The Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria (AESON) has successfully convened its 30th Annual Conference, drawing experts, policymakers, practitioners, and key stakeholders in agriculture to Taraba State University, Jalingo, to engage in critical dialogue on the theme: "Agricultural Extension Policy, Practices, and National Food Security."
The landmark event served as a powerful platform for participants to assess the current landscape of agricultural extension in Nigeria, explore its role in food security, and deliberate on policy strategies to overcome persistent challenges in the sector. With agricultural extension positioned as a cornerstone of rural development and food sustainability, the conference brought fresh urgency to national conversations on reforming and revitalizing agricultural policy.
At the 30th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria (AESON), with a compelling address delivered by Hon. Professor Nicholas Oliver Namesan, the Taraba State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security cum Tertiary Education. In his well-articulated speech, Prof. Namesan set the tone for the entire event, highlighting the indispensable role of agricultural extension services in shaping Nigeria’s food security landscape and catalyzing long-term rural development.
Professor Namesan underscored the centrality of agricultural extension as the lifeline that connects innovation to impact, particularly within the country’s vast rural farming communities. According to him, extension services serve as a bridge between scientific research and real-world agricultural practices—facilitating the timely transfer of improved techniques, modern tools, and sustainable farming strategies to local farmers.
He noted that in today’s rapidly evolving agricultural ecosystem, knowledge has become just as important as access to land and inputs. However, this knowledge must be effectively disseminated and contextualized for rural farmers, who are often isolated from mainstream innovation and technological advancements. This, he said, is the mission and mandate of agricultural extension workers. He highlighted the role of agricultural extension in facilitating knowledge transfer, enhancing best practices, and influencing agricultural policy cannot be overstated - Prof. Namesan rendered that these services do not just improve yields - they empower communities, reduce poverty, and promote long-term resilience in the face of economic and environmental shocks.
He went on to explain that agricultural extension is more than a technical function - it is a transformational force that touches every aspect of the agricultural value chain. From soil testing to seed selection, irrigation to pest management, and harvesting to marketing, extension agents play a crucial role in guiding farmers through complex decisions that directly affect productivity and profitability. More importantly, they provide a human interface—an element of trust, mentorship, and partnership that digital platforms and printed manuals often lack.
Also, in his address, Professor Namesan expressed concern about the dwindling capacity and visibility of extension services in many parts of Nigeria, attributing the decline to inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and a lack of political will. He pointed out that while agriculture continues to be a dominant sector in Nigeria’s economy, investment in extension and advisory services remains disproportionately low compared to its critical importance.
This conference offers a timely opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on how agricultural extension can be more strategically positioned within our broader food security and rural development frameworks.
He called on the government at all levels to prioritize the training, equipping, and incentivizing of extension personnel, whom he described as frontline soldiers in the nation’s war against hunger and poverty. In the face of challenges such as climate change, insecurity, and economic volatility, extension workers remain essential in helping farmers adapt, innovate, and thrive.
Professor Namesan also addressed the broader implications of neglecting extension services. He warned that without proactive support, the knowledge gap between research institutions and rural farmers would continue to widen, resulting in low productivity, increased post-harvest losses, and persistent food insecurity.
He emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between ministries of agriculture, universities, research institutes, and private sector players to build a responsive and agile extension system. According to him, Nigeria must transition from outdated, bureaucratic approaches to a more dynamic, farmer-centered extension model that emphasizes efficiency, relevance, and impact.
Furthermore, he highlighted the role of tertiary education in producing the next generation of agricultural extension professionals. As the commissioner overseeing both agriculture and tertiary education in Taraba State, Prof. Namesan said he was committed to fostering partnerships between universities and agricultural institutions to promote research-driven, practice-oriented training.
His powerful remarks were met with enthusiastic applause from participants and set the intellectual and policy-driven tone for the rest of the conference. By anchoring the discussions on the transformative role of extension services, Professor Namesan laid a solid foundation for stakeholders to engage critically, collaborate meaningfully, and act decisively toward building a food-secure Nigeria.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, who brought a regional perspective to the national issue. She underscored the importance of innovation, education, and inclusive policymaking in achieving a food-secure Nigeria.
"Africa's future depends on its ability to achieve food security, and this requires the full integration of technology, research, and extension services," Prof. Farauta said.
She stressed that smallholder farmers - who constitute over 70% of the agricultural workforce - must be supported through targeted policies and access to extension services. According to her, the ongoing food crisis exacerbated by climate change and economic instability calls for a unified response that includes government, academia, civil society, and the private sector.
A central theme at the conference was the precarious state of Nigeria’s food security. Participants analyzed the adverse impact of recent economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies, which have significantly increased production and transportation costs for farmers. Rising inflation and insecurity have also hampered access to farmland and food distribution, particularly in conflict-prone regions.
Several sessions were devoted to examining how agricultural extension can be leveraged to cushion these impacts. Presenters argued that well-trained extension officers, equipped with up-to-date knowledge, can help farmers navigate these challenges, adopt climate-smart practices, and improve productivity.
Discussions also focused on the strategic use of extension services to reduce hunger and poverty in rural communities - where food insecurity is most severe. Agricultural education and community-based extension programs were presented as long-term solutions for building resilient food systems.
As Nigeria grapples with the twin threats of climate change and food insecurity, participants highlighted the urgent need to integrate technology into agricultural extension services. New technologies such as precision farming, digital platforms for real-time advisory services, and mobile-based market information systems were discussed as critical innovations that can transform the sector.
Experts urged greater investment in research and development, as well as the digital training of extension workers, to empower them to deliver relevant information to farmers on climate resilience, pest and disease management, and sustainable land use.
The conference provided a unique opportunity for dialogue among institutions and stakeholders from diverse sectors. Government representatives, NGOs, academic researchers, and private agribusiness actors all emphasized the need for collaboration and capacity-building.
In a panel discussion on institutional frameworks, participants called for the restructuring of Nigeria’s extension system to enhance its responsiveness and accountability. They also highlighted the importance of policy coherence at federal and state levels, recommending stronger legislative backing for extension-related programs and more funding for infrastructure and logistics.
At the event, a representative from the private sector, reiterated the need for public-private partnerships. "We cannot solve food insecurity without the private sector's involvement in production, processing, logistics, and financing," he said. "Government must provide the enabling environment through policy and infrastructure."
One of the unique features of the conference was the inclusion of grassroots extension workers and rural farmers who shared their lived experiences. Many expressed the challenges they face in accessing training, tools, and mobility - factors that limit their reach and effectiveness.
He added that the private sector is ready to support initiatives that align with productivity and food sufficiency goals. "Let this conference be the beginning of a renewed commitment to practical reforms in agricultural extension and rural development," he urged.
Their testimonies reinforced the calls by various speakers for more investment in extension worker training, better remuneration, and professional recognition. AESON leaders stressed that without empowering the frontline workers who deliver knowledge and innovation to farmers, even the most well-designed policies would fail to reach their potential.
In a goodwill message, Professor Ahmad Sani applauded AESON for organizing the timely conference and called on stakeholders to move from dialogue to action.
"We must move beyond annual conversations to continuous implementation. Agricultural extension should be at the heart of our national development strategy, and we must build institutions that can support it," he said.
The conference concluded with a reaffirmation of AESON’s commitment to leading advocacy, capacity building, and innovation in agricultural extension. Stakeholders agreed on a roadmap for future engagement, which includes policy review sessions, establishment of innovation hubs, and the integration of extension services into national agricultural transformation plans.
AESON National President, in his closing remarks, commended Taraba State University for hosting the milestone event and thanked all participants for their invaluable contributions.
"The 30th Annual Conference is not an end but a launchpad for a new era of collaboration, reform, and impact. We envision a Nigeria where every farmer has access to the knowledge and tools needed to thrive," he said.
As Nigeria seeks sustainable solutions to its food security crisis, AESON’s 30th Annual Conference stands out as a bold step in the right direction - a platform not only for reflection but for decisive action. With renewed momentum and collaborative spirit, agricultural extension in Nigeria may yet rise to meet the challenge of feeding a nation.
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