CHALLENGES OF EFFECTIVE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The current Training and Visit (T&V) methods of agricultural extension testified to the gap
between the actual understanding of the latest technologies and agricultural production.
Agricultural extension is one of the ways of closing this gap by attempting to persuade farmers
to adopt relevant technologies developed by researchers based on needs and experience of
farmers. But, in many instances, these attempts were found ineffective and inadequate due to
some challenges such as insufficient and qualified field extension agents, low rate of adoption of
technologies and lack of mobility for extension delivery among others. The study therefore,
reviewed the concept of extension education, some challenges of effective agricultural extension
service delivery system in Nigeria, roles of researcher, extension agents, farmers and
government in extension delivery. It was recommended that adequate awareness campaigns
should be carried out through the media, meetings, farms and home visits, seminars etc. before
launching any new agricultural technology that is to benefit food production practices of Nigerian
farmer and enough recruitment of field extension agents should be carried out by the Federal,
State and local government councils to cope with the high level of extension-farmer ratio in the
country