Empowering Extension to Scale Agricultural Innovations: TAAT and Partners Strengthen Nigeria’s Last-Mile Delivery

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September 5, 2026

Empowering Extension to Scale Agricultural Innovations: TAAT and Partners Strengthen Nigeria’s Last-Mile Delivery

TAAT engages Extension Master-Trainers in Nigeria

Agricultural transformation does not end when a new technology is developed. It begins when farmers can access, understand, adopt and profit from it.

Recognising the critical role of extension services in this process, the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), working with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, CGIAR Scaling for Impact Programme, the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA), the NAGS-AP Secretariat and other partners, is strengthening the capacity of agricultural extension professionals to accelerate the delivery of proven innovations to farmers.

The partners are convening a National Training Workshop for Extension Master-Trainers focusing on maize, rice and wheat from 7–11 September 2026 in Dutse, Jigawa State, under the theme “Empowering Extension to Scale Agricultural Innovations.”

Tackling the Extension Challenge

Nigeria’s agricultural extension system faces significant constraints. With an estimated extension agent-to-farmer ratio of between 1:5,000 and 1:10,000, extension personnel face enormous challenges in providing farmers with timely technical advice. Limited funding, inadequate logistics, technical capacity gaps and insufficient digital platforms further constrain last-mile delivery.

The training is designed to address these gaps by equipping extension professionals with current knowledge, practical tools and innovative approaches that can be cascaded across farming communities.

Harnessing the TAAT Technology Capital

TAAT’s comparative advantage lies in its ability to connect the CGIAR science and innovation pipeline to large-scale agricultural transformation programmes.

Through its commodity and enabler compacts, TAAT brings together expertise across wheat, rice, maize, soybean, cassava, vegetables, livestock, aquaculture, water, soil fertility, policy, capacity development and youth entrepreneurship.

The workshop will translate this technology capital into practical extension knowledge, including climate-smart agriculture, soil health, integrated nutrient management, pest and disease management, improved seed systems, digital agriculture, market development and financial linkages.

Taking Digital Extension to the Last Mile

Digital transformation is another important component of the programme.

Participants will be introduced to mobile-based advisory services, GIS and remote sensing, data collection and analysis, and digital tools for decision-making. These technologies can help extension professionals deliver more timely, targeted and data-driven advice to farmers.

Building a Cascade That Can Reach 500,000 Farmers

Perhaps the most important feature of the initiative is its potential multiplier effect.

The 100 master trainers are expected to cascade their knowledge to frontline extension agents and farmer organisations, with an estimated 500,000 farmers targeted for training through the cascading process.

The approach creates a chain of knowledge transfer: TAAT and technical experts → Master Trainers → Frontline Extension Agents → Farmer Organisations/Lead Farmers → Last-Mile Farmers

This provides a practical mechanism for moving proven agricultural innovations from research and investment programmes into farming communities.

From Training to Action

The workshop will conclude with country-specific cascading plans, a monitoring and reporting framework, and certification of participants as trainers.

For TAAT and its partners, strengthening extension is ultimately about strengthening agricultural transformation itself.

When extension works, innovation travels. When innovation travels, farmers have a greater opportunity to produce more, earn more and build resilience. The workshop represents another step towards ensuring that Nigeria’s investments in agricultural technologies are matched by the human capacity required to deliver them to the last mile.

Capacity Development and Technology Outreach, Maize, Rice, Wheat