This seminar paper examined the efficiency of the capacity-building programmes of agricultural extension officers with regard to the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices in Kwara State. The study was underpinned by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Human Capital Theory, and adopted a narrative review design of a qualitative study, which was based on the evidence of peer-reviewed journal articles, government policy documents, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) reports or other empirical studies published between 2020 and 2026. Review of the literature available identified that extension officers’ capacity-building programmes have improved farmers’ technical knowledge, communication and professional competences which have resulted in improved farmer’s advisory services and farmers’ uptake of sustainable agricultural practice in certain parts of Kwara State. However, poor follow up training, lack of adequate extension officers to farmer ratio, weak logistics and financial support, inadequate institutional support and limited availability of agricultural inputs and credit facilities to farmers have limited the effectiveness of these programmes. The paper posits the need for continuous capacity building of extension officers in order to build strength on sustainable agriculture development in Kwara State. It recommends the establishment of a long-term extension impact tracking system, development of an extension innovation and learning hub, creation of specialized units in extension to meet emerging challenges in agriculture, development of competency-based certification of extension officers, development of a knowledge retention and succession scheme, and institutionalizing farmer feedback as an extension performance evaluation tool to promote long term sustainable agriculture in Kwara state.

Keywords: Capacity building, agricultural extension officers, sustainable agricultural practices, on-farm demonstration, narrative review.