This study has assessed the effectiveness of agricultural extension workers through the use of six indicators. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 180 farmers and 60 extension workers from 12 Local Government Areas of Delta State. Interview schedule and questionnaire were used to collect data from respondents. On average, farmers have 7 – 12 contacts per year with agricultural extension workers. Age, extent of contact with extension workers, and education level make a significant contribution to farmers' perception on the quality of agricultural extension workers. This study found no significant relationship between adoption level and extent of contact with extension workers. Agricultural message situation is good in terms of purpose, content and treatment but the provision of logistics for field work of extension workers is not sufficient. The study reveals that agricultural extension service in Delta State is not effective. There is no significant difference in the agricultural extension workers' effectiveness in the three agricultural zones of Delta State. For a better coverage of extension cells, more extension workers should be recruited. The Delta State Government should exhibit renewed vigor in properly funding the public agricultural extension service to ensure improved effectiveness.

Child labor is a major issue in many parts of the Global South. This study was conducted in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to examine the level of involvement of children in arable farming activities. Three states in the region were selected for the study, and arable farming households were randomly selected from these states. Out of the selected farming households, 362 children (6–17 years of age) were interviewed. It was found that children were highly involved in most of the farming activities that are considered hazardous. The reasons given by the farming household heads for the engagement of household children in farming activities included cultural, economic, and political factors. Most of the children combined schooling and farming activities. The research data showed that there was no significant relationship in the level of involvement of children in agricultural labor between the three Niger Delta states, but it showed significant difference in the nature of farming activities in which the children were involved. The implications of agricultural development are that these conditions will lead to the transmission of agricultural knowledge, technical, and social skills from generation to generation. It is recommended that (a) a compromise should be reached between schooling and the involvement of children in farming activities; (b) that children should always be made to wear protective gear when they carry out hazardous farming operations; and (c) their involvement and technical education in agricultural skills should give them a future positive interest in agriculture as a career/profession.

This study was conducted in Nigeria´s Delta Central Agricultural Zone to determine the effectiveness of the leadership of farmers' self-help groups. Seven of the 27 registered farmers groups were randomly selected. Ten percent of the members of each selected group were also randomly selected, resulting in 68 respondents. Primary data were collected with the use of questionnaires and direct interview, while secondary data were collected from the records of the selected farmers' groups. Data were subjected to statistical analysis by using mean derived from 4-point Likert-type scale, frequency counts and percentages. The hypotheses were addressed with the use of Spearman's rank order correlation. Leadership was rated low in qualities of leaders although the leaders have been found to be fairly effective for some aspects: creating access to credit, organizing groups for price determination and direct sale of produce to consumers. The members' participation in meetings was irregular. The implication for extension delivery service is that regular training should be organized for the leadership of farmers groups.

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