Competence Needs Of Extension Agents For Agricultural Adaptation To Climate Change In Anambra State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The overall purpose of the study was to determine the competence needs of extension agents for

agricultural adaptation to climate change. Specifically, the study sought to ascertain the

knowledge level of extension personnel on climate change; ascertain perceived roles of extension

in agricultural adaptation; identify perceived competence needs of extension agents for

agricultural adaptation; determine factors militating against competence building of extension

agents for agricultural adaptation and identify the possible strategies to building competence of

extension agents. The study tested the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between

personal/institutional characteristics and knowledge level of extension personnel on climate

change and there is no significant relationship between personal factors and attitude of extension

personnel to climate change. Data were collected using questionnaire administered to 93 extension

personnel in the state Agricultural Development Programme. Data were presented with percentage

and bar chart and analysed using mean score, standard deviation, factor analysis. The hypotheses

were tested using logit model. Result of the study showed that 57.3% of extension personnel were

females, while 43.0% were males. The mean age of the respondents was 45.2years and 93.5% of

the respondents were married. Majority (53.3%) of the personnel had B.Sc/HND, 33.7% had

OND/NCE, while 13.0% had M.Sc. Majority (63.4%) of the respondents had high knowledge of

climate change and favourable attitude ((93.5%)) towards climate change. The respondents

perceived roles of extension in climate adaptation were conducting workshops, seminars for

creating awareness/knowledge of climate change and adaptation (M=3.74), facilitating access to

relevant information (M=3.54), carrying out demonstration for teaching farmers measures used to

mitigate or adapt to the effect of climate change (M=3.45) and others. The respondents perceived

communication (M=2.93), technical knowledge/skill/information on climate change (M=2.89),

participatory extension strategies (M=2.81), use of information communication technology

(M=2.72), facilitation (M=2.72) as major areas of competence needs of extension agents. The

major constrains militating against competence building of extension agents for climate change

adaptation include inadequate fund (M=3.80), inadequate knowledge and technology on climate

change (M=3.70), lack of incentives/motivation of extension agents (M=3.64) and others. The

position of the extension personnel in extension organization and year spent in the organization

were significantly (B=-5.844, p