Remote Sensing Applications in Agricultural Extension Services in Kano State

Agricultural extension services in Nigeria face the persistent challenge of reaching geographically dispersed smallholder farmers with accurate, timely, and location-specific agricultural information. This study examines the application of remote sensing data products in improving the targeting and delivery of extension services in Kano State. Vegetation condition data derived from MODIS NDVI products and Sentinel-2 imagery are used to produce seasonal crop performance maps for three LGAs in the Kano Agricultural Development Programme's operational area. These maps are evaluated as tools to guide extension agents in identifying communities requiring priority intervention for drought stress management and input supply. A structured assessment of extension agents' capacity to interpret and apply remote sensing outputs is conducted through questionnaires and skills workshops. Results indicate that 67 percent of field-level extension agents lack the technical literacy to independently use remote sensing products, underscoring the need for capacity building. A simplified web-based mapping dashboard is proposed to translate complex satellite data into action-oriented advisories for extension officers. Keywords: remote sensing, agricultural extension, Kano State, crop monitoring, extension services