From Field Visits to Digital Assistance: Is This the Future of Agricultural Extension?

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It’s early 2025, and Aline, a bean farmer in rural Rwanda, is worried. Her crops are wilting, their leaves were marked by unusual spots, and yields have been declining. The local extension officer is days away, and the advice she’s received from neighbours hasn’t worked. Then she hears about Tubura during a community meeting. 

Curious, Aline borrows her cousin’s phone and dials the helpline. A crop specialist listens carefully and asks a few questions about her farming practices. They suggest a treatment for fungal infection and provide tips on improving soil health to avoid similar issues in the future. Aline feels hopeful for the first time in months.  

This is a picture of the evolution of agricultural extension services in developing economies—from field visits to digital solutions that put advice at farmers’ fingertips. But you might ask, could these digital solutions be the game changer for extension? Let’s dive in to find out.  

From On-Farm Advice to Digital Tools: The Evolution of Extension Services

Agricultural extension services have always been shaped by the needs of their time. In the early 20th century, these services were fragmented, often reliant on local governments, agricultural societies, or universities. Their primary focus was providing basic farming advice to a relatively small network of farmers. Even in this modest form, they laid the foundation for a larger vision by connecting science to the farm.  

By the mid-century, the ecosystem began to change. Extension programs matured, with greater organization and broader reach. For many countries in the Global South, especially in Africa, the emphasis shifted toward empowering smallholder farmers—the backbone of agricultural economies. This period saw the rise of innovative approaches, like the training-and-visit model, aimed at improving yields and food security for resource-poor farmers.  

In contrast, commercial farmers in wealthier nations grappled with surplus production and environmental challenges. This prompted extension services to diversify further. Beyond production, they began addressing socioeconomic concerns—helping farmers explore alternative income streams, adopt sustainable practices, and cope in the face of shifting policies.  

Today, the shift toward digital tools represents the next phase in this evolution. Mobile advisory apps, remote sensing, and AI-driven insights are transforming how farmers access critical information. 

How Technology is Transforming Farmer Outreach

Traditional methods of face-to-face interactions, while effective, are often constrained by limited resources, time, and geographical barriers. But technology is stepping in to bridge these gaps by offering scalable and innovative solutions tailored to the modern farmer’s needs.

Here’s how technology is making that difference:

• Mobile Advisory Platforms: Farmers can now receive tailored advice via mobile apps and SMS services. These tools provide real-time solutions on crop management, pest control, and market prices.
• Digital Farmer Registries: Comprehensive databases help extension agents understand farmers’ specific needs, which then enables targeted support for those in remote or underserved areas.
• Remote Sensing and GIS Tools: Satellite imagery and geographic information systems allow for precise monitoring of crop health, soil conditions, and weather patterns. It empower farmers with actionable insights.
• E-Learning and Virtual Training: Digital platforms offer workshops, videos, and tutorials. This agricultural knowledge accessible to even the most isolated communities.
• AI and Predictive Analytics: Advanced algorithms analyse data to forecast potential challenges such as pest outbreaks or droughts.
• Digital Marketplaces: Platforms connect farmers directly to buyers, reducing reliance on middlemen and ensuring better returns for their produce.

Some Benefits of Digital Outreach in Extension

• Scalability: Technology can reach thousands of farmers simultaneously, while overcoming the logistical challenges of traditional extension models.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Reduced travel and operational costs make it more feasible to support large farming communities.
• Timeliness: Instant access to information ensures farmers can respond quickly to challenges like pests or changing market conditions.
• Inclusivity: Women, youth, and marginalized farmers, often left out of traditional services, can access equal opportunities through digital platforms.

Source: Marshal Papworth

Blended Approach: Field Visits in the Digital Era

Even as digital tools reshape agricultural extension, field visits still hold a vital place in agricultural extension. These visits bring a different approach of connection and insight that digital tools alone can’t fully replicate.

Rather than being replaced by technology, field visits can work alongside inorder to have a balanced approach. Together, they would ensure agricultural extension remains both personal and precise in the extension delivery ecosystem. 

The most effective extension models combine digital methods with strategic field visits. For instance:

• Digital tools like GIS mapping can identify areas that need attention, as a result, it guides extension agents to where their visits will have the greatest impact.
• After initial consultations through apps or SMS, field visits can address more complex or unresolved issues in the target location. 

Field visits, paired with technology, would ensure that farmers benefit from both the scale of digital outreach and the depth of personalised support.

Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Agricultural Extension 

As digital agricultural extension gains momentum, it brings both hurdles and prospects for transformation. Truly, it promises to address long-standing issues in field-based services, but there are notable challenges to overcome. Here are few: 

Challenges

• Connectivity issues in remote areas hinder the scalability of digital solutions.
• Digital literacy remains a barrier for farmers unfamiliar with technology most especially in developing nations. 
• High costs of smartphones and data limit access for smallholder farmers.
• Cultural resistance and trust issues may hinder the adoption of digital methods.

Opportunities

• Digital tools allow extension services to reach remote and underserved regions.
• Real-time data on crops, weather, and markets empowers farmers to make informed decisions.
• Digital solutions reduce the cost of delivering extension services. 
• Personalised, data-driven advice can be tailored to individual farmers’ needs.

Despite these challenges, the potential for digital extension to transform agricultural practices offers both efficiency and effectiveness for the future of farming.

Wrap Up 

Could digital solutions be the future of agricultural extension? Absolutely! For farmers like Aline in remote areas, such platforms are a lifeline that bridges the gap between challenges in the field and expert solutions. 

The future of farmer engagement will likely involve combining these methods. It effectively makes farming advice more accessible, efficient, and sustainable for farmers in developing economies and beyond.