ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effect of Training and Visit (T&V) extension activities of the Edo State ADP on small-scale-farmers. The study determined the demographic characteristics of contact and non-contact farmers and extension activities through which Edo ADP makes contact with farmers by the extension agents. The study also evaluated the effect of the extension activities of the Edo ADP on farmers’ awareness, knowledge and adoption of improved farm practices and productivity. The sample consisted of 124 contact and 123 non-contact farmers drawn from the three agricultural zones of the state, namely, Edo South, Edo North and Edo Central. Multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 9 blocks, 24 cells and 247 respondents. Data for the study were obtained from interview schedule administered by extension agents and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means and logit regression test Methods of analysis adopted in this study were both descriptive and inferential.
Findings showed that the mean age of contact and non-contact farmers were 42.3 and 45.4 years, majority (73% and 78.2%) of both groups of farmers were not educated beyond secondary school level, mean years of farming were 15.2 and 14.7 years, mean farm size were 2.1 and 1.3 hectares, both groups of farmers practised small-scale farming and their average annual income was N81.929.09 and N54,569.01 respectively. The state extension agency made contact with most (95%) of the farmers through farm and home visits; 83% of the contact farmers got most information about agricultural enterprises through demonstrations and the extension agents effectively carried out farm and home visit activities as perceived by farmers.
Logit regression analysis results of awareness, knowledge and adoption models showed that extension activities operated by the extension agency (ADP) has a consistently significant effect on farmers awareness, knowledge and adoption of improved farm practices. Logit regression analysis shows that years of farming (b = - 0.096), education (b = -0.201) and farm income (b = 0.623) were significant determinants of farmers likelihood of being productive in their farming enterprises predicting correctly respondents’ responses at 77%. Recommendation made was that to improve general farmers’ awareness, knowledge and adoption of improved farm practices as well as to raise their productivity, there is need to bridge the existing gap in the level of awareness, knowledge, adoption and productivity in farming between the contact and non-contact farmers.
