An Exploratory Case Study of Google Meet and Zoom as Real-Time Digital Extension Tools for Aquaculture Advisory at Brazil Farm, Abuja, Nigeria

Agriculture remains fundamental to global food security, rural livelihoods, and economic development. However, agricultural systems face mounting pressures from rapid population growth, environmental change, and the depletion of natural resources. The global population is projected to approach 10 billion by 2050, intensifying the demand for food production while requiring greater resilience and sustainability in agricultural practices (World Bank, 2019; FAO, 2022). These pressures are particularly acute in developing countries, where smallholder farmers contribute substantially to agricultural production yet remain vulnerable to climatic variability, market fluctuations, and limited access to technical support services.

Within the agricultural sector, aquaculture, particularly fish farming, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing food-producing subsectors worldwide. Fish farming contributes significantly to food and nutrition security, income generation, and employment creation, especially in Africa and Asia (FAO, 2016; Beveridge et al., 2013). In sub-Saharan Africa, aquaculture enhances protein intake and provides livelihood opportunities along value chains encompassing production, processing, and marketing (Brummett et al., 2008; Kassam & Dorward, 2017). In Nigeria, which grapples with persistent fish supply deficits, aquaculture has the potential to strengthen rural economies, reduce poverty, and improve household nutrition due to the growing demand for fish as an affordable source of animal protein (FAO, 2010; World Bank, 2014).

Despite its potential, fish farming in Nigeria continues to face persistent operational challenges that constrain productivity and profitability. These challenges include inadequate extension services, limited access to quality inputs such as fish seed and feed, disease outbreaks, poor water-quality management, weak market linkages, and constrained access to finance (Opara, 2008; Ogello et al., 2013; Chenyambuga et al., 2014). The limited reach of conventional agricultural extension, characterized by infrequent farm visits, high operational costs, and insufficient staffing, widens the information gap between farmers and subject-matter experts, often resulting in delayed or sub-optimal decision-making at the farm level. Access to timely, accurate, and relevant agricultural information is therefore critical for improving farm management decisions and productivity (Demiryurek et al., 2008; Das et al., 2016).

To achieve the primary goal of agricultural extension effectively, extension practitioners must be knowledgeable and skillful in communicating and disseminating information (Okunade & Oladosu, 2006). The rapid emergence and evolution of information and communication technologies (ICTs) have revolutionized information delivery across sectors, including agriculture (Alwahaishi & Snášel, 2013). In agricultural extension, ICTs have significantly transformed communication processes by facilitating faster, broader, and more interactive dissemination of information (Meera et al., 2004; Taiwo & Amoo, 2021; Nyarko & Kozari, 2021). Digital communication tools have the potential to enable extension systems to provide farmers with more timely information that may support improved production decisions and farm management practices.

In Nigeria, ICT adoption has expanded the reach of extension services by enabling communication through mobile phones, internet applications, and digital platforms, thereby mitigating some limitations of conventional extension approaches (Okeke et al., 2014). Social media and other internet-based platforms have further enhanced rapid information exchange, peer learning, and stakeholder engagement, particularly in resource-constrained rural settings (Alhassan et al., 2022). However, while digital tools have been widely used for meetings, training sessions, and coordination, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, their structured application as real-time advisory tools in the fisheries sector remains limited.

Among emerging digital tools, synchronous video conferencing platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom present a promising but under-explored medium for real-time agricultural advisory services. Unlike asynchronous communication methods, video conferencing enables live, interactive engagement between farmers and subject-matter experts. Through real-time audio-visual interaction, experts can observe farm conditions remotely, diagnose problems instantly, and provide context-specific recommendations without physical presence. This capability is particularly valuable in aquaculture, where delays in addressing issues such as disease outbreaks or water-quality deterioration can result in rapid stock losses.

Live video-conferencing tools offer unique advantages for aquaculture advisory services because they enable visual demonstration and immediate feedback. Through real-time video interactions, extension agents can demonstrate practical techniques such as water-quality testing procedures, feeding management, disease symptom identification, pond sanitation practices, and aeration system adjustments, while farmers are able to ask questions and receive instant clarification. Davis and Sulaiman (2016) note that interactive ICT tools enhance learning outcomes in agricultural extension because they combine visual, auditory, and participatory elements that are particularly important in production systems requiring practical skill acquisition. In aquaculture, where management errors can lead to rapid stock mortality, the ability to visually assess pond conditions and provide immediate corrective guidance may significantly improve farm outcomes. Furthermore, the increasing penetration of smartphones in Nigeria has enhanced the feasibility of using live digital platforms for extension delivery. Empirical evidence indicates that farmers who utilize mobile-based advisory tools report improved access to technical information and greater confidence in adopting recommended practices (Salau & Saingbe, 2019).

Although both Google Meet and Zoom offer similar functionalities, including live video interaction, chat features, screen sharing, and session recording, they differ in interface design, connectivity stability, participant capacity, cost structure, and data requirements. These differences may influence their usability, reliability, and effectiveness in rural and peri-urban farming contexts. Despite the growing integration of ICTs in extension delivery, empirical evidence comparing the effectiveness of specific video conferencing platforms for real-time aquaculture advisory in Nigeria remains scarce. Existing studies largely focus on general ICT adoption rather than comparative evaluations of platform performance in practical farm problem-solving scenarios.