PERCEIVED EXTENSION NEEDS OF RUBBER PRODUCTION AMONG FARMERS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2020
Authors
Adebayo, Sijuwade Adebukola
Ogunlade, Israel
Ede, Evans E
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Agro-Science
Abstract
The need to develop a sustainable exploitation system for the Nigerian rubber farmers requires that extension
services should be available to assist the farmers in specific areas that can help them function effectively and
improve productivity. The study investigated the perceived extension needs of rubber production farmers in
Delta state Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to determine sources of information on rubber
production, varieties of rubber clones cultivated by the respondents, perceived extension needs of rubber farmers,
and constraints to rubber production. A multi stage sampling technique was used to select 120 rubber farmers
as respondents for the study. Data were analysed using frequency, percentages, means and Pearson Product
Moment correlation analysis. Results showed that majority of the respondents (85.5%) were male, married
(83.3%) and had average farming experience of 14 years. The NIG801 and NIG800 varieties were the local
clones majorly cultivated and the GT1 and PB217 varieties were the exotic clones majorly cultivated. Findings
also showed that respondents need production information on use of formic acid for latex coagulation
(66.7%), use of ammonia for latex preservation (73.3%) and marketing information (60.8%). The constraints
indicated by the respondents were problem of land tenure (81.7%), lack of adequate credit facilities (70%),
fire outbreaks (72.5%) among others. The result of the hypothesis showed that age (r = 0.199) had a positive
significant relationship with farmers’ extension needs. It was recommended that extension personnel should
be trained on techniques of rubber production in order to deliver effectively to the farmers.
Description
Keywords
extension needs, rubber, farmers, Delta, Nigeria