Last Updated on March 4, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
The DIGISOL Project at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) successfully concluded its 2-Day Capacity-Building Workshop on February 20, 2026, an initiative aimed at enhancing the use of digital tools for agricultural extension service delivery. The workshop, held at the CEADESE Lecture Hall, assembled extension agents, facilitators, and critical stakeholders dedicated to strengthening digital-driven agricultural practices.
In his Opening Remarks, the Project Team Lead, Mr. Addy-Nayo, welcomed participants and reflected on the project’s progress since its inception in 2023. He noted that sustained collaboration among partner institutions across Imo, Kwara, and Ogun States over the past three years had yielded operational guidelines, comprehensive reports, and measurable impacts for farmers. He disclosed that several beneficiaries had received enterprise-support grants through funding provided by the European Union. He expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, and the Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Adewale Dipeolu, for their consistent support, assuring participants that the project would continue to consolidate its achievements and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of the DIGISOL Project, Prof. Chinasaokwu Onyemuwa, described the workshop as a vital step toward achieving the project’s objectives. He emphasised that contemporary agriculture was increasingly driven by data, connectivity, and real-time information systems. According to him, extension agents remain the indispensable link between research and farmers, while digital tools serve as complementary instruments designed to enhance their effectiveness rather than replace them. He encouraged facilitators to ensure that the sessions were practical and impactful.
Delivering a presentation on digital inclusion strategies for young and female farmers, Dr. Chinwe Nwogu underscored the vulnerabilities faced by rural women, including restricted access to farmland, heavy domestic responsibilities, and information gaps. She explained that the DIGISOL Project deliberately prioritises women and youths by enhancing their productivity through accessible digital tools while harnessing the technological adaptability of young people. She advocated rebuilding digital market infrastructure to curb middlemen exploitation, promoting gender-responsive advisory services, and strengthening financial systems tailored to farmers’ realities. She concluded that meaningful inclusion of women and youths would significantly boost agricultural productivity in Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking on human-computer interaction for low-literacy and rural users, Dr. Olaleye stressed that technology must be people-centred. He observed that poor usability often results in the abandonment of digital tools despite ongoing digitisation efforts. Describing farmers in the region as predominantly smallholder operators with mixed literacy levels, shared mobile device usage, intermittent connectivity, and a preference for oral and demonstration-based learning, he urged developers and extension agents to simplify interfaces, reduce text density, avoid abstract icons, and build trust through accessible design.
Participants were subsequently taken through practical demonstrations of the DIGISOL App and associated platforms by Dr. Orji, who described the solutions as indigenous and farmer-focused. He explained that the platform features a mobile-based advisory system capable of delivering timely information to farmers with limited internet access, alongside a Digital Knowledge and E-Book Platform containing agronomic guides and climate adaptation resources. He added that enterprise and grant components embedded within the system have empowered farmers to diversify and strengthen their livelihoods.
Resource persons provided guidance on irrigation planning, organic pest control strategies, offline accessibility options, and the use of voice messaging and local languages to enhance outreach. They emphasised the need for adaptive approaches, noting that no single digital solution can address all contexts.
In her presentation, Dr. Esther Tolorunju addressed participants on technology acceptance and adoption strategies for Non-Technical users in underserved communities. She explained that genuine adoption extends beyond initial usage to consistent application that yields improved livelihoods. She identified barriers such as language constraints, low trust in technology, literacy limitations, and the exclusion of women and elderly farmers. She encouraged extension agents to co-create locally relevant solutions and engage community champions to drive acceptance.
Mr. Obasa Ridwan shared practical insights on the challenges and prospects of digital extension services, observing that annual agricultural losses persist due to systemic weaknesses in research and extension institutions, inadequate funding, and insufficient welfare for extension workers. While noting that other African countries are advancing in digital agricultural extension, he urged Nigeria to intensify efforts to mainstream digital solutions within its agricultural framework.
A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Chikamso Apeh featured Dr. Nwogu, Dr. Tolorunju, and Mr. Ridwan, who identified mobile phones, voice notes, and radio as effective tools for extension service delivery. They cited poor connectivity, high data subscription costs, affordability constraints, and trust deficits as major operational barriers. To strengthen trust, the panel recommended consistent demonstrations, bottom-up engagement strategies, and hands-on approaches that clearly showcase tangible benefits. Contributions from the audience highlighted youths’ natural adaptability to digital tools, the influence of farm scale on adoption rates, and the importance of simplified interfaces and visual aids.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Adewale Dipeolu, commended participants for their active engagement and urged them to translate the knowledge acquired into practical action within their communities. He reaffirmed FUNAAB’s commitment to leveraging digital innovation to transform agricultural extension services in Nigeria and encouraged extension agents to further explore resources available on the DIGISOL platform.
The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants, marking a significant milestone in the University’s continued drive toward digitally empowered agricultural development.
