Perceived Effects of Professionalization of Extension Services by Public and Private Agents in South West Nigeria

This study analysed the perceived effects of professionalization of extension services by extension agents in South West Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from three hundred and one (301) public agents and fifty-five (55) private agents that were selected through a stratified random sampling procedure. The public and private agents had basic knowledge about the concept of professionalization and exhibited a favourable attitude towards professionalizing extension services. There were significant differences in the years of experience (t = 5.35, P ≤ 0.01), farmers group covered (t = -14.09, P ≤ 0.01) and distance to clients travelled (t = - 7.65, P ≤ 0.01) by the public and private agents. Extension agents in both organizations had a positive perception of the effects of professionalization of extension services in enhancing and improving delivery. Extension agents’ knowledge (t = 5.303), attitude (t = 12.733), years of experience (t = 2.758), educational qualification (t = 2.037) and rural-urban background (t = 2.061) were significant determinants of their perceived effects of professionalization on service delivery. Extension agencies should support continuous professional development of extension agents through trainings and acquisition of relevant higher degrees that will help to enhance their knowledge thus upgrading their professionalization-readiness status. Keywords: Extension agents, extension service, perceived effects, professionalization.