INTEGRATING DIGITAL AGRICULTURE INTO THE UNDERGRADUATE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES FOR VOCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The Education sector and Vocational Education in particular is facing global challenges that cannot be met without support by Information Technologies (IT). However, emerging technologies and their integration open the way for the development of integrated digital environments that could improve teaching and learning process in Agricultural Education. The paper discusses the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Digital Agriculture and principles for development/implementation of Digital Agriculture into Agricultural Education Programme. The paper concluded that digital agriculture is a burgeoning field that can provides important insights of digital technologies to agricultural education students with a view to optimize technologies for improving agricultural practices and productivity. It was suggested that; that government funding of Agricultural Education should be stepped up so as to encourage technological advancement of the Programme, well-equipped computer centres should be established and equipped in Nigerian universities, Non-governmental organisations and private individuals be should partner with universities to fund Agricultural Education Programme for sustainable development, fostering collaboration in implementing new technologies should be an important strand for future development in the university education system and Agricultural Education Students should take advantage of Digital Agriculture for self-reliance and entrepreneurship development.