Impact of Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase-1 in Promoting Agricultural Extension Service Delivery in Kebbi and Sokoto States, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of agricultural transformation agenda support Programme phase-1 in promoting agricultural extension service delivery in Kebbi and Sokoto states, Nigeria. A Multi stage sampling technique was employed to draw a sample of 480 respondents from sokoto and kebbi states comprising seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) in kebbi and one LGA in sokoto state, respectively. A set of structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from the respondents. Descriptive statistics and Logit regression analysis were used for data analysis. The result of the study showed that majority (87.5%) and (86.3%) for both participating and non-participating respondents were male while (12.5%) of the participating and (13.8%) of the non-participating farmers were females respectively. The research study also found out that Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase-1 (ATASP-1) provided agro-inputs to farmers such as improved varieties of seeds (95.8%), fertilizers (49.6%), Agro-chemicals (33.3%). It was found out that ATASP-1 constructed different kinds of infrastructural facilities such as market stalls (17.5%), dispensaries (12.5%), primary school classrooms (27.5%), overhead tanks (12.9%) etc to benefiting communities. The study further revealed that (87.5%), (96.7%) and (1.3%) respondents benefited from value addition techniques, capacity building and farmer training respectively. Logit regression analysis showed that the coefficient of age (0.028) positively and significantly enhanced adoption of ATASP-1. Similarly, the estimated coefficient of t-value of educational level (0.301), Household size (0.011) and farming experience (0.023) significantly influenced the adoption of ATASP-1 innovations. It is concluded that ATASP-1 impacted positively on the livelihood of the participating farmers. It is recommended that provision of extension services to farmers in groups should be encouraged due to scarcity of Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAS), provision of more improved inputs like seeds of various crops, fertilizers and agro chemicals etc, provision of extension services through non-visits such as radio and television programmes should be intensified by ATASP-1, organizing refresher courses and in-service training for extension staff to equip them with modern skills to effectively disseminate improved agricultural technology to farmers. Timely/prompt supply of funds for by Government for effective implementation of the programme.