by farmers in rural remote communities.

The DigiSol Project Coordinator added that the objectives of the training includes building the digital capacity of agriculture extension officers for online and mobile-based farmer training, introduce practical digital tools and platforms for e-extension service delivery, enhance skills in developing and sharing digital agricultural content, promote the use of mobile phones and online platforms for climate-smart agriculture training, and strengthen communication between extension officers and farmers through digital channels.

The DIGISOL Project, is a synergetic effort led by the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Imo State, and other Partners including the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, and the Startup Europe Regions Network (SERN), a Brussels-based Organization. The Project is implemented with the technical and financial support of the European Union Delegation in Nigeria and West Africa.

The project has four major components of Research Study: Examining digital financial solutions for farmers in remote communities; and Digital Training: Providing training to farmers in remote areas; Innovative Solutions: Developing climate finance digital solutions for farmers; as well as Policy Reforms: Promoting digital solutions through policy reforms and skills development. The project seeks to empower rural farmers, particularly women and youth, with digital tools to improve agricultural practices, enhance climate resilience, and foster economic growth.