Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Access to Agricultural Extension Services among Rice Farmers in Gaya Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

The research determines the socioeconomic factors influencing access to agricultural extension services among rice farmers in Gaya Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 153 rice farmers, and primary data were collected through structured questionnaires. Percentage, mean, bar chart and Logit regression were used for data analysis. The findings showed that (77.1%) have no access to agricultural extension services and (22.9%) sourced information on rice production from extension agent. Factors that influenced access to agricultural extension services among rice farmers were marital status (β = 0.5694), household size (β = 0.3400), farming experience (β = 0.6156) and extension visits (β = 0.4114) at (p < 0.01). Major problems included poor quality of extension services (46.0%), high cost of extension services (43.0%), and lack of knowledge (33.0%). The study recommended that governmental and non-governmental organisations should invest in regular training and capacity building for the extension agents and update their knowledge to have a good relationship with the rice farmers. The rice farmers' association should gather funds and collaborate with the government and private extension services for subsidised agricultural extension services by qualified and professional extension specialists