Farmers' perception of extension services of the Delta Stat Agricultural Development Programme (DTADP)

Abstract

The paper investigated farmers’ perception of Extension Services Provided by Delta State Agricultural Development Programme (DTADP) in Delta North Agricultural Zone, Delta State, Nigeria. Data for the study was obtained with the aid of an interview schedule from 90 respondents in the study area. Findings from the study revealed that Delta State Agricultural Development Programme (DTADP) provides extension services to farmers in all the 18 service areas listed in this study. The study also showed that sufficient awareness was created among the farmers in only 7 of the service areas. Farmers were satisfied with the level of services provided by DTADP in only 5 service areas namely: food crops, agro forestry, poultry fisheries and farm credit procurement and utilization. This implied therefore that the farmers were not satisfied with the level of services provided in the remaining 13 service areas. Based on the findings of this study, it recommended that DTADP should evolve strategies to improve the awareness level in those service areas that sufficient awareness is yet to be created. There is also the need to enhance the quality of services rendered so as to raise the confidence and satisfaction of farmers is services provided by DTADP