Summary Over the years, provision of extension and advisory services has been the main thrust of both the public and private extension services in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the lead farmer extension approach has been deployed for cost effectiveness, broader reach and sustainability. The utility value of this approach needs to be empirically established. This study therefore examined the extent to which the approach has achieved the intended objectives among randomly sampled maize farmers in Iseyin and Saki-West Local Government Areas (LGAs). Interview schedule and focus group discussion among farmer groups were used for the study. Lead farmer extension approach was cost and time effective vis-a-vis the number of farmers reached and the achieved outcome. Almost 70% of the lead farmers encountered late arrivals and impatience from group members during step-down training activities while all of them complained of insufficient funds for refreshment. About 65% of the farmers engaged in selective adoption of the training items owing to various reasons. There was also a significant difference between the knowledge level of the lead farmers and their respective group members while the group members’ assessment of their respective lead farmers’ performance was high. The study concluded that this extension approach was effective and could serve to complement the efforts of extension workers in the state.

Abstract

This study assessed the listenership of latoju oja radio programme among farmers in Oyo state, Nigeria. Ninety farmers from three local government areas were randomly interviewed and data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that the mean age of farmers was 47 years. Most of them (67.8%) were Muslims, male (76.7%), and married (94.4%). Respondents had moderate level of education showing primary education (42.2%) to be in the modal class. A high proportion (80.0%) of the farmers were satisfied with the time of airing of latoju oja programme and considered it to be a useful source of information with a favourable disposition about the programme. Farmers disposition was highest in areas of enhancement of farmers bargaining power ( =4.53). The major constraint faced by respondents was how to sort out conflicting information provided by latoju oja radio programme ( =2.84)). The findings indicated listenership to be low among a majority (58.9%). A significant relationship existed between level of education (x 2 =3.99), benefits derived (r=0.15) and listenership of latoju oja radio programme. Although latoju oja radio programme is well listened to, the information provided should be reconciled with the current market value so as to achieve the desired objective.

The study examined the effectiveness of value chain extension using some field activities among smallholder farmers in Nigeria and beyond and some farm projects that have adopted value chain extension approach. It revealed that the impact of a value chain extension approach if adopted include increased productivity, better post-harvest management, guaranteed and more remunerative market among others. The study also revealed that quite a number of problems constraining farmers from transforming into agribusiness could effectively be managed using the agricultural value chain extension approach. It was therefore recommended that agricultural value chain extension approach be piloted in selected states in Nigeria with a plan for gradual up-scale, as associated teething problems are being identified and appropriately managed to achieve desired outcomes.Keywords: Agricultural Value Chain Extension; Agricultural Transformation, Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

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