Farmers’ Adoption of Fee-Based Services of Private Agricultural Extension Agents in Northern Taraba State

Abstract

This study assessed farmers’ adoption of fee-based services of private agricultural extension agents in Northern Taraba State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, identified types of fee-based extension services provided by private extension agents, examined factors influencing farmers’ willingness to adopt and pay for fee-based extension services. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 140 respondents. Primary data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that the majority (72.1%) of the respondents were male, married, and within the economically active age group, with a mean age of 41 years. Most respondents had formal education and were predominantly smallholder farmers with a mean farm size of 4 hectares and mean farming experience of 12 years. The study showed that fee-based services such as farm input advisory services (77.9%) and pest and disease management services (74.3%) were the most commonly accessed services by the respondents. Quality of services, frequency of visits, accessibility of extension agents, credibility of service providers, and previous experience with extension services influenced farmers’ willingness to adopt and pay for fee-based extension services. The study concluded that private agricultural extension services have significant potential to complement public extension systems and improve agricultural productivity in Northern Taraba State. The study recommended increased public-private partnerships in extension delivery, improved awareness creation, provision of subsidies and credit facilities for smallholder farmers, strengthening of rural infrastructure, and establishment of supportive policies and regulatory frameworks.