Title : Role of extension agents in increasing food production in Kaltungo local government, Gombe, Gombe state, Nigeria
Abstract:
The study is to examine the role of agricultural extension in increasing food production as a strategy in reducing poverty among farmers in Kaltungo Local Government Area. The specific objectives are to; identify the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers and extension workers, identify agricultural extension strategies for poverty reduction among the farmers, identify the roles play by agricultural extension in reducing poverty among farmers and identify the challenges of extension services in increasing food production by farmers in Kaltungo Local Government Area. Data were collected using structured questionnaire from a total population of 135 agricultural extension agents. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistic which include simple percentage and mean with four (4) point rating scales. The results revealed that majority of the respondents were male farmers, between the ages of 31–40 years, with majority being married farmers, with 1–3 family members, 37.8% of the respondents had Diploma certificate. Some of the extension workers had 11–15 years of working experience, most of them were permanent staff, with the State Ministry of Agriculture. Result further revealed that private sector extension service expected farmers to pay some of the cost of extension with the hope of reducing public funding on extension. Some of the constraints to effective extension was inadequate transport facilities. Few of the recommendations included encouraging farmers to form associations and emphasising adult, non-visit education to farmers.
