Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the gender representation in agricultural extension workforce in
Delta State, Nigeria and consider its implication for agricultural advisory service. The employment
status of Village Extension Agents(VEAs) on gender basis was sourced from the Delta State
Agricultural Development Programme (DTADP) office. A sample population (n = 285) of female
farmers was selected randomly from the three agricultural zones of the state. Data were collected using
structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that
the male VEAs’ contact with female farmers was inadequate; the spouses of the women farmers had
negative disposition to their contact with male VEAs. Male VEAs out-numbered the female VEAs. The
implication is that the situation created a dearth of information for the women farmers and therefore a
hindrance to increased productivity on the part of the women. It was recommended that more female
VEAs should be employed; female VEAs to accompany male VEAs on home and farm visits and
scholarship be granted to girls to study extension education in order to encourage girls to take up
career in agricultural extension delivery service.
