Measuring the effectiveness of the training and visit extension system in Nigeria; the case of the Lagos State extension service operators and the target system

Abstract

Measurement of the effectiveness of the T and V extension system of the Lagos State Agricultural Development Programme from the perspectives of the operators and the target system were carried out in two phases: the first phase identified and selected indicators of effectiveness through correlation matrix analysis of the Extension Agents" responses and those of farmers in Osun State. Phase two of the study measured the effectiveness of the T and V extension system in Lagos State. Data were collected from 214 farmers in 50 villages and 73 Extension Agents in Lagos on the two selected sets of indicators of effectiveness in phase one. Four aggregate indicators of effectiveness from farmers are: number of innovations adopted number of demonstrations in which farmers participated, crop yield and number of SPAT plots in which the farmers assisted the Extension Agents (EAS). The .five aggregate indicators of effectiveness from the EAS responses in phase one are: number of training sessions attended, number of trainings given to farmers, number of demonstration meetings held with farmers, number of SPAT plots established and number of innovations disseminated to farmers. The effectiveness of the T and V extension system was rated as average by the “Operators" and the "target system", respectively. This established the validity of effectiveness evaluation from the operators of the T and V extension system as well as the target system. The Lorenz curve proved that the impact of the T and V extension system in Lagos State were not equally felt by the farmers.

Keywords: Effectiveness, Training and Visit extension system, extension service operators, target system.