Challenges Faced by Farmers and Extension Personnel in Effective Agricultural Extension Delivery in Ondo State, Nigeria

This research investigated the constraints faced by contact farmers and extension personnel in relation to the effectiveness of agricultural extension service delivery in Ondo State, Nigeria. One hundred (100) contact farmers and twenty (20) extension agents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected from June to July 2023 and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The Contact farmers were predominantly aged (56%), mostly male (64%), with secondary education (42%). Extension personnel were mostly male (60%), with tertiary education (50%). Contact farmers identified inadequate training of extension personnel (x = 1.86) and lack of trust in extension agents (x = 1.65) as constraints to the effectiveness of extension services. Extension officers’ constraints included high input cost (x = 2.0) and lack of trust in extension agents (x = 2.0). No significant relationship was found between the socioeconomic characteristics of contact farmers, extension personnel, and constraints to effectiveness of extension services. However, a significant relationship was confirmed between the constraints faced by contact farmers and extension personnel regarding the effectiveness of extension services (r = 0.678,p < 0.05). Contact farmers suggested equipping extension centers with instructional resources (x = 1.26) and recruiting more extension officers (x = 1.20). The study recommends increasing the number of extension officers, and providing them with supportive tools and other resources.