SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS INFLUENCING EXTENSION AGENTS’ COMPETENCIES IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the socioeconomic factors influencing the competency level of extensionagents in South-east, Nigeria. A simple random sampling procedure was used to select 283extension agent respondents representing 70% of extension agents’ total numbers acrosseachstateData were collected through a structured questionnaire; a self-rating scale was used todetermine the extension agents’ competency levels in their extension activities. Frequencycounts, percentages, mean scores, standard deviation and the Linear Regression was used toanalyse the study data. The results shows that, majority of the respondents were married(83.4%), 46.3% were within the age bracket of 41 and 50years, and they were all literate(100%). Respondents were found to possess high level of competence in programme planning( =3.59), demonstration and communication ( =3.56), evaluation (m=3.55), leadership( =3.43) human relations ( =3.38) and technical expertise ( =3.48). They were however lowin computer skills and knowledge ( =1.63). Majority of the respondents (58.0%) had moderatelevel of competency. Extension agents’ age, sex, marital status, distance to work and incomewere found to have significant influence on the competency levels of the extension agents. Thestudy recommended that attention should be paid to the crucial socio economic characteristics ofthe extension agents that had influence on their competency levels; Extension agents should alsobe trained on those areas where their competencies were rated low