Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology
School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) • Federal University of Technology, Akure
About the Department
The Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) is a pioneering center for agricultural education and rural development in Nigeria. Our program bridges the critical gap between agricultural research and practical application in farming communities across the nation.
Agricultural Extension Services are vital for Nigeria's agricultural transformation, providing farmers with the information, knowledge, and skills needed to adopt modern and improved agricultural practices. Our curriculum integrates traditional extension methods with cutting-edge information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance knowledge dissemination and agricultural productivity.
The department focuses on the comprehensive study of agricultural systems, communication strategies, extension education methodologies, rural sociology, and agricultural innovation diffusion. We train extension officers, agricultural educators, communication specialists, and rural development practitioners who serve as catalysts for agricultural transformation and food security.
Our graduates work with government agencies, international development organizations, agricultural research institutes, agribusiness companies, and non-governmental organizations to improve farming practices, increase agricultural productivity, enhance farmers' income, and contribute to Nigeria's economic growth and sustainable development.
What We Offer
Academic Programs
- B.Tech in Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology - 4-year undergraduate program
- M.Tech in Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology - Postgraduate studies
- Ph.D. in Agricultural Extension - Doctoral research programs
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) - Professional development
Specialized Training Areas
- Extension Education and Adult Learning
- Agricultural Communication and Media
- Rural Sociology and Community Development
- ICT Applications in Agriculture
- Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer
- Farmer Training and Capacity Building
- Agricultural Policy and Program Planning
- Agribusiness Development and Entrepreneurship
Practical Training Facilities
Communication Studio
Radio production, video editing, multimedia content creation
ICT Training Lab
Digital agriculture tools, mobile apps, GIS applications
Community Outreach Center
Field demonstrations, farmer training programs, workshops
Research Focus Areas
Our department conducts impactful research to strengthen agricultural extension systems and improve rural livelihoods:
ICT and Digital Agriculture
Development and utilization of mobile applications, social media platforms, e-extension systems, and digital tools for agricultural information dissemination and farmer advisory services in the digital age.
Agricultural Innovation Adoption
Studies on factors influencing farmers' adoption of improved agricultural technologies, analysis of innovation diffusion patterns, and strategies to accelerate uptake of sustainable farming practices.
Extension Education and Adult Learning
Research on effective teaching methods for farmers, participatory extension approaches, farmers' learning preferences, and capacity building strategies for agricultural extension workers and rural communities.
Agricultural Communication Strategies
Development of effective communication campaigns, media utilization in agriculture, indigenous knowledge documentation, and communication strategies for climate change adaptation and food security messaging.
Rural Development and Livelihoods
Assessment of rural development programs, poverty alleviation strategies, gender mainstreaming in agriculture, youth engagement in farming, and sustainable livelihood enhancement in rural communities.
Agricultural Policy and Impact Assessment
Analysis of agricultural extension policies, program evaluation, impact assessment of extension interventions, and policy recommendations for strengthening extension service delivery systems.
Climate-Smart Agriculture Extension
Extension strategies for promoting climate-resilient farming practices, farmers' adaptation to climate change, sustainable agricultural intensification, and environmental conservation education.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology enjoy diverse career opportunities in both public and private sectors:
Agricultural Extension Officer
Government extension services, state ADPs, federal ministry of agriculture, providing technical support and training to farmers
Agricultural Communication Specialist
Media houses, agricultural programs, farm radio, agricultural journalism, content creation for agricultural platforms
International Development Organizations
FAO, World Bank, IFAD, USAID, NGOs working on agricultural development and food security projects
Research & Academia
Universities, agricultural research institutes, IITA, CGIAR centers, extension research and teaching positions
Agribusiness & Private Sector
Input companies, agro-allied industries, farmer training coordinators, outgrower scheme managers
Community Development Officer
Rural development agencies, cooperative societies, community-based organizations, grassroots development programs
Agricultural ICT Specialist
Agri-tech companies, digital agriculture platforms, e-extension services, agricultural app development
Agricultural Consultant
Independent consultancy, project management, program evaluation, agricultural policy advisory services
Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment
Agricultural training centers, consultancy firms, farm advisory services, agricultural media production
Course Materials & Resources
Access comprehensive learning materials, recommended textbooks, lecture notes, and study resources organized by academic level.
100 Level Resources
Foundation courses in basic sciences, agriculture principles, and communication fundamentals.
First Semester
Comprehensive Study Resources Available
All 100 Level first semester materials including lecture notes, past questions, textbooks, and practical guides are available in our offline study packs.
Access Offline Study PacksSecond Semester
Complete Course Materials
Second semester study materials covering basic agriculture, general sciences, and communication skills are fully available for download.
Go to Offline Study PacksFoundation Year Courses
100 Level focuses on building foundations in basic sciences and agriculture. Courses include Introduction to Agriculture, General Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Communication Skills, and Computer Applications.
200 Level Resources
Introduction to agricultural extension principles, communication theory, and rural sociology.
Introduction to Extension Education
Principles of extension, history, philosophy, extension teaching methods
Agricultural Communication
Communication theory, models, barriers, channels, interpersonal communication
Rural Sociology
Rural community structure, social systems, rural-urban migration, social change
Crop Production
Principles of crop production, agronomy, soil management, cropping systems
Animal Production
Livestock management, breeds, nutrition, housing, disease management
Agricultural Statistics
Data collection, descriptive statistics, sampling, survey methods
Download 200 Level Materials
Complete course materials, lecture notes, practical manuals, and past examination questions.
Access Study Packs300 Level Resources
Specialized extension methods, program planning, and agricultural innovation systems.
Extension Teaching Methods
Individual, group, mass methods, demonstrations, field days, farmer training
Program Planning & Evaluation
Needs assessment, program design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation
Diffusion of Innovations
Innovation adoption process, change agents, adoption categories, diffusion models
Mass Media in Agriculture
Radio, television, print media, agricultural journalism, media production
Gender in Agriculture
Gender roles, women in agriculture, gender mainstreaming, empowerment
Agricultural Cooperatives
Cooperative principles, organization, management, farmer organizations
ICT in Extension
E-extension, mobile applications, digital platforms, information systems
Farm Management
Farm business planning, record keeping, financial management, enterprise analysis
Practical Field Work
Extension Practicals
Conducting demonstrations, organizing farmer meetings, preparing extension materials, field surveys
Community Attachment
Rural community immersion, participatory rural appraisal, farmer needs assessment
400 Level Resources
Advanced extension administration, research methods, and undergraduate project.
Extension Administration
Extension systems, organization, policy, leadership, personnel management
Research Methods
Research design, sampling, data collection, analysis, proposal writing
Sustainable Agriculture
Organic farming, conservation agriculture, agroecology, environmental sustainability
Climate Change & Agriculture
Climate impacts, adaptation strategies, mitigation, climate-smart agriculture
Agribusiness & Marketing
Value chains, market systems, agricultural marketing, entrepreneurship
Rural Development
Development theories, poverty reduction, livelihood strategies, impact assessment
Agricultural Policy
Policy formulation, analysis, implementation, agricultural transformation agenda
Undergraduate Project
Independent research, thesis writing, data analysis, defense presentation
Final Year Research Project
400 Level students conduct independent research in areas such as:
- Adoption and impact of agricultural technologies
- Effectiveness of extension teaching methods and programs
- ICT utilization in agricultural information dissemination
- Farmers' perceptions and adaptation to climate change
- Gender issues in agricultural development
- Communication strategies for sustainable agriculture
- Rural livelihood diversification and food security
500 Level Resources
Advanced courses for 500 Level students in agricultural extension and communication.
Final Year Program
Advanced Research Methods
Quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, advanced statistics
Extension Theory
Extension philosophies, learning theories, adult education principles
Comparative Extension Systems
Extension models worldwide, best practices, system reforms
Thesis Research
Original research, academic writing, thesis defense
Postgraduate Research Areas
- ICT and Digital Extension Systems
- Innovation Adoption and Diffusion
- Extension Program Evaluation
- Participatory Extension Approaches
- Climate Change Communication
- Gender and Youth in Agriculture
- Agricultural Policy Analysis
- Rural Livelihoods and Food Security
Contact the Department
Department Office
Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology
School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT)
Federal University of Technology, Akure
PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
gabriel@legacybygabriel.com.ng
+234 (0) 913-209-1205
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: By Appointment
Sunday: Closed