The Federal Government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other stakeholders have moved to strengthen the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled digital extension services across Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.
The stakeholders said the technology could help address the country’s shortage of agricultural extension workers while providing farmers with timely information on weather, pests, diseases, markets and improved farming practices.
They spoke yesterday in Abuja at a workshop on: “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Digital Extension Across Agricultural Value Chains in Nigeria.”
IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, described AI-enabled digital extension as strategically important to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, saying it provides a practical mechanism for translating agricultural policies into farmer-level services and measurable results across the agrifood system.
Ekoue said AI could improve the timeliness and relevance of agricultural advisory services by tailoring information to farmers’ locations, crops, seasons, weather conditions, pest and disease risks, market opportunities and individual profiles. “AI-enabled digital extension is strategically important for accelerating Nigeria’s agrifood systems transformation.”
