NEXUS BETWEEN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS COMPETENCIES AND FARMERS’PRODUCTION IN NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between agricultural extension worker competencies and farmers participation/production. Using descriptive correlational design, this paper uses a total sample of 373 participants (farmers and agricultural extension workers) from a total accessible population of 458,265 through a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data was collected through drop and pick method of questionnaire administration. Data was analyzed using both descriptive (frequency and percentage) and Structural equation modeling using Amos graphics. The findings indicated that the participants are heterogeneous and level of farmers’ participation/production was spread across moderate and high levels. The findings also revealed that agricultural extension worker competencies level was distributed within moderate and high level depending on the dimension. The results also show significant relationship between agricultural extension worker competencies (teaching/facilitation; group formation and management; organizational tradition and guidance; and socio-external/personal skills). The paper therefore concludes that agricultural extension worker competencies are significantly related to farmers’ participation and production. The paper also recommends that training of agricultural extension workers should focus more on building leadership development skills and resource management skills.