ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE ON THE YIELD OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor) AMONG AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ZONE A FARMERS OF ZAMFARA STATE

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study assessed the impact of agricultural extension workers on sorghum (sorghum bicolor) production in the study area. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to arrive at the sample size of 120 respondents. The data obtained for the study was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The finding of the study shows that the respondents had mean age of 39yeras and majority (81.7%) of them were married. The study also reveals that majority (95%) of them were male and literate with one form of education or the other. The findings of the study further revealed that, majority 85% of the respondents had contact with the extension workers at the village square and (43.30%) of the respondents were disseminated with information on improved varieties of sorghum through extension workers. The findings of the study also indicated that the extension workers played a significant impact in diffusion and adoption of improved sorghum varieties and majority (81.70%) were trained by extension workers and the training provided to them was very effective and helps in improvement of their productivity. The t-test analysis result also indicates a significant increase in yield among the respondents after extension contact. The study concluded that majority of the respondent were disseminated with information on new sorghum varieties. The study recommends that more trained extension workers should be posted to the study area.