Farmers’ Perception of the Extension Agents’ Effectiveness and Introduction of Extension Reforms in Delta State, Nigeria
Abstract
The study assessed the perception of farmers on extension agents’ effectiveness and introduction of agricultural extension reforms in Delta State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty eight randomly selected farmers from a list of 527 farmers were surveyed using interview schedule for data collection. The findings of the study show that a majority (71.1%) of the respondents are female and belong to age bracket of 30 – 49 years old (80.2%). Findings also show that majority (61.7%) of the respondents had contact with extension agents on a monthly basis. Respondents perceived extension agents to be vast in subject matter, had beneficial new technologies and they integrated lectures well with practical. However, respondents were not impressed with extension agents’ listening ability to respondents’ problems, acting as if they know all, imposing their ideas on them and not being explanatory enough. Despite these shortcomings, farmers still highly adopted transferred technologies and they were also not positively disposed to introduction of extension privatization and commercialization. Respondents’ age (r = 0.173), education (r = 0.245) and farm Size (r = 0.254) had significant relationship with their perception of extension agents’ effectiveness. For extension to be more effective, there is a need for joint running of agricultural extension by public and non-public institutions and extension institutions should consider having a broader role than providing technical recommendations on agriculture alone.
References
Akinbile, L.A.2003. Farmers perception of effectiveness of fisheries extension services in Nigeria. Journal of Extension Systems, Vol.19 (1), 32-44.
Amalu, U.C. 1998. Agricultural research and extension delivery systems in sub-Saharan Africa. The University of Calabar Press, Calabar, Nigeria.
Asiabaka, C.C. Morse S. , Kenyon, L. 2001. “The Development, Dissemination and Adoption of Technologies Directed at Improving the Availability of Clean Yam Planting Material in Nigeria and Ghana” In Asiabaka C.C. and Owens M. (2002) “Determinants of Adoptive Behaviours of Rural Farmers in Nigeria”, Proceeding of the 18th Annual Conference of AIAEE, 2002, Durban, South Africa. Pp. 13-20.
Benor, D., Harrison, J.Q., Barter, M. 1997. Agricultural Extension: The Training and Visit System. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank.
Braimah, A.A. 1992. Integrated agricultural development project planning in Nigeria. Department of Town and Regional Planning, University of Botswana, 713-728.
Claar, J.B., Bentz, R.P. 1984. Organizational design and extension administration. In Swanson, B.E. (eds), Agricultural Extension. A Reference Manual 2nd ed.), FAO, Rome.
Chikwendu, D.O., Arokoyo, J.O., Omotayo, A.M., Akpoko, J.G., Umaru, M., Adegbehin, J.O., Dafwang I.I. 1997. Effectiveness and impact of the training and visit extension systems of Nigeria – A research report commissioned by the agricultural projects monitoring and evaluation Unit, Federal Department of Agriculture.
Crowder, L.V. 1996. Environmental and sustainable development themes in agricultural extension: A review of FAO case Studies. Training for Agricultural Development, FAO, Rome, 134-149.
Erie, A.P. 1986. A study of the impact of agricultural extension work in Bendel State of Nigeria. Unpublished M. Sc. Thesis of the Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
FACU 1986. Nigeria’s brief on agricultural development project. Federal Agricultural Coordinating Unit (FACU), Ibadan, 11-30.
Kamilu, B.K. 2001. Trends and sustainability of agricultural development program services delivery to farmers in Nigeria. In Olowu, T.A. (ed), Proceedings of the 7th annual national conference of the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria, August 19-22, 2001, 164-172.
Moris, J. 1992. Extension alternatives in tropical agriculture. London: ODI.
Njoku, J.E. 1990. Determinants of adoption of improved oil palm technologies in Imo State of Nigeria. Research Report Number 10, Winrock International, Arlington.
Obinne, C.P.O., Anyanwu A.C.1991. Communication factors determining adoption of improved cassava technologies in small-holder agriculture. Nigerian Journal of Rural Extension and Development, Vol.1 (1), 15-23.
Ogunbameru, B.O. 2005. Funding of agricultural extension in Nigeria. In Adedoyin, S.F. (ed), Agricultural Extension in Nigeria. Agricultural Exztension Society of Nigeria (AESON), Ilorin, Nigeria.
Okoro, F. 2000. Sustaining agricultural extension service through private participation: Issues and policy implications. In Nwosu, A.C., Nwajuba, C.U., Industrial Enterprises Ltd., Owerri Pg. 89-94.
Omohan, D.A. 1996. Diffussion of Innovation. Faculty of Social Sciences Quarterly Journal, Edo State University, Vol. 1, No 1, Pg. 24-31.
Qamar, M.K. 2002. Global trends in agricultural extension: Challenges facing Asia and the Pacific region. A keynote paper presented at the FAO regional expert consultation on agricultural extension, research-extension-farmer interface and technology transfer in Bangkok, July 2002. Sustainable Development Department, FAO Rome.
Rogers, A. 1996. Participatory training: Using critical reflection on experience in agricultural extension training. Training for Agricultural Development, FAO, Rome, 86-103.
Uwakah, C.T. 1985. The agricultural extension approach to rural development in West Africa. Unpublished mimeograph (No. 2), Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 27-36.
