From climate change and food security to new technologiesand changing markets, farmers face increasingly complex challenges.

On this episode of FoodFarmTalk on CFRU 93.3 FM, we discuss“The Importance of Agricultural Extension Officers in Modern Agriculture.”

🎙️ Our Speakers:

👨🏾‍🎓 Andrew Lonta —Graduate Student, University of Guelph

🎙️ Isaac Quansah — Host, FoodFarmTalk

🎙️ Paul Smith — Co-host, FoodFarmTalk

We explore:

🌾 How extension officers support farmers

📱 The role of technology and innovation

🌍 Climate change adaptation

🥗 Food security and sustainable agriculture

👩🏾‍🌾 Supporting farmers andrural communities

👨🏾‍🌾 Encouraging youngpeople to enter agriculture

🚜 The future of agricultural extension

Agricultural extension is about more than transferringknowledge it is about empowering farmers to make informed decisions and buildresilient, productive communities.

Ataharul Chowdhury joins Isaac Quansah and Paul Smith to talk about the future of agricultural knowledge sharing through extension and advisory services. Dr. Chowdhury is Associate Professor of Capacity Development and Extension and Program Graduate Coordinator in the Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph.

Ataharul grew up on a family farm in Bangladesh, and also had opportunities to live, study and work in different countries. He developed a passionate interest in food, agriculture and the environment, and the roles these play in the well-being of communities. Ataharul joined the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, and brings more than a decade of teaching and research experience at universities, non-profits and private foundations in the Caribbean, Canada, Austria, and South Asia. He has collaborated with many leading international partners to help build more sustainable agriculture and rural development in remote and resource-poor communities around the world.

More information:

https://www.uoguelph.ca/sedrd/people/ataharul-chowdhury

https://theconversation.com/canadas-new-food-security-strategy-invests-in-technology-but-overlooks-the-people-who-help-farmers-use-it-286812