Abstract:
This study assessed the extension activities of Agricultural Media Resources and
Extension Centre (AMREC) of University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State. Five
villages that were in active collaboration with the centre were targeted. Ten percent
(10%) of registered farmers were selected from each village given the sample size of 170
respondents. Data based on respondents awareness and participation in the extension
activities of AMREC were collected through structured questionnaire and analysis
was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that
69.6% of the respondents were between 31-50years of age, 68.3% were males, 88.8%
were married and 62.7% of the respondents have one form of education or the other.
Majority (82.6%) were full time farmers with 44.7% cultivating 1-2hectares while
95.0% had technical background before the inception of AMREC in the area. Greater
percentage (59.0%) of the respondents had been having contacts with extension agents
once in 2 weeks. All the respondents were aware of AMREC research activities but
95% had more awareness on market research. Respondents were aware of extension
services of AMREC more than research activities and almost all the respondents were
aware of input supply services of AMREC. Meanwhile, participation of respondents
in research activities of AMREC was occasional while that of extension and input
supply activities was regular. There is significant relationship between gender, marital
status, level of education and level of participation in AMREC activities (χ2
= 20.31,
p<0.05; χ2
= 6.92, p<0.05 and χ2
= 21.58, p< 0.05). Positive relationship exists between
respondents’ awareness of all AMREC activities and participation in the extension
activities. It can be concluded that most of the participants in AMREC activities were
small scale farmers and their awareness and participation in AMREC extension and
input supply activities were more than research activities. More female farmers and
farmers with large hectares of land should be involved. Also, AMREC should ensure
that their research work is disseminated to all farmers within their coverage areas
irrespective of the specific target audience.
