Effects of Agricultural Extension Services on Vegetable Farmers Production in Ifon Orolu Local Government of Osun State

Abstract

The study examined the effect of agricultural extension services on vegetable farmers` production in Ifon orolu local government area of Osun state. Simple random sampling techniques were used to sample a hundred (100) vegetable farmers across the study area. A structured interview schedule was used to elicit relevant information with the use of Questionnaires. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive percentages, frequency, Means, and inferential statistics. The findings showed that the area has young, old, Married, experienced individuals, and there was an equal proportion of both males and females engaged in vegetable farming. The majority were semi-literate since the highest Percentage 37.4% had primary education. The result showed that 50.5% took vegetable Farming as their major occupation while 49.5% had other occupations. The result showed 94.9% knew about agricultural extensions and 28.3% had extension offices in their area, 85.9% got information through group method discussion, and 53.5% from the Extension weekly. The findings showed that 90.9% had 1-5 acres of land for vegetables. Farming, 20.2% had benefited from agricultural fertilizer, and 3.1% on improved quality Seed, and 78.8% had not benefited from the extension services. The result showed that 65.7 had #1-#1000,000 investment cost yearly before adoption and 43.4% had an income of #300,000 -#500,000 after adoption yearly which proved that the extension services have really helped the vegetable farmers to increase their yield and income after the adoption of the extension services. The result also showed that 78.8% had problems with storage facilities, 69.7%with credit facilities, 76.8% with improved varieties, and 78.8% with inadequate information from the extension agent. It was concluded that the benefit and impacts of extension agents and their services on vegetable farmers are of great importance than the problem encountered, and moreover. It is also recommended that since some still encounter problems, the extension agent should therefore start to pay regular visits to their farms and efficient dissemination of the information to the other areas where they claimed not to have heard about extension agents and services.