Effect of Quality Service Indicators on the Attitude of Farmers towards Demand-driven Extension Services in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effect of quality service indicators on the attitude of farmers towards demand-driven extension services in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data for the study were collected through a cross-sectional survey using interview schedule. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression models. Result of the study shows that almost 86.0% of the respondents acquired formal education. With respect to the respondents’ attitude towards demand-driven extension services, 98.9% showed favourable attitude while 1.1% were neutral. Findings further revealed that quality service indicators of content accuracy, relevance, timeliness and effectiveness of extension services had significant positive effect on farmer’s attitude towards demand-driven extension services (P<0.05), while efficiency of extension services had significant negative effect on farmers’ attitude towards demand-driven extension services. It was therefore recommended that the extension service providers should always strive to provide high quality services to ensure and sustain farmers’ favourable attitude towards demand-driven extension services. It was also suggested that government policy should be created to favour demand-driven extension service providers to function where they have the comparative advantage in providing farmers with relevant extension services.

Keywords: farmers, demand driven extension, attitude, quality