In this landmark inaugural episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we are privileged to host Professor Stella Olusola Odebode, Professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development and current Head of Department at the University of Ibadan.

With more than four decades of experience in teaching, research, and policy, Professor Odebode is a foremost authority on gender analysis in agriculture, women’s empowerment, rural livelihoods, and the integration of digital technologies in extension services.

Her work has influenced generations of extension workers and shaped gender-responsive policies at the University of Ibadan and beyond.

In this rich and insightful conversation, Professor Odebode reflects on her journey in the field and shares expert perspectives on some of the most pressing issues in Nigerian agriculture today.

We explore:

• What digital extension truly means in the Nigerian context and how mobile technologies, data analytics, and digital tools are transforming the delivery of agricultural advisory services.
• The persistent challenges of connectivity, digital literacy, and access faced by smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth in rural communities.
• The critical and often under-recognized role of women in Nigerian agriculture, including the major gender gaps that still exist in land access, credit, technology, and extension support.
• Practical success stories from her extensive research on women cooperatives, sweet potato processing for income generation, home gardening, and other livelihood improvement initiatives.
• How traditional extension methods can effectively combine with modern digital approaches to create more inclusive systems.
• Her vision for the future of agricultural extension in Nigeria by 2035, and what universities and policymakers must do to prepare the next generation of extension professionals.
• Valuable advice for students and young graduates aspiring to build careers in digital extension or gender-focused agricultural development.

This episode goes beyond theory to offer real-world insights and actionable recommendations for making agricultural technology work for everyone, especially rural women who form the backbone of food production in Nigeria.

Whether you are an extension worker, researcher, student, policymaker, or a farmer seeking better support systems, this conversation provides deep understanding and inspiration for building a stronger, more inclusive Nigerian agricultural sector.

Guest:
Professor Stella Olusola Odebode
Professor of Agricultural Extension & Rural Development
Head of Department, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development
University of Ibadan

This marks the official launch of our recurring podcast series, which will feature leading academics, researchers, and practitioners from the University of Ibadan and beyond.

Follow The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast for more thought-provoking discussions on agricultural extension, innovation, gender, and rural development in Nigeria.

#DigitalExtension #WomeninAgriculture #WomenFarmers #GenderInequality #RuralFarmers #SmallholderFarmers #WomenParticipation #DigitalAgriculture #FarmingPodcast #AgriculturePodcast #Top10FarmingPodcast #Top10AgriculturePodcast #Top100FarmingPodcast #NigerianPodcast #AfricanPodcast #AfricanAgriculture #AgriculturalTechnology #Agritech #AgriculturalExtension #RuralDevelopment #UniversityofIbadan #ProfessorStellaOdebode #StellaOdebode #TheLasgidiFarmerPodcast #AgInisghts #AgriculturalAdvisory #WomenEmpowerment #DigitalInfrastructure #FinancialInclusion #NigeriaForemostAgriculturePodcast #AfricaForemostAgriculturePodcast #NigerianAgriculturalStudents #NigerianStudents #ExtensionAgents #CommunicationforDevelopment #WomenParticipationinFarming

In this timely and insightful episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we sit down with Professor Olugbenga O. AdeOluwa, Professor of Soil Fertility and Organic Agriculture at the University of Ibadan and Coordinator of the Organic and Agroecology Initiative (ORAIN).

Titled “GMOs in Nigeria: Promise or Poison?”, this conversation explores one of the most important debates in Nigerian agriculture today.

Professor AdeOluwa breaks down the science behind genetically modified organisms - including transgenic, cisgenic, and gene-edited crops -and examines both the promised benefits and the key concerns surrounding their adoption in Nigeria.

The discussion covers potential health and environmental risks, issues of seed sovereignty, corporate influence, and the challenges of regulation and traceability in the Nigerian context.

He also shares practical alternatives, highlighting conventional breeding, marker-assisted selection, agroecology, and organic farming as sustainable pathways that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and long-term food security.

Drawing from over two decades of research and advocacy, Professor AdeOluwa addresses common misconceptions about organic agriculture and offers clear recommendations for policymakers, farmers, and consumers who want safer, more resilient food systems.

Whether you support GMOs, have concerns, or are still forming your opinion, this episode provides balanced, evidence-based perspectives to help you think critically about the future of agriculture in Nigeria.

Key Topics Covered:

• The scientific differences between types of GMOs
• Health, environmental, and socioeconomic considerations
• Seed sovereignty and corporate control
• Regulatory and infrastructural challenges in Nigeria
• Why agroecology and organic farming matter
• Practical actions for individuals and policymakers

Listen now and join the conversation.

What are your thoughts on GMOs in Nigeria? Leave your opionion in the comments. We'd love to hear from you.

The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast: Educating. Enlightening. Empowering Nigerian Agriculture.

#GMOs #FoodSecurity #OrganicFarming #Agroecology #SustainableAgriculture #NigeriaAgriculture

Summary

This conversation delves into the appraisal and analysis of the Nigerian agriculture budget for 2025-2026, focusing on its implications for farmers, food security, and the overall economy. The discussion features insights from agricultural professionals on the effectiveness of past budgets, the importance of accountability, and the need for strategic investments in the agricultural sector. Key themes include the role of smallholder farmers, cottage industries significance, value addition, post harvest losses, mechanization, purchasing power of the budget, the necessity for fiscal responsibility, disbursement matching allocation, and local and state governments focus.

Moderators:

• Toheeb Azeez, Founder & CEO of Heebgrow Foods and The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast

• Alfred Ukane, Founder Chuvaak Agro Services & CEO Melora Farms

• Afeez Olumide Garuba, Founder Voice of The Farmers

Guest Speakers

• Oluwaseun Adeyemi (Seun): Wealth management professional at CI Financial in Canada.

• Jerry Tobi Olanrewaju: Jet Farms & Agro Solutions Ltd, Founder of Farm2C Africa, & D’More Food and Spices (nutrition-focused value addition).

Background

This is a sequel, 2nd Edition, to the first of its kind and edition held last year 2025 appraising the Nigerian agriculture budget.

This event sought to promote 2026 agriculture budget productivity, effectiveness, performance, and impact by appraising the previous year's budget and performance, learning from what failed, what worked and adapting lessons for current one.

One failure highlighted was disbursement not matching allocation and important projects starved of critical funds but while ambiguous items seized funds and never executed.

The discussion also analyzed the present budget which nearly doubled from last year reaching 1.45 trillion and with greater percentage share of the national budget.

We deliberated on whether this budget increase had much to offer and also the real purchasing power of the budget looking at different macroeconomic indices -inflation, exchange rates and production cost, etc. -from last year, and deduced that despite a higher exchange rates the purchasing power was still better with stable rates but considered the implication of importation of important inputs for farming not manufactured locally.

The budget failing to attain recommendation percentage was underscored but the increase was lauded, however, productive use of funds was emphasized.

We also looked at the incredible budgets items for instance the Renewed Hope, agric ministry HQ construction and thought the funds could be redirected to cottage industries, value addition and addressing wastages, mechanization and extension.

The need for long planning, policy transition, and accountability focusing on local government and state chapter of federal agriculture ministry were stressed.

Takeaways

• The 2025/26 Nigerian agriculture budget aims to enhance food security and support farmers.
• Accountability in budget allocation is crucial for effective implementation.
• Cottage industries can significantly improve farmers' profitability.
• Cold chain development is essential to reduce post-harvest losses.
• Investment in agriculture must focus on practical outcomes for smallholder farmers.
• The government should prioritize fiscal responsibility in budget management.
• Agricultural policies need to be consistent and long-term to be effective.
• Local governments play a vital role in agricultural development and must be held accountable.
• The budget should reflect the needs of farmers and not be politicized.
• Collaboration between government and private sectors is necessary for agricultural growth.

Sound bites

"We need to focus on industrialization."

"The budget is good, but we can do more."

"We need a 25-year agricultural plan."

Keywords

Nigerian agriculture, budget analysis, food security, smallholder farmers, agricultural policy, budget accountability, cottage industry, cold chain, fiscal responsibility, investment in agriculture