From Information to Impact: Rethinking Agricultural Extension and Rural Development in a Changing World

What does agricultural extension need to becomein a rapidly changing world?

This speech began after Professor O.O Oyedele, the Director of Research at NIHORT (National Institute for Horticultural Research) had given a brilliant lecture on the evolution of agriculture and agricultural extension and the challenges, condensing a long history into 40mins lecture while also exposing to the opportunities and giving thoughts about the future.

Toheeb Azeez on mounting the podium for his keynote speech asked if the students present had recorded the lecture as he found it deeply insightful giving him a succinct refresher of what he had learnt in his undergraduate days.

He reminded of societal changes to globalization and multiculturalism and told a funny story revealed to him in a podcast conversation with Emeritus Professor Janice E. OIawoye (an American married to a Yoruba Nigerian and had lecture at the University of Ibadan) where in her early days of settling in Nigeria Prof. Olawoye would take public transports in Ibadan and people would say things in Yoruba not knowing she understands Yoruba, where she would say ẹṣe (thank you in Yoruba) on alighting and the co-passengers would get stunned.

Toheeb proceeded to preparing the listeners for an expansive thinking of agricultural extension informing of his podcast conversation with Professor Kehinde Thomas (that ably represented the H.O.D Professor Olutokunbo Oyesola) where he had viewed extension practice as operating in the "Market Place of Development" portraying depth of activities and possibilities.

Azeez then spoke briefly to Professor Oyedele about the low diversity of reared fish species in Nigeria compared to many varieties of crops. He did so to stir the research and knowledge gaps that he would touch on in his presentations. Toheeb Azeez then dived into the keynote speech fully.

In this keynote delivered at the Professor Janice E. Olawoye Personality Lecture during AERDSA Week ’26, Toheeb Azeez explores the changing role of agricultural extension and rural development and why the future must go beyond simply transferring information to farmers.

The central question is simple but important: In a world where information is everywhere, why are so many farmers,young people and rural communities still disconnected from the knowledge,opportunities, technologies, markets and systems that could improve theirlives?

The address examines the gap between information and impact, and explores how agricultural extension can evolve from traditional information delivery toward problem-solving, meaningful communication, innovation, opportunity creation and stronger connections between research, practice and communities.

The keynote also considers:

• Why information does not automatically translate into impact
• The changing role of agricultural extension professionals
• Digital technology, AI and the future of extension
• Connecting agricultural research with real-world practice
• The importance of agricultural communication
• Preparing students and young professionals for a changing agricultural sector
• Moving beyond the search for jobs toward value creation and entrepreneurship
• The role of universities in shaping the future of agriculture
• Why extension must increasingly look beyond the farmand engage with the wider food and development system

The conversation ultimately challenges a new generation of agricultural professionals to think differently about knowledge, communication, opportunity and impact.

🎙️ Keynote: Toheeb Azeez
Professor Janice E. Olawoye PersonalityLecture | AERDSA Week ’26

Listen, reflect, and join the conversation onthe future of agricultural extension and rural development.

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