Influencing Factors of Competency for Extension Practitioners in Promoting Napier Grass Cultivation Among Pastoralists in Nigeria

Purpose: This study aimed to strengthen the competency of extension practitioners through Napier grass cultivation to tackle issues of social and environmental insecurity in the country.
Research Method: The study used a descriptive research design and employed Borich’s model to process the knowledge and competency of 200 extension practitioners on tasks related to Napier grass cultivation. Data analysis was done using means and ranks while discrepancy scores were also determined.
Findings: The study revealed a degree of inadequacy in the practitioners’ knowledge of Napier grass cultivation, but they rated the intervention of extension practitioners as important. The study found that in-service training to improve practitioners’ competency and skill in speaking pastoralists’ language is highly required for effective communication and information dissemination of Napier grass cultivation. Identification of the competency areas will boost capacity for grassland intensification strategies among pastoralists and stimulate training programs that will enrich practitioners’ knowledge; improve their innovation for adaptation to climate change impact; and develop their mitigation ability for social and environmental insecurities.
Originality/ Value: The study is novel in reporting, for the first time, the competencies of extension practitioners in promoting grassland intensification for pastoralists in Nigeria. It further reduces the paucity of empirical studies on the competency of extension practitioners, with a particular focus on their training needs.