Strategies for Improving Agricultural Extension Service Delivery in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State
J. U. Ndem *
Department of Technology and Vocational Education, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
B. N. Okafor
Department of Vocational Education and Entrepreneurship Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
M. A. Ochijenu
Kogi State University, Ayigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
F. Azuuku
Department of Agricultural Education, Ebonyi State College of Education, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
L. I. Eni
Department of Agricultural Education, Cross River State University of Science and Technology, Calabar, Nigeria.
C. Nwovu
Department of Agricultural Education, Ebonyi State College of Education, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
C. N. Edu
Department of Technology and Vocational Education, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
C. M. Okpara
Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study determined the strategies for improving agricultural extension service delivery in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State Nigeria using three purposes of study. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study was 81 contact farmers and extension agents. Data were collected with questionnaire which was validated by five specialists and analysis using mean statistics and standard deviation. It was discovered that training programmes, provision of essential amenities in the rural areas and incentives to the extension agents improve agricultural extension service delivery. All the hypotheses were accepted at (p < 0.05) level of significance. The researchers recommended that the Government of Ebonyi State should always organize training programmes, provision of essential amenities in the rural areas and incentives to the extension agents. Low productivity of agricultural commodities by rural farmers is as a result of inadequate extension education services which need proactive to ensure adequate extension education services.
Keywords: Agriculture, extension, extension agent, education, service delivery, rural farmers.