Effect of Agricultural Extension Services on Crop Farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyses the effectiveness of agricultural extension services on crop farmers in Jigawa State. Two objectives and two research questions were formulated. Five Local Government Areas (LGAs) from eight LGAs that make up Jigawa East senatorial zone were randomly selected. A village each was purposively selected based on their level of involvement in agricultural crop production. A total of 235 farmers (household heads) constituted the sample size of the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Data were analyzed using percentages, mean score and t-test. Hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that a significant effect existed on the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers in the State towards increase in crop production also extension services have shown significant impact on farmers crop production thus; the two hypotheses were all rejected. Conclusively, agricultural extension services were effective in the study area and led to increased crop production. Based on the findings it was recommended that the number of extension agents should be increase and adequately motivated. This will enable them to continue rendering their services more effectively and enhance crop production activities in the state.