Agricultural Extension Services Offered for Vegetable Production in the Southern Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Contributions of Agricultural extension services, Vegetable production, Southern agricultural zoneAbstract
This study examined the agricultural extension services offered for vegetable production in the Southern Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 150 vegetable farmers. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with percentages and mean statistics. The most commonly produced vegetables were waterleaf (83.3%) and fluted pumpkin (80%). Key extension services offered included procurement of inputs (88.0%) and management services (82.7%), both perceived as useful (????? = 3.01 and ????? = 2.99). Major constraints to accessing extension services were finance (????? = 3.12) and lack of awareness (????? = 3.08). The relationship between farmers’ perception and the agricultural extension services offered revealed a significant positive correlation (r=0.83) between farmers’ perception and the agricultural extension services offered. Linking farmers with credit providers and enhancing awareness to improve service utilisation and vegetable production.References
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