Covid-19 pandemic and beyond: utilizing digital ICT tools for transfer of agricultural innovations to farmers

Abstract

© 2021 Sharon. D. Samuel. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. Abstract Agricultural Extension Services (AES) have been restricted due the Covid-19 guidelines set up by the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the Nigerian Government, thereby limiting farmers’ access to new innovations. The research utilized relevant literature on the subject to better understand how the coronavirus pandemic has affected AES and farmers. The study also suggests various means through which Digital tools can be utilized in order to propel agricultural production in time when Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) find it difficult to reach farmers. It was discovered that the pandemic creates opportunities for utilization of digital ICTs to contact farmers specifically when physical contacts are restricted. The utilization of Digital communication tools creates an enabling environment to access new agricultural innovations from any part of the world. AEAs can therefore transfer new innovations to farmers as well as other stakeholders in a challenging time as this and even beyond.