FARMERS’ ASSESSMENT OF THE UNIFIED AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the effectiveness of the Unified Agricultural Extension Service UAES in Borno State from the farmers’ perspective. Eighty-five farmers were selected using the multistage random sampling method from the three agricultural zones in the State. Data were collected through interviews. The results of the study showed that 81% of the respondents had educational level below secondary school, 75% were between 25 years and 44 years of age, 80% had annual income of between 4450,000 and 44100,000 and 80% were engaged in more than one agricultural production activities. Majority of the respondents received training on more than one sub-sector of agriculture from a single extension agent. Sixty-four percent of the respondents rated the UAES as “goodâ€. The study also revealed a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.88) between the educational qualification and technology adoption by respondents, as well as high correlation coefficient (r = 0.77) between the various agricultural sub-sectors covered by extension training programme and the income of respondents. The major problem associated with the UAES in Borno State is lack of clarity of extension information as attested by 22% of the respondents. It is recommended that farmers be encouraged to participate in adult and non-formal education so as to enhance their level of understanding the technologies delivered to them. Research in the areas of agro-forestry and fishery should be strengthened. Extension personnel should also be given more training in the areas of agro-forestry and fisheries