Agricultural Extension Services – SS2 Horticulture and Crop Production Lesson Note (Second Term)

Agricultural extension is a service that takes new farming ideas, skills and technologies from research centres to farmers, and carries farmers’ problems back to scientists.

Behavioural objectives

1. Explain what agricultural extension is.
2. Describe the work of an extension agent.
3. State the main roles of extension services.
4. List the benefits of extension services to farmers and to Nigeria.
5. Describe the methods extension agents use to reach farmers.
6. Identify the challenges facing extension services in Nigeria.

What is agricultural extension?

Agricultural extension is the “bridge” or “messenger” service between research centres and farmers.

• Downward flow: new seeds, skills and technologies go from scientists to farmers.
• Upward flow: farmers’ problems, such as a strange new pest, go back to scientists for solutions.
• Example: a university develops a better maize variety. Without extension, village farmers may never hear of it.

Who is an extension agent?

An extension agent is a trained expert who visits farmers in their fields to teach them better farming practices.

• “Classroom”: the agent works like a teacher, but the classroom is the farmer’s field.
• New seeds: shows farmers how to plant and care for improved seeds.
• Fertilisers: demonstrates how to mix and apply fertilisers.
• Equipment: teaches the use of a new tractor or irrigation pump.
• Problem solving: diagnoses crop problems and recommends treatment, like a doctor for the farm.

Who provides extension services in Nigeria?

Extension services in Nigeria are mainly provided by government agencies, supported by research institutes.

• Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs): state-level bodies that employ extension agents and serve farmers.
• Ministries of agriculture: plan and fund extension work.
• Research institutes: produce the new ideas that agents pass on, such as IITA and NIHORT (for horticultural crops).

What are the roles of extension services?

There are four main roles of extension services: teaching new methods, distributing inputs, linking farmers to researchers, and organising farmers.

1. Teaching new methods: teach crop rotation, organic manuring and proper spacing, and demonstrate each in the field.
2. Distributing inputs: act as a collection point for good seeds, fertilisers and chemicals, sometimes at a cheaper, government-subsidised price.
3. Feedback link: take samples of dying crops to the laboratory and speak for the farmer to government and researchers.
4. Organising farmers: help farmers form cooperatives, which makes it easier to get bank loans or buy a tractor together.

Why is extension important?

Extension services raise farm output and farmers’ welfare, and so help the whole country.

1. Increased food production: better planting methods give more bags of harvest and feed the nation.
2. Higher income: more harvest brings more money for school fees and better housing.
3. Improved standard of living: agents also teach nutrition (a balanced diet) and home management.
4. Faster adoption of technology: a farmer alone may take years to learn about a new chemical. Through extension, it can take one afternoon.

What methods do extension agents use?

Extension agents use three main methods to reach farmers: individual contact, the group method and mass media.

Individual contact

• Meaning: visiting one farmer at a time on the farm.
• Strength: best for solving a particular farmer’s problem.
• Limit: takes a lot of time.

Group method

• Meaning: meeting many farmers at once, for example at a field day or meeting.
• Demonstration plot: a small plot set up to show everyone how a new fertiliser or variety works.
• Strength: farmers see results with their own eyes.

Mass media

• Meaning: using radio programmes, posters or mobile phone messages.
• Strength: reaches thousands of farmers at the same time.
• Limit: the agent cannot answer each farmer’s own question.

Comparison of the three methods

What challenges do extension services face?

Extension services in Nigeria face five main challenges: too few agents, poor roads, low literacy, resistance to change and lack of funds.

• Too few agents: each agent has far too many farmers to visit.
• Bad roads: in remote areas, the agent’s motorcycle may not be able to reach the farm.
• Low literacy: some farmers find it hard to follow technical scientific language.
• Resistance to change: some older farmers are afraid to try new things.
• Lack of funds: agents may not get enough fuel or materials to work properly.

Classroom discussion

• Question: a farmer refuses a better seed because “his grandfather never used it”. How would you, as the agent, convince him?
• Hint: think of a demonstration plot, visible results and respected farmers who have tried the seed.

Evaluation

1. What is agricultural extension?
2. Who is an extension agent, and what do extension agents show farmers?
3. State four roles of extension services.
4. Name the three methods extension agents use to reach farmers.
5. List four challenges facing extension services in Nigeria.

Assignment

Explain four benefits of extension services to farmers and to Nigeria.