Perceived Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension Services among Women Vegetable Farmers in the Calabar Agricultural Zone, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined vegetable farmers' perceptions of the effectiveness of agricultural extension services. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to sample 171 vegetable farmers. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Percentages, mean statistics and multiple regression were used for data analysis. The results showed that technical advisory services on pest and disease management (  = 2.96; SD = 0.77) had a moderate level of access. The most commonly used delivery method was individual farm/home visits (95.3%). The perception statement that recorded the highest level of effectiveness was “extension services have improved my knowledge of pest and disease control” (x̄ = 2.35; SD = 0.84). However, the study identified cost efficiency/ affordability of services (  = 3.62; SD = 0.83) as a factor that mostly influenced farmers' perception of extension service effectiveness. There was a strong relationship (R²₌ 0.656) between factors influencing vegetable farmers’ perceptions and the perceived effectiveness of agricultural extension services. The study concluded that women vegetable farmers had moderate access to agricultural extension services, and their high perception of the effectiveness was mostly determined by cost efficiency/affordability. The study recommended that the extension services should be affordable to boost vegetable production.