It has become difficult to articulate the impacts, needs and challenges of digitalization of agriculture due to the extensive nature of publications relating to the digitalization of the agricultural sector. This review evaluated the effect of digitalization of agriculture on improved food production and standard of living, identified the training needs of extension staff and clientele for digitalization of agriculture, and highlighted the challenges of digitalization of agriculture. From an initial search of 208 articles, only 87 articles met the inclusion criteria using the PRISMA guidelines. Most articles were published between 2016 and 2020; more studies were carried out in the South Western region of the country. Digitalization of agriculture has reduced the role of middlemen, provided opportunities for farmers to expand their markets, and improved the linkage between extension and research centers, and productivity and livelihood of small-scale farmers. Training needs for effective digitalization of agriculture were in skills, use of relevant digital services, digital privacy and security risks. Challenges of digitalization of agriculture were lack of technical skill, poor infrastructure and high cost of purchase and maintenance. The government should focus on initiating agricultural technology transfer programs and provide the necessary rural infrastructure to support the sector's digitalisation.

This study examined the relationship between the adoption of bio-fortified provitamin- A cassava varieties and farming households’ health outcomes using cross sectional data obtained from 318 cassava farmers in southeast Nigeria. The data was analysed using binary logistic regression, propensity score matching of treatment effects and percentages. The study found that number of children under five, household size, education of head of household, extension service, ownership of television, radio, mobile phone and tricycle, membership of cooperative societies, and access to credit were the significant predictors of adoption of pro-vitamin-A bio-fortified cassava varieties in the States. The study also found that the main constraints militating against adoption of pro-vitamin-A bio-fortified cassava include decaying of roots immediately after maturation,high cost of cassava stem, and high moisture content. The estimate of the effect of the adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties onincidence of vitamin-A deficiency related diseases was significant with an average treatment effect on the adopters of -0.463. The adoption of bio- fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties has substantial effect on the reduction of vitamin-A deficiency related health outcomes. There is need for wider awareness and dissemination of the varieties among cassava farmers, while interventions should target the promotion of both production and consumption of such cassava varieties. Key words: adoption of bio-fortified cassava varieties; vitamin A deficiency related diseases

The present study measured household hunger in South-East Nigeria amidst the COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 1209 households (urban and rural locations) were sampled. Household hunger was determined using the Radimer–Cornel hunger scale. Results show that before the COVID-19 lockdown, hunger prevalence in the urban areas was 85.5%, whereas prevalence in the rural areas was significantly lower, at a prevalence of 79.9% (7.3% level of association—X² = 6.499, p = 0.012). During the COVID-19 lockdown, the prevalence of hunger in the urban areas rose to 98.0% and 99.2% in the rural areas (4.9% level of association was X² = 2.888, p = 0.089). It was also observed that the COVID-19 lockdown significantly affected food prices. The major coping strategy employed by households was relying on less expensive foods (81.14%). High household hunger was identified as a short-term cost of the COVID-19 lockdown in South-East Nigeria. Only a few households (16.3%) benefited from the food aid programs and 16.9% from the government palliative cash transfer. It is recommended that the government setup a formidable unit that will develop physical and digital plans for effective implementation during a COVID-19 lockdown situation or other emergencies.

The study assessed the effects of climate-smart agricultural practices on cassava farmers’ output in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents. Data were analysed using percentages, mean statistics and correlation analysis. The results show that early planting was adopted by 100% of farmers. However, a lack of credit (78.33%) was ranked as the highest constraint. A statistically significant positive correlation (0.3131) was found between climate-smart agricultural practices and output. The study concludes that early planting practices are widely adopted, while lack of credit presents a significant challenge to adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices. Despite these challenges, CSA practices were found to have the ability to enhance cassava farmers’ output. To overcome these challenges, the study recommends implementing robust extension services, providing financial support, and offering education programmes to promote CSA adoption among farmers.

The study assessed gender-based constraints in accessing agricultural resources in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 120 respondents. Data were collected from the respondents through interview schedules and analysed using means, and regression analysis. Results revealed that male respondents faced constraints such as lack of collateral (x̄ = 2.62), inadequate finance (x̄ = 2.60), unfavourable government policies (x̄ = 2.80), and lack of access to credit (3.08). Female respondents encountered constraints such as lack of collateral (x̄ = 2.82), land tenure system (x̄ = 3.00), inadequate finance (x̄ = 3.20), discriminatory social norms (x̄ = 3.22), and lack of access to credit (x̄ = 3.14). Males exhibited high accessibility to information (x̄ = 3.52), labour (x̄ = 2.94), land (x̄ = 3.80), agrochemicals (x̄ = 3.36), improved cuttings/seedlings (x̄ = 3.40), and credit (x̄ = 3.80), while females demonstrated high accessibility to information (x̄ = 3.26), labour (x̄ = 4.00), agrochemicals (x̄ = 2.80), and improved cuttings/seedlings (x̄ = 3.28). The study concluded that gender-based discrimination exists in resource access and government, NGOs, and community leaders recommended interventions to address social norms, tenures, and barriers. Therefore, implementing these recommendations is crucial to promoting equal access and control over agricultural resources for both genders.