International Journal of Advance Agricultural Research
ISSN: 2053-1265
Vol. 10(2), pp. 49-57, June 2022
doi.org/10.33500/ijaar.2022.10.006

Information needs of agricultural extension workers on post-harvest management of groundnut in Edo State, Nigeria

Koyenikan M. J. and Omoregie O.*

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: omoregieosagie772@gmail.com.

Received 28 February, 2022; Received in revised form 28 April, 2022; Accepted 17 May, 2022.

Abstract

Keywords:
Information, Needs, Post-harvest, Extension workers, Management.

The study assessed the effectiveness and needs of agricultural extension workers on post-harvest management of groundnut (PHMG) in Edo State. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of extension workers, identify their constraints and ascertain their effectiveness and needs of information on post-harvest management of groundnuts. Primary data for the study were obtained with the use of structured questionnaire administered to 50 extension workers sampled across the three agricultural zones of the State. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive (mean, frequency, percentage) and inferential statistics (Logit regression). Results from the descriptive statistics showed that majority of the extension workers were male (64%) and were married (76%). Majority (48%) of respondents were HND holders and (38%) were B.Sc degree holders. Only a few (14%) were OND certificate holders. The study showed that majority (60%) of the respondents were within the age bracket of 30 to 49 years and most of them belong to a household size of less than members. Respondents were effective in information dissemination of groundnut processing into groundnut oil cooling (x̄ = 2.33), income statement (x̄ = 2.39), inventory record (x̄ = 2.24), size reduction (x̄ = 2.22) and storage (x̄ = 2.52). The study showed that the respondents need information on packing (x̄ = 2.42), decorticating (x̄ = 2.34), filling (x̄ = 2.40), balance sheet (x̄ = 2.26) and pest attack during storage (x̄ = 2.04). Logit regression analysis showed that, level of education (r = 5.17**), Age (r = -2.19**) and working experience (r = 3.63**) of respondents were significant variables since their P-values were ≤0.05. This study concluded that extension workers were effective in some post-harvest management practices of groundnut in the study area but need information on decortication (x̄ = 2.34), balance sheet (x̄ = 2.36), packaging (x̄= 2.06), form of storage (x̄ = 2.20), pest attack during storage (x̄ = 2.04), packing (x̄ = 2.42), expelling (x̄ = 2.14) and cooking (x̄ = 2.24). They were however, constraint by limited funds (x̄ = 3.84), poor storage facilities (x̄ = 3.72) inadequate training of personnel (x̄ = 3.62) among others. As a result, funds should be made available to build more storage facilities, extension workers should be properly trained with more information on post-harvest management and materials should be provided to enhance effectiveness.