Agricultural Extension Staff Perceptions Concerning Training Needs in Helping the Potato Producers in The Mwaghavul Cheifdom, Plateau State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VII, July 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Agricultural Extension Staff Perceptions Concerning Training Needs in Helping the Potato Producers in The Mwaghavul Cheifdom, Plateau State, Nigeria

Samuel D. Mutfwang*
*Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jos, Jos Plateau State, Nigeria.

Abstract:-A total of 70 questionnaires were developed and used for the collection of data from 70 selected farmers from the seven districts of the Mwaghavul land. Seven other questionnaires were specifically developed and used for the Agricultural Extension staff serving in the same area. The Agricultural Extension staff are the government workers sent to work with farmers to improve methods, techniques, and production capacities. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency distributions, percentages, rank order, and calculated arithmetic means). All farmers showed they had problems requiring the Extension staff to help. It was, therefore, concluded that the farmers feel it is important to have help from the Extension staff. It was observed that farmers considered future training even more important than present. Also, since the Extension staff considered storage facilities as the most important area for the present training, and keeping of seedlings as most important for the future training. It was concluded that at present, more training is required for storage facilities while in the future, training is needed for keeping of seedlings. It was revealed that both the Irish potato producers and the Agricultural Extension staff chose use of credit source, fertilizer application and storage facilities as very important areas for present training needs. The study showed that farmers from the selected districts put into practice recommendations made by the Agricultural Extension agents with Mangu farmers taking the lead. The study showed that farmers of Ampang West also received the most frequent visits by the Agricultural Extension staff. As for attendance at educational meetings, the study revealed that farmers at Ampang West attended the most meetings. Since all farmers indicated that they contacted the Extension staff when faced with problems, and most of them pointed out that the Extension staff response was unfriendly.

Keywords: Agricultural Extension Staff, Training Needs, Irish Potato, Producers and Farmers

I. INTRODUCTION

In outlining the procedure of this study, it was proposed that a review of literature be done related to the problems of production aspects of agricultural products like rice, corn, millet, yams, and potatoes in Nigeria. A review of literature related to the “role of agricultural development,” in general, was also considered as well as “Nigeria’s economic past and agricultural development.

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