This study examined the accuracy between extension professionals and farmers regarding their perceptions of privatization and commercialization of agricultural extension services. The study was carried out in Delta State, Nigeria and it had a sample size of 224 respondents comprising of 134 extension ...
Read More
This study examined the accuracy between extension professionals and farmers regarding their perceptions of privatization and commercialization of agricultural extension services. The study was carried out in Delta State, Nigeria and it had a sample size of 224 respondents comprising of 134 extension professionals of the Delta State Agricultural Programme (DTADP) and 90 farmers that were randomly selected. Data for the study were collected from the respondents through the use of validated questionnaire and interview schedule. The questionnaire was used for the extension professionals, while the interview schedule was used for the farmers. Spearman‟s rank order correlation coefficient was used to determine the accuracy in perceptions of respondents. Results of the study show that extension professionals estimated farmers‟ perception with a high degree of accuracy (r = 0.80 ), while farmers estimated extension professionals‟ perception with low accuracy (r = 0.22 ). The inability of farmers to accurately estimate extension professionals‟ perception could be due to differences in their background and knowledge of issues relating to privatization and commercialization of agricultural extension services. The study recommends that farmers‟ knowledge of issues relating to privatization and commercialization should be enhanced through seminars and workshops organized by the appropriate extension agency. [Ajieh , Patrick Chuks. Accuracy of Extension Professionals’ and Farmers’ Perceptions regarding Privatization and Commercialization of Agricultural Extension Services. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems, 2013; 3(1):1-6].
This study examined the knowledge and perception of farmers regarding privatization and commercialization of agricultural extension services in Delta State, Nigeria. A sample size of 90 farmers in contact with extension agents was randomly selected for the study. Data for the study was collected through ...
Read More
This study examined the knowledge and perception of farmers regarding privatization and commercialization of agricultural extension services in Delta State, Nigeria. A sample size of 90 farmers in contact with extension agents was randomly selected for the study. Data for the study was collected through the use of a validated structured interview schedule. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing data generated from the study. Results show that respondents had a low to moderate knowledge regarding the concept, principles and objectives of privatization and commercialization. Respondents also had a favorable perception towards privatization and commercialization of agricultural extension services. There was no significant difference in the perceptions of small, medium and large-scale farmers. The study concludes that the favorable perception held by the respondents is an indication of their willingness to accept the introduction of privatization and commercialization in agricultural extension services delivery. It therefore recommends that the government of Delta State should consider privatizing and/or commercializing agricultural extension services in the state. [Ajieh Patrick Chuks. Farmers’ Knowledge and Perception regarding Privatization and Commercialization of Agricultural Extension Services in Delta State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems, 2012; 2(4):175-179].
