Analysis of the Use of Local Resources in Extension Education Programme in Nkonkobe Local Municipality of Eastern Cape

Abstract

The paper identified the available local resources for extension education and the constraints in the use of these local resources in Nkonkobe local Municipality. The survey was conducted in the peri-urban areas of Fort Beaufort, Alice, Seymour, Balfour, Hogsback and Middledrift from 7th to 29th September 2010 by interviewing 58 farmers on the identification of local resources and their perception of constraints in the use of local resources. The study revealed that there are local resources embedded in the area for use in Extension teaching and learning. The perception of constraint (inadequate access to local resources) increased significantly with age (P = 0.04) and farm experience (P = 0.045). The fundamental strategies for a successful Extension work should be to develop a process which not only creates co-operative platforms for the use of local resources for rural improvement, but also reinforces farmer’s ingenuity and inspires them to learn and accept innovation.The available local resources in Nkonkobe Local Municipality are well distributed in the community and are important for the achievement of educational goals in Extension teaching and learning.