B.R. Nahata Smriti Sansthan Agricultural Extension Journal (AEXTJ)

Emerging Technologies in Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges for Future Perspective in Nigeria

J. C. Udemezue — 2026-02-02

The rapid evolution of emerging technologies is reshaping global agriculture, transitioning it from traditional
practices to data-driven, technology-enabled systems. Tools such as artificial intelligence, the internet
of things, robotics, blockchain, drones, and biotechnology are enhancing precision farming, resource
optimization, and sustainability. These innovations not only improve productivity but also contribute to food
security, climate resilience, and economic transformation. However, challenges such as high costs, poor
infrastructure, limited digital literacy, and inadequate policy frameworks constrain adoption, particularly
in developing countries like Nigeria, where smallholder farmers dominate. This review highlights the
opportunities, challenges, and future perspectives of emerging technologies in agriculture, emphasizing
their role in strengthening food systems, supporting rural development, and ensuring sustainable practices.
It suggests that deliberate investments in research, training, infrastructure, and regulatory reforms are
essential for Nigeria and other developing nations to harness these technologies for inclusive growth and
food security.

Importance of Soil Health and Water Management in Agriculture

Amit Biswas — 2026-02-02

Sustainable agriculture and food production are based on the fertility and health of the soil. Maintaining
and improving soil quality is essential as the world’s population continues to rise, putting more pressure
on agricultural fields. In order to optimize yields, industrialized agriculture has mostly relied on synthetic
fertilizers and pesticides. However, these methods have a negative impact on the environment and human
health, which is leading many farmers to switch to organic methods that focus on long-term soil vitality.
In addition to sequestering carbon, improving nutrient and water efficiency, decreasing erosion and runoff,
and fostering biodiversity both above and below the soil surface, organic amendments and regenerative
approaches hold great potential for creating healthy, rich soils. The growing worldwide water scarcity
situation, which has a significant impact on agriculture, particularly in nations like India, highlights the
need for water conservation in agriculture. Due to declining water supplies, which are made worse by
climate change, agriculture, the world’s biggest user of water, confronts serious difficulties. Hence, this
study discussed the importance of soil health and water management in agriculture.

Carbon Sequestration Projects in Desert Rural Areas and Lands of Iran: Participatory Management of Natural Resources Stabilized among Local Communities

Farhood Golmohammadi — 2026-02-02

Today, the environment and natural resources are exposed to increasingly numerous interests and demands,
which sometimes generate conflicts and the livelihood of millions of rural households worldwide is closely
related to them. The current level of livelihood dependency of local livelihood on environmental income
is reported as high in many developing countries. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight
the links between human well-being, economic advancement, and a stable environment. As mentioned and
discussed in this article, Carbon Sequestration Projects (CSPs) for Community-based Rural Development
and Sustainable Natural Resources Management in Arid and Semi-arid lands of South Khorasan province,
east of Iran, could have a tangible and important role for improving the environment and social conditions,
problems and troubles in this border, frontier, isolated and deprived area of Iran. Advocacy, extension, and
development of the community-based and button-up approach in the field of natural resources management
at the national level must be considered. Objectives of this outcome are to: Introduce the participatory
approach and the methods used by CSP to national and provincial decision makers, train and advocate the
participatory model of natural resources management, form a nationwide working group, incorporate practices
and the community-based approach of CSP into the Iranian National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
Introducing more diverse sets of profitable and less environmentally reliant income-generating activities,
along with the development of a more educated rural population, will stimulate development in rural areas,
alleviating environmental pressure on environmentally fragile ecosystems. CSP mainly addressed ensuring
the sustainability of village development groups. One of the main objectives of CSP is to have the concept
of participatory management of natural resources stabilized among local communities. In this article, the
author discusses and states the most important aspects of CSPs for Community-based Rural Development
and Sustainable Natural Resources Management in Arid and Semi-arid lands in South Khorasan province,
east of Iran.

Effectiveness of Radio in Disseminating Agricultural Information among Smallholder Farmers

Danmaigoro Aliyu — 2026-02-02

This study assesses the effectiveness of radio in disseminating agricultural information among smallholder
farmers in Suru Local Government, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Utilizing a multistage sampling procedure, data
were collected from 81 farmers via questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings
reveal that radio is a highly accessible, widely used, and positively perceived medium, well-suited to a
farming population characterized by basic education and a preference for verbal communication. However,
its effectiveness is constrained by the cost of acquiring radios and, more critically, by content-related issues
such as a lack of in-depth information, irrelevant topics, and unsuitable scheduling. The study concludes that
while radio remains a vital information source, its potential is not fully realized. It recommends enhancing
program content with interactive, local-language formats, strategically rescheduling broadcasts, subsidizing
radio costs, and integrating radio into a broader communication strategy that includes extension services and
mobile technologies to improve agricultural knowledge dissemination.

Capacity Building in Value Addition for Tribal Women through TSP

Arpita Sharma Kandpal — 2026-02-02

The study emphasizes value-addition activities such as processing, packaging, branding, and marketing of
agricultural products, which hold the potential to transform raw farm produce into profitable, market-oriented
goods. Data were collected from 500 tribal women across the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand
through structured interviews and pre–post knowledge assessments during ten value addition–based training
programmes. Findings revealed a remarkable improvement in awareness and knowledge levels as a result
of TSP interventions. Pre-training knowledge across various topics ranged from only 11–15 percent, which
significantly increased to 90–94 percent post-training, indicating an average knowledge gain of 79 percent.
Skills in mushroom processing, organic jaggery and honey products, milk value addition, bakery items, and
spices improved substantially, supported by hands-on demonstrations and participatory learning methods.
These trainings not only enhanced technical competencies but also strengthened entrepreneurial attitudes,
with many women expressing confidence in initiating micro-enterprises. Approximately 75 percent of
participants showed improved educational engagement, 65 percent adopted improved value-addition
practices, and 58 percent reported increased income through new livelihood activities. The study concludes
that the training organized under Tribal Sub Plan has been highly effective in integrating education with
livelihood security by linking traditional knowledge systems to modern techniques of value addition. The
programme significantly contributed to capacity building, women’s empowerment, and the promotion of
grassroots entrepreneurship.

Perception of School Student Parents under Mid-day Meal Scheme (MDMS) in Paschim Medinipur District of West Bengal, India

Sukanta Biswas — 2026-02-02

The mid-day meal scheme (MDMS) is one of India’s largest child welfare interventions aimed at reducing
classroom hunger and improving educational and nutritional outcomes, particularly among disadvantaged
groups. This study examines the perceptions of parents of tribal and non-tribal schoolchildren regarding
the implementation and impact of MDMS in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, a region marked
by socio-economic vulnerability and significant tribal concentration. Using a purposive-cum-random
sampling method, data were collected from parents of 240 students (120 tribal and 120 non-tribal) enrolled
in classes V–VIII across four selected schools. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used, and the
data were analyzed through percentages, Kendall’s tau correlation, and constraints ranking. Findings reveal
high participation and strong parental satisfaction, particularly among tribal households. Parents widely
acknowledged improvements in children’s health, weight, height, nutritional status, activeness, and school
attendance. Hygiene in food preparation and regularity of meal service were also positively rated. Correlation
analyses demonstrated significant associations between MDMS outcomes and parental socio-demographic
characteristics, including education, income, and family type. Despite positive impacts, constraints such as
food quality, menu monotony, inadequate cleanliness, and occasional misbehavior during food distribution
were reported. Overall, MDMS remains a vital support mechanism, especially for tribal families, enhancing
child nutrition, motivation, and school retention.

Study on the Empowerment Status of Rural Stakeholders through Ornamental Birds Rearing in the State of West Bengal, India

Sukanta Biswas — 2026-02-02

Birds contribute significantly to the environment and to human well-being by aiding in pollination,
dispersing seeds, regulating pest populations, helping in waste breakdown, and offering companionship.
In West Bengal, keeping ornamental birds is becoming increasingly popular because it demands
minimal investment, needs only a small area, and offers emotional satisfaction. This study explored
the empowerment status of rural stakeholders through ornamental bird rearing by examining their
socioeconomic, communication, and socio-psychological characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and adoption
of scientific practices along with entrepreneurial development. A total of 120 respondents from Cooch
Behar, Howrah, Hooghly, and South 24 Parganas districts were selected randomly and data were collected
using a pre-tested interview schedule. Statistical analysis was conducted using frequency, percentage,
mean, standard deviation, Kruskal–Wallis test, and correlation analysis with the Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences 20.0 software. Findings indicated that the majority of participants were in their middle age,
married and belonged to nuclear households. Income from ornamental bird rearing formed an important
part of household earnings. Respondents mainly faced constrains, such as limited technical expertise, poor
marketing infrastructure and minimal professional support. It was concluded that rural stakeholders could
be empowered and socio-economic development promoted through proper training, technical guidance
and market development in ornamental bird rearing.

Global Climate Change Effects on Milk Yield and Composition of Dairy Cattle

Alsaied A. Habeeb — 2026-02-02

Solar radiation, air movement, relative humidity, and temperature are environmental variables that affect
the well-being of dairy cows. However, the two primary factors influencing animal production are relative
air humidity and temperature. When the temperature increases outside, cows must sweat and pant more to
maintain their coolness, as their main non-evaporative cooling mechanisms (convection, conduction, and
radiation) become less effective. During humid and warm conditions, heat stress can occur when the body’s
ability to dissipate heat into the environment is insufficient compared to the amount of heat produced by
metabolism. Dairy cows under heat stress can experience a range of costly and dangerous side effects.
Elevated ambient temperatures and increased temperature-humidity index above acute thresholds are
associated with reduced feed intake, as well as milk production and milk efficiency

Analytical Study of Fecal Sample and USG on Prevalence of Complex Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Along with Effect of Various Therapeutic Agents in Canine Pets of India

Sukanta Biswas — 2026-02-02

The present analytical study was undertaken to assess the prevalence, diagnosis, and therapeutic management
of Complex inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in canine pets under Indian conditions, conducted between
June 2021 and May 2024 at the veterinary clinical complex, WBUAFS, Kolkata and selected private clinics
surrounding Kolkata, West Bengal. The study screened 29,733 dogs, of which 3,513 exhibited digestive
ailments, and 224 were confirmed IBD cases through hematological, biochemical, and fecal biomarker
analyses. Eighteen Labrador Retrievers were selected for detailed therapeutic trials and evaluated using
fecal examinations and ultrasonography. The study identified Ancylostoma spp. as the most prevalent
helminth, followed by Toxocara and Trichuris species, while Salmonella spp. was the predominant bacterial
pathogen. Ultrasonography effectively detected gut wall thickening and loss of layering characteristic of IBD.
Therapeutic evaluation revealed that conventional drugs such as prednisolone, tylosin, and metronidazole
significantly reduced fecal calprotectin levels, though long-term use was associated with side effects.
Conversely, Ayurvedic herbal preparations containing Aegle marmelos, Cyperus rotundus, Punica granatum,
and Holarrhena antidysenterica demonstrated comparable or superior efficacy in reducing intestinal
inflammation and restoring gut health, without adverse effects. The study concludes that integrating herbal
therapies with modern treatment protocols provides a safe, sustainable, and holistic approach for managing
canine IBD. These findings contribute valuable insights into diagnostic, epidemiological and therapeutic
aspects of IBD, emphasizing the importance of combining traditional and evidence-based veterinary
practices for enhanced animal health and welfare.