INFLUENCE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION PROGRAMME ON FARMERS’ AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN KANO STATE
INFLUENCE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION PROGRAMME ON FARMERS’ AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN KANO STATE
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Date
2011-08
Authors
IDI, GARBA
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to investigate the Influence of Agricultural Extension
Programme on Farmers’ Agricultural Production in Kano State. Four specific objectives
and four research questions were formulated. Four null hypotheses were also formulated
based on the objectives. Twelve Local Government Areas (a village from each) were
selected from the study area for the purpose of this study. 8,866 farmers (household
heads) and 236 extension agents served as population for the study. 370 farmers and 152
extension agents were randomly selected from the population as samples. Survey
research design was used for the study, where two sets of questionnaire were used as
instrument for data collection, one for the farmers, and the other for extension agents.
The data collected were analyzed using percentages and Spearman’s Rho Correlation
Procedure at 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study showed that 87.6% of the
farmers were males, 62.2% acquired formal education at different levels, 54.6% belonged
to farmers association. 87.6% used improved farm practices introduced to them
frequently, 85% had increase in yield after the adoption of the improved practices. 59.4%
indicated that cost and unavailability of fertilizers were the major problems that caused
them not to adopt the improved farm practices. The results of the tested null hypothesis I
indicated that the personal characteristics of the farmers were highly correlated with
adoption of agricultural innovation, and that of null hypothesis II discovered that the
types of teaching methods used by extension agents in disseminating the improved farm
practices to farmers were significantly correlated with the rate of adoption by the farmers,
also, the results of the null hypothesis III showed that the adoption of improved farm
practices by the farmers was significantly correlated with change in agricultural
production, and that of null hypothesis IV ascertained that the factors militating against
the adoption of improved farm practices were significantly correlated with effectiveness
of extension activities in the study area. Therefore the null hypothesis I, II, III and IV
earlier stated were rejected. Conclusively, from the findings, Agricultural Extension
Programmes were found effective in the study area, and led to increase in sorghum, millet
and cowpea production. However, there were some factors such as high cost of
agricultural production inputs and lack of technical knowledge on some improved farm
practices that made some farmers not to adopt the improved farm practices introduced to
them. Based on the findings of the study, some recommendations were given, that Kano
State Government should encourage more adult literacy classes in rural areas, employ
more trained male and female extension agents, and provide agricultural inputs to rural
farmers on time and at subsidized prices for more effective agricultural extension
programme in the state.
Description
AGRIC EDUCATION SECTION,
DEPARTMENT OF VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION,
FACULTY OF EDUCATION, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
INFLUENCE,, AGRICULTURAL,, EXTENSION,, PROGRAMME,, FARMERS,, AGRICULTURAL,, PRODUCTION,, KANO,, STATE.