Perceived Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension Methods Used to Disseminate Improved Technologies to Rice Farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study assessed the perceived effectiveness of agricultural extension methods used to disseminate improved technologies to rice farmers in kogi state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio – economic characteristics of the rice farmers, to assessed farmers level of contact with extension agents, perceived level of competence of extension agents to perform agricultural extension activities and farmers perception on the effectiveness of agricultural extension methods in the study area. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. Data were collected using a well structured questionnaire from 212 rice farmers in the study area. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that 59.9% of the respondents were male, with a mean age of 43.5 years. Majorities (58%) of the respondents were married and about 44.3% of them had more than 20 years of farming experience. About 99.1% of the farmers were aware of the existence of extension agents in their area and 87.7% were visited fortnightly. Also, extension agents were perceived to be more competent in performing field demonstration activities and the individual contact method was perceived as the most effective extension teaching method in the study area. It is recommended that the extension agents should do more in contacting more female rice farmers as well as male rice farmers; the extension agents should use variety of extension methods appropriately in order to meet specific extension objectives and to ensure effective use of limited resources, personnel, time and fund which ensure farmers participation.