Assessments of the level of awareness and willingness to pay for private extension services by crop farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

With the proper information about existing private extension agencies, it is possible to improve patronage and willingness to pay for private extension services. The study assessed the level of awareness and willingness to pay for private extension services (WTP) by crop farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from respondents using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and kuppuswamy socioeconomic scale. The results revealed that 41.1% of the respondents were aware of and patronized Farmers connect agro-business school while 11.7% of the respondents were aware of and patronized Erhabor Agricultural Extension Services.  Furthermore, majority (91.6%) of the respondents had very high WTP for private agricultural advisory services. About 7.8% of the respondents had high WTP for private agricultural advisory services. On the other hand, 0.6% of the respondents had low WTP for private extension services. It was observed that fertilizer application was the most important advisory service respondents are most willing to pay for. Recommendations were made for the government to set up institutional framework and policy for the development and thriving of new private extension businesses across the country.