Evaluation of the linkage system of Research-Extension-Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria: Lesson for Agricultural Extension Administrators

Abstract

The study evaluated the researcher-extension agents-farmers linkage system in Oyo State, with a view to improving production of arable farmers through effective communication. Pre-tested structured questionnaire were used to elicit information from forty researchers from four of the nine research institutes in Oyo state. Forty-four extension agents were randomly selected and interviewed from the States’ Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS). Also, fifty farmers were randomly selected and interviewed from the two ADP zones in the State. Results showed that 76% of farmers had contact with extension agents and 87% of researchers had contact with extension agents. There was a strong communication links between extension agents and researchers and between researchers and farmers. There was a strong communication linkage between researchers and extension agents, researchers and farmers as well as between extension agents and farmers. Demonstration (b = 0.68) and informal contacts (b = 0.37) were significant communication linkages at P < 0.05 between researchers and farmers. Publication in journals (b = 0.55) was the significant communication channel among researchers. The study concluded that a strong linkage exists among researchers, extension agents and farmers. Extension administrators must ensure that linkages among extension stakeholders are always strong. Key words: Evaluation, linkage, research, extension, farmers, administrators.