Analysis of Factors That Motivate Agricultural Extension Agents in Abia State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP)

The study analyzed factors that motivate agricultural extension agents in Agricultural Development Programme of Abia State. Primary data were collected from 96 extension agents in Abia State, Nigeria who were selected using multi-stage random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean score, ordered logit and Spearman rank correlation. It was revealed that 58.3% of the extension agents were in medium motivation level. Result of the ordered logit regression revealed that salary, work incentive, job security and allowance exerted positive significant influence on extension agents’ motivation level, while work load exerted a negative significant influence. The Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed that level of motivation of extension agents was positively correlated with their age and education level but negatively correlated with their home distance from work location at p˂0.01. Constraints faced by majority of the extension agents were delay/infrequent payment of salary (84.34%), poor linkage between research centres and extension organizations (78.12%), illiteracy among farmers (72.92%), inadequate funding (72.92%) and inadequate equipment/tools (71.88%). It was recommended that the management board of extension agencies in Abia State in collaboration with the state government should design appropriate incentive mechanism for extra working hours and weekend tasks of extension agents and also create a system whereby excellent job performance by extension agents could be rewarded and motivated. These will attract, retain and motivate extension agents to better performance.