Knowledge of Extension Agents regarding Professionalization of Extension Services: Evidence from South West Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the knowledge of agriculture extension agents on professionalization in South West Nigeria. This was borne out of the need to improve and ensure a viable, effective and vibrant extension and advisory service delivery in the area. 301 public and 55 private extension agents were selected through a two-staged sampling procedure. A questionnaire was used to obtain data on their socio-economic characteristics, knowledge on professionalization and its components, these being analyzed using descriptive, t-test and tobit regression analyses. The results showed that the agricultural agents in the public and private extension organizations had a basic knowledge on the concept of professionalization and its components of accreditation, registration and certification. However, disparities in the level of knowledge between the public and private extension personnel were observed. The findings indicated that their educational level and background were significant influencing factors of knowledge on professionalization. The study has implications for educating and training agricultural extension agents on professionalization. Seminars and workshops should be held specifically for the public extension agencies, to upgrade their knowledge and capacity on the concept, intricacies and potential benefits of professionalization on service delivery. This will help assist the institutionalization of professionalization in the agricultural extension sector and enhance competent, accountable and effective extension and advisory services delivery.

Perceived Effects of Professionalization of Extension Services by Public and Private Agents in South West Nigeria

“…The average knowledge score of the public and private agents was 65.42 and 66.04 respectively implying that the agents in both extension agencies had the basic knowledge about the concept of professionalization. This is in consonance with the findings of Olorunfemi and Oladele (2018) that extension agents in South West Nigeria were knowledgeable about the basic intricacies of the concept and process of professionalization. This bodes well for the implementation of professionalization of extension services in the study area.…”

“…Professionalization as operationalized in this study includes three major components of accreditation, registration and certification of extension service providers. Accreditation involves the process of ensuring that an individual has gone through a professional programme that meets the prescribed standard for a profession (Olorunfemi and Oladele, 2018). Registration ensures that an individual has passed some qualifying examinations and met the specified standards of professional training for a profession while Certification is the process whereby a professional society/body attests to the professional qualification of an individual and thus gives the right to practice of the occupation or profession for which minimum standards of education and experience have been met (Olorunfemi and Oladele, 2018).…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of The Farmers Pepper Farming Toward Sustainability

“…They even highlighted that the extension workers' knowledge and understanding of the Sustainable Agriculture concept is inadequate. Knowledge is generally considered as prerequisite for the acceptance of a new policy, concept, and innovation (Rogers, 1995;Oladele, 2012;Olorunfemi et al, 2018). Thus, this will influence their attitude towards implementing professionalization.…”

Knowledge of extension agents on climate smart agricultural initiatives in South-West Nigeria

“…This will help them in planning their day-to-day agricultural operations well in advance. Weather forecast-based advisory service can have a significant influence in minimizing climate change related risks and increase productivity (Oladele et al, 2018).…”

“…Agricultural extension has been very important in promoting rural livelihood globally. Extension agents are saddled with the responsibility of transferring technology and providing advisory services to rural farming households in many developing countries including Nigeria (Davis 2016;Olorunfemi and Oladele, 2018). More importantly, effective agricultural extension service among other things encompasses the provision of timely information to farmers.…”