Competency Assessments of Agricultural Extension Workers in Edo State, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

The persistent decline in the required competencies for the dissemination of improved agricultural technologies by agricultural extension workers gave rise for need of the study. This study was carried out to assess the extension workers’ competence in Edo State, Nigeria.  This was achieved by addressing the socioeconomic characteristics of extension agents, job responsibilities of extension workers, level of competence of extension agents and factors affecting level of competence among extension agents in the study area. A two-stage sampling procedure was used for the sampling of 68 respondents. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire and were analyse using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency, mean, percentage, standard deviation and Spearman correlation statistics. Results showed that a high proportion (57%) of extension agents was males and 50% of them were 41 – 50 years old. Majority (91.2%) of extension agents were responsible for raising farmers’ awareness level in problem situation, while 89.7% of extension agents were involved in arousing farmers’ interest in recognizing their problems. Results on access to training showed that majority (88.2%) of extension agents had various trainings to improve their competency level. Factors affecting competency development were inadequate funding (mean = 3.18), poor road network (mean = 3.09), poor exposure to training opportunities (mean = 2.94) and delay in supply of materials (mean = 2.75). Results also showed a significant relationship between educational qualification (r = 0.288; p = 0.017), years of experience (r = 0.550; p = 0.000), grade level (r = 0.461; p = 0.000) and competency needs of extension agents. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that extension agents were mostly involved in raising farmers’ awareness level in problem situation as their job responsibility. It was recommended that extension agents should be given regular and adequate training on improve and modern information and technologies dissemination strategies in order to enhance their level of competence for improved job performance.