Household characteristics and agricultural extension services - as correlates of socio-economic status among farming households in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed household’s characteristics and agricultural extension services as correlates of socio-economic status among farming households in Edo state, Nigeria. The enquiry relied on data sourced from 394 respondents, randomly selected from the three agricultural zones in the state. Frequency, mean, multiple regression and asset formation index were deployed in addressing the objectives of the study. Results showed majority of the households were headed by male (70.99%), most respondents had formal education (85%), were married (57%) and were members of cooperative societies (73.28%). About 37% of the respondents had high socio-economic status (i.e., non-poor), 49.87% were moderately poor while 13.49% had low socio-economic status. Many (80.92%) respondents had contact with extension personnel in the past year, with the modal contact frequency (56.49%) being 1-3 times. Major technologies adopted by respondents included herbicides (67.97%), improved crop varieties (65.14%) and fertilizer (62.9%). Regression result showed that membership of cooperative society (b = 0.061), sex (b = 0.080), farming experience (b = -0.013), family size (b = -0.008), loan access (b = 0.072) and volume of loan (b = -0.023), and technology adoption (b = 0.064) were significant factors affecting farmers’ socio-economic status. The study concludes that the agricultural extension services (ADP) contributed positively and significantly to socio-economic status among farming households in the study area. It recommended that the extension service establish further contacts with farmers to encourage higher adoption of improved farm practices.