Assessment Of Attitude To Work Of Agricultural Extension Agents In Katsina State ;Implication For Agricultural Transformation Agenda

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to determine attitude to work of the extension agents in Katsina State.Multistage sampling technique was employed to select cells and blocks from each of the three KTARDA Zones while simple random sampling procedures were used to select 108 extension agents as respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect information for the study which was analyzed using correlation, descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequency counts and measures of central tendency. The results revealed that majority (49.07%) of the agents had a moderate attitude towards extension work.Finding from correlation analysis revealed that there is no significant relationship between attitude to work and age ( r= 0.102ns), performance(r = 0.153ns), work experience (r = 0.042ns) and the rank(-0.048ns)of extension agents, but the relationship between age and work experience( r =0.476** ) is highly significant while the relationship between work experience and rank(r = 0.185*) is significant at 0.05 level of significant.. Similarly, finding of the survey revealed that extension agents endorsed four problems as some of the problems faced by extension service in the state. The problems endorsed include insufficient number of extension staff, inadequate funding, poor logistics supports and lack of promotion and in sufficient allowance to field staff. Results revealed good salary, regular promotion of staff, provision of in-service training, involvement of staff in planning and decision making of extension service in the state, some level of autonomy and recognition to staff. as factors influincing attitude to extesion work.Thus it is recommended that the state government should employ more extension agents,pay them good salary and involve them in decision making and planning of extension programmes in their establishment for effective agricultural transformation agenda in the state and Nigeria atlarge.