Assessment of Non-Governmental Organisations Activity Orientation and Prospect in Extension Delivery in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the prospect of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) engagement in agricultural extension service delivery in Edo State, Nigeria. Specific issues addressed included the type of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the study area, and their willingness to participate in extension service delivery. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaire, from 143 NGOs selected from the three agricultural zones of the state using Snowball sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using frequency count and mean as well as Friedman test. The dominant forms of NGOs in the study area were; health (53.1%), economic (vocational skills capacity building) (35.7%), advocacy/good governance (32.9%) civil rights (28.0%), educational development (21%), environmental (16.1%) infrastructural development (8.4%), social welfare (7.7%), Society watchdog (2.8%), conflict resolution (2.8%), agriculture (2.1%) and religion (0.7%). Only few NGOs (23%) were engaged in entrepreneurial activities with crop and livestock farming being dominant. The Freidman test (χ²=41.55) was significant at 5%level indicating that significant differences existed among the NGO types in their willingness to engage in extension service delivery.NGO type such as agriculture (mean= 3.93), economic (vocational and capacity building) (mean=3.75), and educational (mean=3.66) were significantly more willing to engage in agric-oriented activities compared to other NGO types. It was recommended that appropriate policies and enabling environment should be put in place by agricultural policymaker to encourage NGOs participate in extension services, while linkage with ADPs be strengthen to enhance production performance of those engaged in farm enterprises.

Key Words: Entrepreneurship, Non-Governmental Organizations, Extension Service Delivery, Edo State.