Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Greener Journal of  Agricultural Sciences Vol. 3 (6), pp. 511-517, June 2013.

 ISSN: 2276-7770 © 2011 Greener Journals

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 061013660

 

Restructuring the Agricultural Extension Service for Effective Agricultural Transformation Agenda in Nigeria

 

Obiora C. J.^1* and Emodi A. I. ²

 

¹Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. ²Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Port Harcourt.

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: chyjoy_obiora @ yahoo. com

Abstract:

The Agricultural Transformation Agenda is all about enhancing capacity for agricultural commodity value chains leading to industrialization and employment creation, food security, infrastructure investments, private sector leadership, supportive fiscal policies and accessible market information systems to the farmers. Poor funding and absence of a well-defined agricultural extension policy among others will constitute a challenge for extension as she delivers in the transformation agenda. True commitment by the government to the newly established Federal Department of Agricultural Extension (FDAE) and proper funding of the Nigerian extension service could be employed as strategies for restructuring extension service in the on-going ATA. For a true and sustainable agricultural transformation in Nigeria, the following recommendations are made: (1) the Federal Government must be honest with the transformation agenda by being supportive and giving the newly established Federal Department of Agricultural Extension (FDAE) free hand to oversee, monitor and provide the leadership needed for an efficient and effective agricultural extension and advisory service delivery in Nigeria; (2) relevant bodies should review the agricultural extension policies within the subsisting agricultural policies and recommend appropriate policies that will ensure the effective participation of all stakeholders in a stable policy environment.
 
Keywords: Agriculture, agricultural extension, agricultural transformation agenda, restructuring, Nigeria.

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