This paper presents challenges facing agricultural extension system in Nigeria most especially, during crises and emergencies, which necessitate the adoption of digitizing extension systems as a basis for improving farmers’ access to extension services during emergencies. The emergence of ICTs has given rise to digitization, which is the delivery of agricultural advice via audiovisual messages (video), interactive voice response (IVR) and short message services (SMS) among others. Efforts should be made by the stakeholders in agricultural extension to digitize the country's extension system by capitalizing on the existing enthusiasm among extension practitioners, and farmers using lessons of best practices from elsewhere.
R oads in the rural areas are important to rural communities' social, economic and political growth in Nigeria. Such roads allow connection to, among others, market places, educational institutions, health facilities, farms, and other rural areas. Normally, poor roads have unwanted effects not only on produce from agricultural activities but also on the social and economic status of rural dwellers, as economy of the rural areas depends largely on the farmer (Ikejiofor and Ali, 2014). Omollo (2015) and Mathew (2014) pointed that lack of access in rural communities also slows the spread of new techniques and practices, raises the cost of production and marketing distribution, reduces communication levels and restraints access to school attendance and medical care. It also restricts flexibility and makes alienation worse (Nduati, 2017).Abstract | Rural roads are crucial to the socio-economic development of the rural population. Nonetheless, in Nigeria, the state of rural roads is pitiable, as the development, enhancement and provision of more rural transport systems could be a panacea for the prolonged deplorable and worsening state of rural roads in the country. This study examined the perceived effects of rural transportation systems on farmers' income in Ondo State, Nigeria. A structured interview was used in eliciting information from 120 farmers in rural communities across the two local governments in the study area using a two-stage random sampling technique. Data used for the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The study revealed that farmers perceived the quality of transportation system causes a reduction in their income. Gender (χ 2 =6.472) and marital status (χ 2 =9.745) positively influenced income generated by farmers at p<0.05. Also, there was a significant relationship between transportation systems used (r=0.705, p<0.05), perceived effects of rural transportation (r=0.267, p<0.05), and income generated by the farmers on farming activities. Based on the results of the study, it could be inferred that improved transport systems would enable farmers to work harder to increase productivity and reduce poverty in rural areas. The study recommended the development of motorable roads with sufficient infrastructure and the establishment of an agency or board capable of monitoring rural infrastructure, in particular, transport infrastructure to promote easy movement and improve the provision of medical services in the area.
This study determines the relationship between human resource development and extension agents’ work performance among cocoa growers in Malaysia. The study used stratified sampling technique to select 668 productive cocoa growers who are exposed to extension activities facilitated by the extension agents’ of Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) in the three (3) regions of Malaysia. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. Significant and positive correlation (p<0.01) existed between each variables and work performance. Regression analysis results showed that human resource development skills are significant (p<0.05). The Adj.R2 value of 0.562 implies that three predictors explain about 56.2% of the variation in extension agents’ work performance. The highest contribution is attributed by decision making support skill (β=0.321). It is therefore recommended that Malaysian Cocoa Board and other agricultural extension service agencies should focus more attention on delivering consistent human resource development initiatives relevant to the need of extension agents and focused on addressing identified skills and knowledge gaps among farmers and the extension agents who work with them for a continuous performance improvement in their work
Rice is a staple food for Malaysian and productivity must be focus upon in order to
This study examines the relationships between human resource development skills (leadership, decision making support, and social skills) with the work performance of extension agents among cocoa farmers in Malaysia. The study used stratified sampling technique to select 668 cocoa farmers who were exposed to extension programs facilitated by extension agents of the Malaysian Cocoa Board in 3 regions of Malaysia. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses. The results show that cocoa farmers rated level of work performance, leadership, decision making support, and social skills as high. Significant and positive correlation (p < 0.01) existed between each variable and work performance. Regression analysis results showed that leadership skill, decision making support skill, and social skill were significant predictors to enhance work performance. The R2 value of 0.564 indicates that the 3 skills gave 56.4 % explanation of the variance in extension agents’ work performance. The results also suggested that decision making support skill (β = 0.321) was the most important factor that influenced work performance, followed by leadership skill and social skill. Hence, decision making support skill, leadership skill, and social skill should be taken into consideration in enhancing work performance, especially among farmers and the extension agents who work with them, for continuous performance improvement in their work. The skills that have been identified in this study can be integrated into both the pre-service and in-service training and development of extension agents in their line of work to improve their skills in sharing new technology.
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