Private sector participation in agricultural extension service in nigeria: the need and policy guidelines

Abstract

The issue of who is to undertake and sustain an efficient agricultural extension service delivery between the public and private sectors in sub-saharan Africa has continued to feature prominently among the extension stakeholders and professionals. This has become pertinent, especially in recent times where government’s financial budgets and support for extension programmes have dwindled. Modern agricultural extension work requires a combination and application of strategies necessary to address varying needs of clientele – majority of whom are resource poor farmers. To successfully undertake these challenges, active involvement of the private sector is inevitable. Government’s role shall then be to create enabling environment for more hands to take up agricultural extension functions. This article, therefore highlights the functions, need and policy guidelines to fully promote private sectors’ participation in extension administration in Nigeria.