Issues for Agricultural Extension Policy in Nigeria

Agriculture is the bedrock of economic development in Nigeria. However, the development of the sector cannot be achieved without an efficient and effective extension system. Thus, there is the need for a well articulated and comprehensive Agricultural Extension Policy (AEP). It is against this background that the paper examines the content of agricultural extension sub-policy in the current Nigeria’s Agricultural Policy with a view to establishing the need for a National Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP). Issues in Extension Policy formulation; extension goals, approach and functions, subject matter, geographical coverage, target beneficiaries, organization, staffing, funding and stability were examined and how they could be addressed in the proposed AEP. The paper suggests as the goal; achievement of a well organized extension system for efficient and effective extension delivery in all aspects of sustainable agriculture and rural development to attain food security, poverty reduction, rural empowerment and environment management. It concludes with a summary of key recommendations for the proposed Agricultural Extension Policy. These include constituting a committee on NAEP to be chaired by the PS, FMAWR and the policy should make extension agenda farmer-driven and participatory. Also, decentralization of Nigerian agricultural extension system and its efficient coordination at various levels to ensure effectiveness and sustainability

Perception of home garden potentials among women in Edo south ecological zone, Nigeria

No Abstract.Gender and Behaviour Vol.5 (1) 2007: pp. 1042-105

Towards effective extension delivery approach and strategies for food security poverty alleviation and sustainable development in Nigeria

Agricultural extension is crucial to agricultural development which is cardinal to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The country is currently experiencing implementation of various approaches for extension delivery. This paper took an overview of extension delivery in the country and implied confusion, duplication and waste of resources. The paper recommends adequate implementation of participatory approach with integrated strategies that are farmer driven, inclusive and group oriented such as Farmer Field School (FFS). Furthermore, continuous training for staff and farmers, mainstreaming and targeting of vulnerable groups, promotion of best practices and environment friendly initiatives among others were recommended. It advocates for effective coordination, harmonization and funding of extension outfits; National Food Reserve Agency/Agricultural Development Programmes (NFRA)/(ADPs), Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria/National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Services (ARCN)/(NAERLS) and LGC agriculture departments. Dovetailing all technology development, adaptation and dissemination activities into Research Extension Farmer Inputs Linkage System (REFILS) will ensure clarity, judicious resource utilization, empowerment of beneficiaries and control of quality of technologies and contents of information disseminated. Agricultural Extension Policy (AEP) will be necessary support the implementation process

Participation of Women in the Third National Fadama Development Programme in Edo State, Nigeria

This study assessed participation of women in the third National Fadama Development Programme (NFDP-III) in Edo State, Nigeria. A sample of 150 women were randomly selected from the Fadama Users Groups (FUGs) drawn from the three zones of the State. A structured questionnaire  administered through interview was used to obtain relevant data. Findings show that majority of the women were married, between 51-60years of age, had household size of 5-8 persons, farm size below 1ha, and Fadama farming experience of about 3years. The livelihood activities in which women were mostly involved were crops related (71.1%) with major crops being cassava and plantain followed by processing (47.3%) and marketing (28.7%). The community driven CDD and participatory community planning (PCP) activities highly participated in were needs assessment  (mean=2.95), group mobilization (mean=2.81) and preparation of local development plans (mean=2.79). Multiple regression result (R2 =0.464; P < 0.050, F=5.878) indicates that only farm size (b=-1.151) and Fadama experience (b=1.208) were significantly associated with participation in FUGs activities. Women should be encouraged by the extension service to participate more in empowerment programmes of this nature which has the potential to graduate small holders to higher level with time.Keywords: Women, participation, Fadama programme, empowerment, Nigeri

Access and application of climate instruments in the Nigerian South West Zonal Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage System (Refils)

The study assessed the access and use of climate recording facilities by the stake holders in the Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage System (REFILS) in South West agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Respondents for the study comprised participants in the REFILS workshop (from research institutes, colleges and faculties of griculture, Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs), National Food Reserve Agency/Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (NFRA/FMAWR), input  agencies, NGOs and farmers). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 74 randomly selected participants out of about 250 participants present in the workshop. All the respondents (100%) believed climate change was real and not a myth and that climate records were relevant to their respective functions. Most of the research institutes and the ADPs had access to some weather/climate recording facilities. Some of the challenges to access and effective usage of instrument/facilities included poor funding, use of obsolete equipment and poor application. ANOVA test showed significant difference in respondents’ of institution categories (research, extension and others) with respect to access (F=8.611; p=0.000) and usage (F=19.048, p=0.000) of climate  instruments. The study recommends that all REFILS stakeholders should acquire relevant climate instrument/facilities for their use or source data where available as safeguard against adverse effect of weather or climate change situations.Key words: Climate change, REFILS, stakeholder