FARMERS' PERCEPTION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF EXTENSION TRAITEGIES DEPLOYED IN AGRICULTURAL AGENDA SUPORT PROGRAM IN KANO AND NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed how farmers perceived the extension delivery strategies deployed under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program in Kano and Niger. In carrying out the study, 235 sorghum farmers participating in program in both state were randomly selected using the multi-stage random sample procedure. The data collected through a structured questionnaire were analysed using mean and t-test of significant. The result show that farmers fund the extension strategies deployed to be effective and the study fund no significant difference between the population and sample means at 95% confidence level. The most effective strategy was the strategy of stimulating farmer-to-farmer exchanges and technology dissemination while the other strategies, though effective, was rated lest included: involving farmers in all stages of research and development; allowing technology to be better compared and adapted to local condition; empowering farmers as diagnostic problem-solvers in future; and building farmers capacity to source information.