The role of agricultural extension worker in educating farmers in plantain production in selected local government areas in edo state

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong><br><strong>1.1 &nbsp; Background of the Study</strong><br>Plantain belongs to the family <em>Musacea sp</em>&nbsp;and the genus <em>Musa.</em>&nbsp;It is a perennial herbaceous plant, 2 to 9 meter tall with an underground rhizome or corm. The principal species are <em>Musa paradisca</em>&nbsp;(French plantain) <em>Musa acuminate</em>&nbsp; and <em>Musa corniculata</em>&nbsp;(Horn Plantain).<br>The cultivars of plantain are French plantain, French horn<br>plantain, false horn-plantain and horn-plantain. Plantain thrives on a<br>wide range of tropical and sub-tropical climates. It requires an<br>optimum temperature of 300C, mean monthly rainfall of 100mm, pH 4.5 and<br>7.5 and thrives on sandy loam soils (Faturoti, 2006).<br>Plantain Originated in South India and moved to South East<br>Africa, from where it spread to Central and West Africa, it is believed<br>to be the oldest cultivated fruit in West Central Africa. Plantain is<br>grown as a staple food in 52 countries and world wide or about 12.5<br>million acres (Food and Agriculture Organization. Agro stat data base,<br>2004). World production of plantain was estimated in 1985 at 25 metric<br>tons of this, 19.6 tons was projected for Africa, Latin America was the<br>second place producer at 4.1 million metric tons (IFAD, 2001). Annual<br>production in Nigeria is 1, 855, 000 metric tones (RMDC, 2002).<br>In Nigeria, the false horned type is the most widely<br>distributed because of its ability to tolerate poor soil condition than<br>others (John &amp; Marehel, 1995). In Nigeria, plantain is produced in<br>large quantities in Edo, Delta, Ogun, and Ondo States. Other producing<br>states are River State, Cross River, Imo, Plateau, Kogi, Abia and<br>Enugu. Plantain cultivation is not limited to big plantation but is<br>often grown in small orchards which sometimes go unnoticed (Jirgi and<br>Baba, 2001).<br>Agricultural Extension worker plays an important role in<br>educating farmers on plantain production in the selected areas in Edo<br>State because plantain is important in the diet of many Nigerian<br>families, it is normally eaten in convenient form like “dodo” (fried<br>ripe pulp), chip (fried unripe pulp) and as plantain flour (Akinwumi,<br>1999), this plantain flour has an advantage over other starchy foods<br>because it contain protein, mineral &amp; vitamins. Medicinally plantain<br>can be used to cure some ailment like sore throat, tonsillitis,<br>diarrhea and vomiting, due to its high nutrients, plantain is used in<br>the production of soymusa, which can be used in the treatment of<br>Kwashiorkor (Idachaba, 1995).<br>In Edo State some agricultural extension activities include the following:</p><div><ul><li>getting the farmers into a frame of mind and attitude<br>conducive to acceptance or adoption of technological change. This<br>function is achieved by educating the farmers on newly developed<br>technology and to convince them of the visibility of the new<br>technologies in agriculture.</li><li>disseminating to the plantain farmers the result of<br>research and to carry the farmer’s problem back to the research system<br>for solution. In order to perform this function properly, effective<br>communication exist among the research institute, the extension agent<br>and the farmers and,</li><li>helping farmers make wise decision in farm management<br>processes. Extension is a significant tool in assisting the farmers to<br>develop proficiency in the management of his farm and general<br>agricultural advisory services (Agbamu, 2006).</li></ul></div><p>Broadly speaking the role of agricultural extension workers<br>call for the unique blend of skills and attitude. They must have the<br>competence to understand and apply technical information related to<br>their work as well as the ability to diagnose problems and come up with<br>possible solutions such as adopting to new innovation practices. They<br>should plan and organized extension activities and willingness to<br>interact with others. The delivery system that matter most in dealing<br>with farmers are the subject matter specialists who will help in<br>assisting the extension agents in educating the farmers. Extension<br>agents are also involved in farm input distribution (e.g. seed yam,<br>hybrid maize, improved sucker e.t.c.) which invariably increase output<br>and income generation.</p><p><strong>1.2 &nbsp; Statement of Problem</strong><br>For the past two decades, the major challenges be deviling<br>developing countries like Nigeria is that of food insufficiency which<br>is dependent on the frequency of extension workers effectiveness.<br>Insufficient education of the farmers involved in plantain production<br>contributes to food production shortage. &nbsp;<br>The backdrops of plantain production in agricultural extension are itemized in the following research questions:<br>a. &nbsp; &nbsp; What are the social-economic characteristics of<br>plantain farmer in selected Local Government areas in Edo State?<br>b. &nbsp; &nbsp; How does farmers get information on plantain technology in the study Areas?<br>c. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; What are types of planting material used by the farmers in the selected local Government Areas in Edo State?<br>d. &nbsp; &nbsp; What is the level of adoption of technology in plantain production by the farmers in the study Areas?<br>e. &nbsp; &nbsp; What are the possible constraints faced by farmer in<br>plantain production in some selected Local Government Areas?</p><p><strong>1.3 &nbsp; Objective of the Study</strong><br>The major objective of this study is to determine the role of<br>agricultural extension workers in educating the farmers in plantain<br>production in the study area.<br>Specific objective were to:<br>a. &nbsp; &nbsp; identify the socio-economic characteristics of farmers in the study areas;<br>b. &nbsp; &nbsp; ascertain the source of information on plantain<br>technology to the farmers in selected Local Government Areas in Edo<br>state;<br>c. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; analyze the level of adoption of technology in plantain production by the farmers;<br>d. &nbsp; &nbsp; survey the types of planting material used by the farmers and<br>e. &nbsp; &nbsp; assess the constraints faced by farmers in plantain production.</p> <br><p></p>