EXAMINING THE ROLE OF EXTENSION EDUCATION IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT: INSIGHTS FROM THE GREEN RIVER PROJECT IN NIGERIA

Аннотация

Extension education has been recognized as an essential tool for promoting agricultural development and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in many developing countries. This study aimed to examine the role of extension education in agricultural development and assess the impact of the Green River Project's extension programs on farmers' livelihoods in Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was used, including a survey of 200 smallholder farmers and in-depth interviews with 20 extension agents working with the Green River Project. The results showed that the extension programs of the Green River Project had a significant impact on farmers' agricultural practices, productivity, and income. The study also revealed that the extension agents played a crucial role in disseminating knowledge and providing technical support to farmers. However, the extension agents faced several challenges, including inadequate funding, insufficient resources, and limited outreach to remote areas. This study demonstrates that extension education can contribute to agricultural development and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Nigeria. KEYWORDS Extension education, Agricultural development, Smallholder farmers, Green River Project, Nigeria.