Factors affecting performance of Facilitators in the Fadama 111 Development Project in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined issues associated with the performance of facilitators in Fadama 111 Development Project. All the (68) facilitators in the Fadama 111 Development Project were used. Questionnaire was used for data collection and analysis conducted using descriptive statistics. Majority of the facilitators were females (51.6%) with mean age of 39 years and working experience of 8 years in extension. A greater proportion (64.0%) had degree with specialization in agriculture (50.9%) and social sciences and other disciplines (49.0%). The respondents ranked interaction with supervisors (M= 3.98), methods of human /staff communication (M= 3.56), monitoring and evaluation system (M= 3.32), timeliness of allowance (M=3.22), coordination and supervision techniques used (M= 3.20), provision of training facilities, (M= 3.20) as the first six  organizational factors influencing performance. Job- related issues included pressure to increase output/quality of work (M=3.67), Supervisors  expectations (M= 3.57), staff mobility (M= 3.52), timeliness of input (M=3.49), inadequate training opportunity (M= 3.28), conflicting orders (M= 3.21) and others. Also employee-related issues associated with performance of facilitators were involvement in religious activities (M=3. 37), academic background (M= 3.34) health status (M= 3.26), extended family burdens (M= 3.13), listening to TV programmes (M= 3.12), relationship with spouse (M= 2.98) and others. The study recommends that development planners and administrators should ensure organizational type, personnel development and management systems that could promote and foster enabling working environment, improve capability and staff welfare for enhanced performance of extension workers.

Key words: Facilitator, performance, Fadama, project, and development.