Gender representation in agricultural extension workforce and its implications for agricultural advisory services

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.