Analysis of Extension Services in Forest Conservation in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study to analyze extension services in forest conservation was carried out in Ogun State, Nigeria. The objectives were to identify extension services in forest conservation, examine perception of forest officers on effectiveness of extension services in forest conservation and identify constraints hindered extension services in forest conservation. Multistage sampling technique was undertaken following the state ministry of agriculture delineation of forest reserves across the state. A total of 68 forest officers were selected for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result shows that 83.8% of the forest officers were at their active age that fall between 31-45 years with high literacy level, 48.5% had between 11-15 years in service, 26.4% had between 5-10 years in service. Extension services rendered in forest conservation include education programme that emphasized forests officers knowledge related to forest conservation discipline with mean value of (2.73), create awareness through publication in relation to forest conservation with mean value of (2.60). Majority of the forest officer agree that extension services in forest conservation were effective, and major constraints to extension services in forest conservation were mentioned by forest officers. Therefore, the conservation of forests depends on how effective extension services are, for the forestry extension services to be effective the challenges facing the service must be seriously considered and funding of forestry extension programme should be such that has political will by given better materials and service as supportive provided for extension agents.

Key words: Extension, Services, Forest, Conservation, Ogun State.