In Ogun State, Nigeria, the consistent use of IITA’s AKILIMO recommendations by a lead farmer has not only enhanced productivity but also earned recognition from the Ogun State Government and Prof. Ruth Oniang’o, a prominent advocate for women’s empowerment through agriculture. Prof. Oniang’o praised the farmer’s discipline and long-term commitment, highlighting that such sustained application demonstrates the transformative power of AKILIMO, a tool that enables smallholder farmers to make evidence-based agronomic and business decisions. The farmer was particularly commended for showcasing a thriving maize-cassava intercrop, illustrating how institutional support and farmer motivation can ensure agricultural innovations remain relevant and effective years after training.
Since 2019, the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP) has partnered with IITA to promote AKILIMO technologies, strengthening the link between research and farmer practice. This collaboration was solidified in 2020 when the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture officially adopted AKILIMO as part of its approved extension materials, integrating the advisories into OGADEP’s extension system. Through field agents, farmer trainings, demonstration plots, and community-level advisory services, over 22,000 farmers, including 31% women, and more than 500 extension agents and lead farmers have been trained. Farmers have reported improvements in fertilizer use, planting density, intercropping practices, and post-harvest management, while also building stronger connections with markets and input suppliers, demonstrating AKILIMO’s broader economic impact.
Originally developed by IITA as a digital decision support system for cassava farmers, AKILIMO provided tailored guidance on fertilizer use, planting and weed control, intercropping methods, and planting and harvesting schedules. Over time, it evolved into a partnership-driven platform integrating public extension systems, private sector actors, and farmer organizations. The continued adoption of AKILIMO by farmers trained years ago shows that sustainability is achievable when local ownership, institutional integration, and ongoing capacity building converge, transforming AKILIMO from a digital tool into a collaborative framework that empowers farmers and strengthens the agricultural value chain.
The success of AKILIMO in Ogun State is rooted in deliberate institutional ownership and partnerships. Embedding AKILIMO within OGADEP’s extension tools, securing local government commitment, and leveraging lead farmers for peer-to-peer learning ensures continuity beyond external funding cycles. The formation of the AKILIMO Nigeria Association (ANA) further coordinates nationwide scaling, aligning public and private partners, sharing data, and co-developing strategies. Transparency in data and access to partner information have facilitated monitoring and adaptive learning, reinforcing evidence-based agricultural decision-making.
Despite challenges such as limited resources, logistical constraints, digital literacy gaps, and inconsistencies in data reporting, AKILIMO’s implementation has adapted through refresher trainings, improved digital reporting tools, and stronger partner engagement. Expansion to include maize and rice alongside cassava demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness to the evolving needs of smallholder farmers.
The story of the Ogun State farmer underscores that agricultural transformation is not only about new technologies but also about nurturing systems, people, and partnerships that ensure innovations take root and thrive. Through sustained collaboration with OGADEP, ANA, and other stakeholders, AKILIMO exemplifies how co-created, locally owned, and institutionally embedded solutions can deliver meaningful, lasting change, shaping livelihoods, empowering farmers, and inspiring agricultural transformation for years to come.
