Strengthening human infrastructure for smart farming through competency-based assessment of extension agents in precision agriculture

The transition to sustainable agricultural systems increasingly depends on the effective adoption of precision agriculture (PA) technologies. In the United States, Extension agents serve as key facilitators of agricultural innovation and play a critical role in supporting farmers through this transition. However, gaps in professional competencies can hinder their ability to promote and implement PA practices. This study conducted a needs assessment among agricultural Extension agents to evaluate perceived importance and organizational support for 13 core competencies essential to PA adoption. Findings revealed that the most significant needs for support from the Cooperative Extension Service included equipment operational skill, strategy execution, and problem-solving. These gaps highlighted that Extension agents perceived persistent gaps in their capacity to promote PA-related competencies. The Cooperative Extension Services must incorporate a balance of technical, operational, and soft skills to enhance Extension agents’ capacity to facilitate the adoption of precision agriculture. The study recommended that Extension systems inventory existing training resources, reallocate efforts, and invest in addressing the identified competency gaps presented in this study. Investing in the competencies needed for Extension agents will prepare them to effectively communicate precision agriculture practices and facilitate the adoption of the rapidly evolving precision agriculture technologies toward sustainable agriculture.