Extent of Extension Service Delivery for Agro-pastoralist in Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examines the extent of agricultural extension services delivery to agro-pastoralist in Niger State. Nigeria. Primary data were collected through field survey from agro pastoralist from three purposely selected local government areas in Niger State, Katcha, Paiko and Wushishi LGA’s were purposely selected by making sure they were in different agricultural zones of the Niger State namely Zone 1, II and III respectively. Twenty percent of the agro pastoralists house-hold population was sampled from each of three LGA randomly. A total of 210 household heads were sampled and interviewed using a semi structural survey instrument administered by trained enumerators who understood the local language. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. Results revealed that all (100%) of the household heads were all males and 67.7% acquired adult education while agro-pastoralism was the major occupation 98.1%. Majority 98.1% of the agro pastoralist claimed they were of Fulani ethnic group. Information on outbreak of diseases mean=3.9; provision of grazing reserves mean=3.7 were reported high. Majority 99.5% of the respondents opined that lack of easy access to vaccines and non-proximity of veterinary clinic were major constraints. In the testing of hypotheses, pearson Product Moment PPMC showed a significant positive relationship between extent of extension service provision and the following various namely age (r=0.172; p<0.05, number of wives r=0.163; p<0.05, number of children r=0.222 and; p<0.05, and number of cows owned r=0.221; p<0.05). The result chi-square analysis show that there was a significant relationship extent of extension provision and the settlement type (X2 =10.21; P<0.05). Extent of extension provision and educational level of X2= 12.20; P<0.05). It was recommended that government should make adequate arrangement for provision of necessary infra-fracture in the already gazzeted grazing reserve most especially veterinary clinics and make vaccine available and affordable for them. There is need to produce more radio programmes and also encourage formation of radio listening group since is one of the major source of information to their production system.