Farmers’ Opinions on the Effectiveness of Extension Agents in Influencing Adoption of Agricultural Innovations in Njombe District, Tanzania

Type Working Paper
Title Farmers’ Opinions on the Effectiveness of Extension Agents in Influencing Adoption of Agricultural Innovations in Njombe District, Tanzania
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2016
Abstract
In this study, the extension agents refer to the Village Extension Officers (VEOs) and
Paraprofessionals (PARAs). VEOs are government extension officers while PARAs are the model
farmers who are trained and facilitated to act as extension agents. This study therefore analyzed
farmers’ opinions on adoption of agricultural innovations. Data were collected from 160
randomly selected respondents in eight purposively selected villages using structured
questionnaires. Observations, focused group discussions and secondary data supplemented the
questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was used in data analysis. Findings revealed that majority
of farmers agreed that PARAs bring extension services closer to farmers and they feel free to
contact PARAs. The study recommended that PARAs should be provided with further training
programmes so as to address their technical deficiencies in their work. Furthermore, VEOs
should be given enough working facilities so as to increase their morale of work and hence more
opportunities to contact farmers.

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