The Ekiti State Government has identified the use of technology as a major step towards mitigating the challenges posed by climate change particularly in the area of Agriculture

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Ebenezer Boluwade made this known in Ado-Ekiti during a 4-Day training programme for Extension Agents organized by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support ( L-PRES) Project titled “Digital Extension Approaches and Climate Advisory Services”.

Boluwade noted that the use of technology is expected to enhance the resilience of farmers in the State to Climate-related stresses and promote sustainable agricultural development

“We recognize that climate change is a major threat to agricultural productivity in our State. By adopting technology, we can provide our farmers with the tools and information they need to adapt to climate – related stresses,” Boluwade said.

He stressed that the State government has already begun exploring various technological solutions to address climate change noting that these include: digital extension approaches, climate – smart agriculture and data – driven decision making.

In his remarks, the Acting Agricultural Development Programme Manager,(ADP), Mr. Adegbola Bamidele emphasized that digital extension approaches are not replacements for traditional extension services, but are rather designed to complement them.

Mr. Adegbola noted that digital extension approaches can help us reach more farmers, more efficiently and with more accurate information, noting that climate change is having a devastating impact on agricultural productivity in Ekiti State, with farmers facing increased frequency of droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator L-PRES, Mr Olayinka Adedipe highlighted the project’s objectives and strategies, noting that “Our goal is to resilience, commercialization and productivity of small- scale agricultural producers in Ekiti State. We believe that digital extension approaches and climate advisory services are critical components of achieving this objective,”

In his Contribution, the National Extension Specialist L-PRES, Mr Suleiman Umar said that L-PRES aims to improve Productivity, resilience and commercialization by supporting selected value chain and strengthening the State’s capacity to respond to crises.

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Mr. Suleiman stressed that digital extension can play a crucial role in achieving these objectives by providing farmers with timely and accurate information on climate – related risks and opportunities.

The facilitators at the event including, the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna State, Prof. Adetunji Iyiola – Tunji provided insight into the benefits of digital extension approaches and climate advisory services, including improved agricultural productivity, enhanced resilience and food security.

Prof. Adetunji emphasized some of the digital extension approaches are Mobile phone technology, ICT – Enabled Extension Services and Climate Information Services.

Also, a lecturer from Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural development, Institute for Agricultural Research and Faculty of Agriculture,Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Kaduna State, Dr. Ahmed Abdullahi noted that Livestock Farmers acquired sufficient knowledge and skills necessary to increase production or reduce cost of production.

Dr. Abdullahi noted that livestock extension includes, improve Productivity, enhanced food security, Increased income, sustainable livestock Production, disease control and Animal health and Market access and linkages.

Responding on behalf of beneficiaries of the programme, Mr. Eniola Gabriel who is an extension agent said that they would utilize knowledge acquired during the training to better the lives of farmers and enhance productivity in the State.

The adoption of digital extension approaches and climate advisory services is expected to have a positive impact on agricultural productivity and resilience in Ekiti State.

By providing farmers with the tools and information they need to adapt to climate change, the State government can help ensure food security and sustainable Agricultural development in the State.