Farmers Participation in Community-Based Extension Organizations

Abstract

This study investigated the involvement of farmers in community-based extension organizations as a new approach to alleviating rural poverty in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The research included 437 respondents from 18 communities across 6 local government areas, randomly selected from two agricultural zones. Descriptive statistics were utilized to address the study's objectives, while inferential statistics, including multiple regression, t-tests, and binomial statistics, were employed for data analysis. Findings indicated that the respondents had an average residence duration of 14 years, an average age of 45 years, an average household size of 7 persons, average farm size of 3 hectares, and 11.7 average years of farming experience. A majority (81.5%) of the respondents exhibited a moderate level of participation in their community-based extension organizations, which led to a significant increase in farm income, averaging N92,907.18 after becoming members of CBEOs. Respondents showed a favourable attitude (82%) to participation in the groups they belong with particular interest in the areas of: participation in the group has enhanced my farm output and participation in the group has improved my income, amongst other issues of consideration. Socio-economic characteristics that significantly affect farmers income are; participation score (b = 0.029; t = 1.992), length of community residence (b = 0.078; t = 1.964), age (b = -0.029; t = -2.584), educational status (b = 0.125; t = 2.610), household size (b = 0.054; t = 1.979), farm size (b = 0.068; 3.184) and farming experience (b = 0.068; t = 1.999). It was recommended that respondents’ interest should be jacked up to reflect more interest in the groups they belong by improving on their level of participation.