The Potentials of E-Extension for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Nigeria

Abstract

The Agricultural sector has not been left out of the revolution technology is bringing to the world. The need for precision farming towards sustainable agriculture has made agricultural information and knowledge more crucial. Agricultural extension agencies have continuously adopted various emerging technologies and their advantages cannot be underestimated. E- Extension is a means of delivering and transferring information to farmers through electronic devices and ICTs. E-extension can reach a wide range of audiences rapidly within a short period. This study examines the e-extension systems that have been adopted in Nigeria, the ICT tools and e-resources used for e-extension were examined. The delivery of advisory services through Farmers' help line, audio-visual messages, short messages and others was explored. This review considered the adoption of e-extension by developed nations. The review was done extensively reviewing publications and literature. The paper also discussed the constraints to e-extension, which were poor electric power supply, low literacy, cost of electronic technology, poor funding of public extension services, low ICT literacy, poor internet connectivity among others. Conclusively, e-extension can transform the lives of farmers via easy access to advisory services if adopted. It is therefore recommended that extension work be encouraged by the relevant sectors.