The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture through Extension Services in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study examined the role of Artificial Intelligence in promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture through extension services by analyzing the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, their perceptions of AI in mitigating climate change, factors influencing AI adoption, and challenges hindering AI deployment in Kaduna State. Using a multi-stage sampling approach, 200 smallholder farmers were selected. Findings revealed that 70% of the farmers were male, with a mean age of 43 years. Most farmers operated small-scale farms (mean size = 2.3 hectares), with only 42.5% having access to extension services and 70% lacking access to credit. Farmers’ perceptions of AI in mitigating climate change were mostly positive, with climate forecasting (3.20), pest and disease detection (3.28), and early warning systems (3.33) being the most valued applications. Concerns were expressed regarding the AI’s complexity (2.40). Logit regression analysis identified education (p = 0.000) and cooperative membership (p = 0.001) as highly significant (1%) predictors of AI adoption. Gender (p = 0.044), farming experience (p = 0.007), and extension contact (p = 0.019) were significant at the 5% level, while age (p = 0.072), farm size (p = 0.077), and credit access (p = 0.073) were significant at 10%. Kendall’s W (0.732, p = 0.000) showed strong agreement among farmers regarding AI adoption challenges, with high cost (mean rank = 6.13) and limited internet access (6.00) being the most pressing barriers. Addressing these challenges through financial support and improved infrastructure could enhance AI adoption and strengthen CSA implementation in Kaduna State.