Constraints limiting the effectiveness of extension agents in disseminating climate-smart agricultural practices among rice farmers in north-Central Nigeria

Ojo, Ibukun Elizabeth and Akangbe, Jones Adebola and Kolawole, Ebenezer Ayorinde and Owolabi, Ayotunde Olayinka and Obaniyi, Kayode Samuel and Ayeni, Matthew Durojaiye and Adeniyi, Victoria Abosede and Awe, Toluwalase Eniola (2024) Constraints limiting the effectiveness of extension agents in disseminating climate-smart agricultural practices among rice farmers in north-Central Nigeria. Frontiers in Climate, 6. ISSN 2624-9553

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Abstract

Climate-smart agricultural practices play a crucial role in achieving national food security and development goals, and the significance of extension agents in this endeavor is invaluable. In view of this, this study investigated the constraints limiting the effectiveness of extension agents in disseminating climate-smart agricultural practices to rice farmers in North-central, Nigeria. The study specifically examined the socioeconomic characteristics of the extension agents, the dissemination pathways employed by them, constraints limiting extension agents from effectively disseminating climate-smart agricultural practices, and the factors that influence their constraints. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire administered to 88 respondents selected through a multistage sampling procedure. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and Pearson product–moment correlation. Results showed a mean age of 48 years; most respondents were male (93.2%), married (95.5%), and had tertiary education (85.2%). The main dissemination pathways used were farm and home visits (x̄ = 1.73), result demonstration (x̄ = 1.66), and method demonstration (x̄ = 1.58). Key constraints were insufficient number of extension workers to serve many farmers (x̄ = 1.87), lack of incentives for staff motivation (x̄ = 1.83), and inadequate means of transportation (x̄ = 1.83), ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively. There was a negative significant correlation (p = 0.05) between number of trainings and personal constraints, and also with institutional constraints (p = 0.017) in disseminating climate-smart agricultural practices. Therefore, it is recommended that extension agents receive periodic training and incentives such as awards, cash rewards, promotions, and staff recognition from government bodies to enhance their performance.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Original Research article in Frontiers in Climate (Climate Adaptation section). The study surveyed 88 extension agents in North-Central Nigeria and assessed their dissemination pathways for climate-smart agricultural practices, the key constraints limiting effective dissemination, and factors influencing those constraints (questionnaire-based survey; descriptive and inferential analysis).
Uncontrolled Keywords:	climate-smart agriculture; CSA; agricultural extension; extension agents; dissemination pathways; rice farmers; North-Central Nigeria; climate adaptation; constraints; ICT; training; agricultural advisory services; climate change communication
Subjects:	S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Depositing User:	TOLUWALASE AWE
Date Deposited:	11 Feb 2026 10:17
Last Modified:	11 Feb 2026 10:17
URI:	https://eprints.lmu.edu.ng/id/eprint/5894

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