Authors : Caroline O. Albert and Benjamin I. Isife
Abstract: The need to develop a national policy on agricultural extension service in Nigeria, its critical components and the ways to enhance the policy formed the basis for this study. A study on the perception of 20 extension workers on the issues was conducted in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria. The extension workers included 2 extension supervisors and 2 extension agents randomly selected from each of 5 establishments involved in agricultural extension services in the state. Data were collected from the extension workers using questionnaires and frequency counts, percentages and mean scores were applied for data analysis. The study identified critical components of agricultural extension policy to include institutional framework and structures, safety/security, monitoring and evaluation, sustainability, funding, research, information communication technology, globalization and personnel training. It was advanced that a national policy on agricultural extension shall bring forth a minimum standard for extension activities, personnel quality and ratio to recipients, personnel training and efficient institutional framework to enhance agricultural development in Nigeria.
Caroline O. Albert and Benjamin I. Isife , 2009. Issues in Developing a National Policy on Agricultural Extension Service in Nigeria: The Perception of Extension Professionals. Agricultural Journal, 4: 22-26.