Authors:
Olatinwo, L. K., Ayanda, I. F., Yusuf, O. J., Abdulrahaman, O. L., Komolafe S. E. and Lawal, F. K., Nigeria |
Abstract:
This study investigated the perceived effectiveness of public extension services among maize
based farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study employed descriptive research design. An
interview schedule was used to collect data. Content validity was used to validate the instrument
while reliability was ascertained through test retest method having gotten a correlation
coefficient of 72% reliable. Four stage sampling was employed to select respondents. Firstly
stage involved a purposive selection of 3 ADP zones namely: Zone B, C and D. Second stage
involved the selection of eight blocks, and third stage involved random selection of 10 prominent
maize farming communities. Total population of ADP contact maize based farmers in the
selected communities was 695 where 36.5% was selected at the fourth stage to give 254
respondents. Collected data were analysed with the use of frequency counts, percentages, mean
score, standard deviation, linear regression and chi-square statistical tools. Findings showed that
maize based farmers were mainly male (93.3%), married (87.8%), and educated (86.2%). Many
(63.0%) of the respondents perceived the effectiveness of services provided by public extension
organizations was moderate. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the socio-economic
factors (years of schooling and access to extension services) predicted 22.2 percent of farmers’
perception of the effectiveness of extension services provided by public extension organizations.
The study concluded that farmers perceived extension services provided by public extension
organizations were moderately effective. This study recommends a functional public-private
extension approach for effective extension services to farmers in Kwara State. |
