From Intervention to Transformation: How AKILIMO Continues to Shape Ogun State's Agricultural Future and Success

When agricultural innovation endures beyond a project’s lifespan, it symbolizes true transformation. In Ogun State, Nigeria, a lead farmer’s consistent use of IITA’s AKILIMO recommendations has not only improved productivity but also earned formal recognition from the Ogun State Government and Prof. Ruth Oniang’o, Executive Director of the Rural Outreach Program and renowned advocate for women’s empowerment through agriculture.

Prof. Oniang’o, a respected leader in African agricultural development and former Kenyan parliamentarian, commended the farmer’s discipline and long-term commitment during a recent event. She emphasized that such consistency “reflects the transformative power of AKILIMO”, a tool designed to help smallholder farmers make evidence-based agronomic and business decisions. She added, “The farmer’s dedication to applying AKILIMO recommendations over the years embodies the essence of sustainable agriculture. It highlights the power of consistent effort and strong institutional support to transform livelihoods and ensure food security.” The farmer was especially lauded for successfully showcasing a thriving maize-cassava intercrop.

This acknowledgment underscores a vital truth: agricultural innovations remain relevant and effective years after training when institutional systems and farmer motivation align.

Driving Change through the OGADEP–AKILIMO Partnership

Since 2019, the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP) has promoted AKILIMO technologies, working closely with IITA to strengthen the link between research and farmer practice. The partnership was solidified in 2020 when the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture officially adopted AKILIMO as one of its approved extension materials. This endorsement enabled the integration of AKILIMO advisories into OGADEP’s extension system, ensuring that thousands of farmers nationwide benefit from site-specific agronomic guidance.

Through this collaboration, OGADEP leveraged its extensive network of field agents to conduct farmer trainings, establish demonstration plots, and facilitate community-level advisory services. Over 22,000 farmers (31% women) have been reached, and more than 500 extension agents and lead farmers have been trained, ensuring the continuity of AKILIMO delivery at the grassroots level. Farmers have reported notable improvements in fertilizer application efficiency, planting density, intercropping practices, and post-harvest management. These gains have translated into stronger linkages with markets and input suppliers, evidence that AKILIMO’s value extends beyond agronomy to support broader economic empowerment.

AKILIMO: From Tool to Transformative Model

IITA and its partners developed AKILIMO, initially designed as a digital decision support system to provide cassava farmers with tailored recommendations, including:

• Customized fertilizer recommendations
• Best practices for planting and weed control
• Optimal intercropping methods
• Scheduled planting and harvesting timelines

Farmers report significant improvements in their fertilizer use, spacing, and planting density knowledge. These gains have strengthened connections with markets and input suppliers.

Thompson Ogunsanmi, who coordinates AKILIMO use with OGADEP remarked, “Our commitment at IITA is to empower farmers with innovative tools like AKILIMO that deliver practical, science-based solutions. This recognition in Ogun State is a testament to how digital agricultural technologies can drive real, lasting impact on the ground.”

Over time, however, it has evolved into a comprehensive partnership-driven platform integrating public extension systems, private sector actors, and farmer organizations.

Farmers report significant improvements in their fertilizer use, spacing, and planting density knowledge. These gains have strengthened connections with markets and input suppliers.

The Ogun State experience highlights this evolution clearly, demonstrating that AKILIMO has evolved beyond a digital tool into a collaborative framework that empowers farmers, strengthens institutions, and enhances coordination across the agricultural value chain. The continued use of AKILIMO recommendations by farmers trained several years ago illustrates that sustainability is achievable when local ownership, institutional integration, and ongoing capacity building converge.

Institutional Ownership and Partnership for Sustainability

The enduring success of AKILIMO in Ogun State rests on deliberate efforts to embed the innovation within local systems, anchored in a comprehensive partnership with the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP). Since 2019, OGADEP has been a key promoter of AKILIMO tools across the state.

Key factors supporting this longevity include:

• Institutional Integration: Embedding AKILIMO into OGADEP extension tools ensures sustainability.
• Local Ownership: State and local government area (LGA) commitment guarantees continuity beyond external projects.
• Community Structure: Lead farmers at the community level drive AKILIMO scaling through ongoing peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing.

The lead farmer structure, supported by OGADEP’s extension network, ensures continuous peer-to-peer learning and knowledge transfer at the community level. Institutional ownership at the state and local government levels has allowed the program to thrive beyond external funding cycles.

A critical milestone was reached in 2020 when the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture officially adopted AKILIMO as part of its approved extension materials. This endorsement enabled seamless integration of AKILIMO advisories into OGADEP’s extension system, strengthening links with local farming communities through agronomic training and field demonstrations.

Through this vast network, OGADEP has delivered advisory services to over 22,000 farmers, including 31% women, trained more than 500 extension agents, and led farmers to ensure grassroots continuity.

A key driver of sustained collaboration is the AKILIMO Nigeria Association (ANA),  a multi-stakeholder platform coordinating efforts to scale AKILIMO nationwide. ANA’s structure brings together public and private partners to align resources, share data, and co-develop strategies for scaling. This collective approach exemplifies how co-creation and coordination can transform an innovation into a movement.

Transparency in data and open access to partner information have also been critical for monitoring progress and refining approaches. As more institutions adopt digital monitoring and evaluation systems, AKILIMO’s framework offers a model for evidence-based decision-making and real-time learning within agricultural development programs.

Adapting to Challenges

Like any transformative initiative, AKILIMO’s journey in Ogun State has presented challenges that have shaped its growth. Limited resources and logistical constraints initially hindered field follow-up, prompting more efficient partner coordination and better prioritization of activities. Digital literacy gaps among farmers and some extension agents underscore the need for continuous training and inclusivity in digital agriculture.

Data reporting inconsistencies among certain partners highlighted the importance of technical support and performance incentives to sustain accountability. Yet these hurdles spurred innovation, leading to refresher trainings, improved digital reporting tools, and stronger partner engagement frameworks.

Another critical lesson has been the need for diversification. As AKILIMO expands to include maize and rice alongside cassava, it demonstrates flexibility and adaptability, ensuring that its recommendations meet the evolving needs of smallholder farmers across crops and regions.

A Testament to Enduring Innovation

The story of the Ogun State farmer recognized for sustained use of AKILIMO is a powerful reflection of what happens when innovation meets commitment and institutional support. It affirms that agricultural transformation is not just about introducing new technologies but about nurturing systems, people, and partnerships that ensure innovations take root and thrive.

Through collaboration with OGADEP, the continued leadership of ANA, and integration with OGADEP, AKILIMO proves that co-created digital solutions can drive meaningful, lasting change. Its success in Ogun State underscores a vital truth for agricultural development: when innovations are locally owned, supported by policy, and embedded within strong institutions, their impact transcends seasons, shaping livelihoods, empowering farmers, and inspiring transformation for years to come.

The story of this recognized farmer powerfully illustrates that when innovation is locally owned, policy-supported, and institutionally embedded, its impact transcends seasons, shaping livelihoods and inspiring transformation for years to come.

For more information about AKILIMO visit https://akilimo.org/