PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES AND TRAINING NEEDS OF EXTENSION AGENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE SAWAH DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the professional competencies and training needs of extension agents for sustainable adoption of sawah (wet rice) method of cultivation in Nigeria. Using a pretested questionnaire, data were collected from one hundred and twenty extension agents of the Agricultural Development Programmes from six states where wet rice cultivation is adopted in Nigeria. The results reveal that extension agents need training in the areas of layout and design, site selection, power tiller operation and management. Extension agents also require training in the areas such as conducting demonstration, communication skills, farmers training and formation of farmers' groups to effectively communicate with producers. The regression analysis shows that the training needs of extension agents are significantly related to years of involvement in sawah, number of training attended and attendance of previous training. The study therefore recommends that more and better focused on-the-job training programs should be organised for the extension staff.