ASSESSMENT OF MAIZE FARMERS' PERCEPTION AND EXTENT OF UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE DELIVERY IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed maize farmers' perception and extent of agricultural extension service delivery utilization in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select the 334 maize farmers. Data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study reveals (72%) of the maize farmers had some level of education and (50%) had 1- 8 years of experience in maize farming. With an average experience of 10 years. The study further reveals that the majority (53%) had contact 1-3 times with the extension agents while (37%) had no contact with the extension agents in the study area. The result shows the maize farmers’ perceptions of agricultural extension service delivery (4.04%) had positive responses and satisfaction with planting spacing (3.52%), fertilizer application (3.27%), mulching (3.62%), weed control and harvesting (3.56%). The result further showed that demonstration of improved maize production practices (4.08%), and access to maize extension information (3.87%) were effectively utilized. The result further reveals that politicization, inadequate supply of farm inputs, unavailability of extension agents, and difficulty in accessing loans which were ranked 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th respectively. In conclusion, these clearly show that the maize farmers were satisfied and effectively utilized the advice, which had a significant influence on their productivity and level of living. Thus, recommended the need for more knowledge on physical innovation to enhance the perception of the maize farmers, public-private partnerships approach to facilitate inputs distribution and extension service delivery, and financial linkages in the study areas.