Assessment Of Emerging Roles And Training Needs Of Extension Personnel In Kogi State Agricultural Development Programme

Abstract

Meaningful agricultural development in any society largely hinges on

extension system in place. Agricultural extension assists rural people in the

community through educational procedure in improving their farming methods and

techniques, thus increasing their production efficiency, income, social and living

standard. To bring this to pass requires continuous training of extension personnel in

order to cope with the emerging roles cropping up as a result of developmental

programmes established by the government to improve food production and reduction

in the poverty level of rural dwellers. The study focused on the personal sociodemographic

characteristics, emerging roles of extension personnel, training needs to

cope with the emerging roles and frequency and type of training programme organized

for the extension personnel. It also identified the major problems affecting the

continuous training and retraining of extension personnel in Kogi State ADP. The

study covered twenty one local government areas of Kogi State which is divided into

four agricultural zones: Zone A, B, C, and D. Data used were collected from one

hundred extension personnel using questionnaire items. The study reveal that there is

need for continuous training of extension personnel but some major constraints such

as inadequate fund, administrative bottleneck, lack of continuity of extension policy

have to be overcome. The Kogi State government should provide financial support as

well as regular payment of personnel wages interms of salaries, bonus and arrears.

Fund should be released to KSADP as at when due for proper, planning and execution

of training programme for her personnel. Motivation of personnel should be taken

into consideration to enhance their regular attendance to training programmes. There

should be continuity of extension policy to backup consistent training of extension

personnel. Necessary training facilities and equipment should be provided by Kogi

State ADP in order to enhance good training of her staff.