Assessment of Agricultural Extension Agents’ Knowledge and Attitude towards Agricultural Insurance in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed agricultural extension agents’ knowledge and attitudes towards agricultural insurance in Osun State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the extension agents’ personal and socio-economic characteristics; assessed the extension agents’ knowledge and attitude towards agricultural insurance; and identified the determinants of extension agents’ knowledge and attitudes towards agricultural insurance. One hundred and six extension agents were randomly selected from those in the public service of the State. Questionnaires that were subjected to reliability and validity tests were administered. Data collected were summarised with descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution while the hypothesis was tested with Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Regression analysis was used to investigate the contribution of selected variables to change in extension agent’s knowledge of agricultural insurance. Results of the study showed that extension agents were academically qualified for the job but 38.7% were rated as having low knowledge of agricultural insurance. About 74% had indifferent attitude towards the scheme. Years of formal education (r=-0.217; p≤0.05), number of trainings attended (r=0.228; p≤0.05) and the attitude of extension agents towards the scheme (r=0.228; phave significant relationship with extension agents’ knowledge of agricultural insurance. Also, unit change in years of formal education (b=-0.226; p≤0.05), number of officers supervised (b=0.280; p≤0.01), ownership of personal farm (b=0.193; p≤0.05) and attendance at agricultural finance related tra ining (b=0.297; p≤0.05) contributed significantl y to unit change in knowledge score of the respondents. In conclusion, it is recommended that specialised training on agricultural insurance be organised for extension agents. Pre-service training curriculum of extension agents should incorporate agricultural insurance.