AWARENESS OF EXTENSION PROFESSIONALS ON AGRO-METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA. 1

• T. A. Pius

  Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Correspondence author: femtad4real

  Author

• O. M. Akinnagbe

  Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Correspondence author: femtad4real

  Author

This study ascertained the awareness of extension professionals on agro-meteorological information in three agroclimatological zones of Ondo State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting 112 respondents among the extension staff in the State.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chisquare.The mean age of the respondents was 43 years while majority of the respondents were male76.8%, married 90.2% and Christians were89.3%.The average household sizes were 4 persons while53.6% of the extension professionals possessed first degree. Majority of the respondents had an average working experience of 12 years. The extension agents (EAs) constituted the largest group of the extension professionals 57.2%. About 84% of the extension professionals utilize information on seasonal rainfall prediction;other agro-meteorological information utilized includes information on daily weather forecast 96.4%and occurrence of pest and diseases72.2%. Working experience had significant association with utilization of all the agro-metrological information. This study showed that extension professionals should ensure timely delivery of agro-meteorological information to farmers so that farmers can use these agro-meteorological information to plan for their next planting season.

1. T. A. Pius, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Correspondence author: femtad4real

   Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Correspondence author: femtad4real

2. O. M. Akinnagbe, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Correspondence author: femtad4real

   Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Correspondence author: femtad4real

• PDF