EFFECTS OF EXTENSION WORKERS VISIT ON THE FARMERS PRODUCING QUALITY PROTEIN MAIZE IN BILLIRI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study analyzed the effects of extension workers visit on the farmers producing quality protein maize in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria. Among the farming households, 105 were selected randomly. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information from the respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings from the study showed that majority (53.33%) of the respondents got QPM seeds through Sassakawa Global 2000. Most (39%) of the QPM farmers were visited on quarterly basis. The F-ratio of 2.996 was significant indicating that the model is suitable for the data. The co-efficient for contact with source (0.126) was shown to be positive but not significant which implied that though the respondents have been visited by extension agents but the frequency of visits was low and this affected farmers’ awareness of QPM technology which could be the reason for low rate of adoption of quality protein maize (QPM) by other farmers that have refused to adopt the technology. It is therefore recommended that extension services/ sources should be strengthened by employing more extension workers by Government, Private organizations and Non-governmental agencies for efficient information dissemination to farmers especially at the rural level and also encourage farmers to form groups that will enable them narrow the gap of technology transfer.