Enhancing Food Security Among Orashi People of Rivers State: Effective Agricultural Extension Service Delivery a Panacea
Publication Date: 06/12/2018
Author(s): Johnwest E. K, Otobo L. A.
Volume/Issue: Volume 1 , Issue 1 (2018)
Abstract:
The study examined enhancing food security among Orashi people of Rivers State using effective agricultural extension service delivery as a panacea. The study area was Orashi region of Rivers State. The study employed a descriptive survey design. The population of the study consists of all farmers in Orashi region of Rivers State estimated at over 636,547 farmers. The sample size of was 1,200 respondents. Four research questions were posed to guide the study. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significant. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient were used to test the instrument and was found to have 0.81 reliability coefficient which was considered high enough to be used for the study. Data collected were analysed using mean statistics and standard deviation with an acceptance mean value of ≥2.50 whereas otherwise rejected. Result revealed that agricultural extension ensure that appropriate knowledge on innovation is implemented, help farmers in their decision-making, assess farmers properties and making technical recommendations, provide link between farmers and researchers; it also revealed that agricultural extension service delivery can enhance food security through radio and television programme, sending farmers text messages and personal letters, telephone contact; developing agricultural programme that will benefit farmers, encouraging farmers to embrace adult education programme, ensure that extension agents are qualified for the job, among others were some of the ways through which the government could help agricultural extension service delivery to achieve food security in the study are. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Government should encourage extension through on the in the job training for higher qualification and exposure; Increase funding of public extension system in order to revamp the extension system and mobilized extension agents for more effective extension work.
