Assessment of Farmers Attitude on Payment of Agricultural Extension Services in Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2026564Keywords:
Farmers, socio-economic, attitude, agricultural, extension-service.Abstract
This study was carried out to examine the attitude of farmers towards payment for agricultural extension services in Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State. The study was specifically carried out to examine the socio-economic characteristics of farmers in Otukpo Local Government Area, assess farmers’ level of awareness of paid agricultural extension services in Otukpo Local Government Area, determine the attitude of farmers towards payment for agricultural extension services, assess the perceived benefits of paid agricultural extension services among farmers, and identify the factors influencing farmers’ willingness to pay for agricultural extension services in Otukpo Local Government Area. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The study population comprised 2,230 farmers in Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State. A sample size of 339 farmers was determined using Taro Yamane formula, while a validated sample of 324 respondents was used for the study. The multi-stage sampling technique, combining stratified and convenience sampling, was adopted. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency counts, means, and standard deviations, while hypotheses were tested using simple linear regression. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that the socio-economic characteristics of farmers significantly influence their willingness to pay for agricultural extension services at β = 0.52, R² = 0.38, P = 0.000. Farmers’ level of awareness of paid agricultural extension services significantly affects their willingness to pay at β = 0.48, R² = 0.34, P = 0.000. Farmers attitude towards payment of extension services significantly influence their willingness to pay @ β = 0.50 and R2 = 0.37 and P = 0.000 while perception of benefits of paid extension services also significantly affect willingness to pay @ β = 0.49 and R2 = 0.35 and P = 0.000. The researcher, therefore, recommends that government and agricultural extension agencies should carry out awareness campaigns, improve the quality of services, ensure affordability and demonstrate benefits clearly to improve farmers' willingness to pay for agricultural extension services in Otukpo Local Government Area.
References
Abed, R., Sseguya, H., Flock, J., Mruma, S., & Mwango, H. (2020). An Evolving Agricultural Extension Model for Lasting Impact: How Willing Are Tanzanian Farmers to Pay for Extension Services? Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208473 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208473
Abiola, T., & Nwafor, P. (2022). Knowledge of agricultural extension programs and farmer participation in payment-based services. African Journal of Agricultural Education, 9(1), 44–58.
Adeola, F., & Nnamani, O. (2022). Factors influencing farmers’ engagement in paid agricultural extension programs. African Journal of Rural Development, 10(1), 36–52.
Adeyemi, L., & Chukwu, M. (2023). Role of information dissemination in farmers’ willingness to pay for extension services. International Journal of Agricultural Development, 14(3), 22–38. Akinbile, L., & Abdulrahman, S. (2024). Knowledge And Utilization of Market-Oriented Agricultural Extension Service Among Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal AGRISEP:
Kajian Masalah Sosial Ekonomi Pertanian Dan Agribisnis. https://doi.org/10.31186/jagrisep.23.02.391-404 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31186/jagrisep.23.02.391-404
Akinboye, O. (2024). Effectiveness Of Agricultural Extension Services in Reducing Poverty Among Fish Farmers in The Coastal Region Of Ondo State, Nigeria. Innovare Journal of Agricultural Sciences. https://doi.org/10.22159/ijags.2024v12i3.49234 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22159/ijags.2024v12i3.49234
Alakpa, S. O., & Ehigie, A. O. (2024). Assessment of farmers opinion towards agricultural extension service delivery in Esan Southeast and Esan Central Local Government Areas of Edo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environment. https://doi.org/10.4314/jagrenv.v20i1.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jagrenv.v20i1.1
Aminu, R., Oyawole, F., Arowolo, A., & Ibrahim, S. (2025). Relationship between Access to Agricultural Extension Services and Financial Inclusion Status of Agricultural Households in Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v29i3.16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v29i3.16
Ayodele, O. V., & Akomolafe, S. K. (2024). Arable Crop Farmers’ Use of Private Extension Services in Ondo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v29i1.15s DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v29i1.15S
Bakang, J., Wongnaa, C., Tham-Agyekum, E., Fatimatu, S., Obeng, J. A., Nsafoah, E. B., & Antwi, M. (2024). Determinants of maize farmers willingness to pay for private extension services in Ejisu municipality, Ghana. Heliyon, 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon 2024.e37464 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37464
Begho, T., Daubry, T. P., & Ebuka, I. A. (2022). What do we know about Nigerian farmers attitudes to uncertainty and risk? A systematic review of the evidence. Scientific African. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf 2022.e01309 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01309
Bello, K., & Iroanya, M. (2023). Influence of demonstrated benefits on farmers’ engagement with paid extension services. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 15(2), 27–44.
Ejem, A., Aremu, C., Ajakaiye, O., Ben-Enukora, C., Akerele-Popoola, O., Ibiwoye, T., & Olaniran, A. (2023). Perspectives on communicating 21st-Century agricultural innovations to Nigerian rural farmers. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100511 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100511
Ezeh, C., & Okoro, N. (2023). Farmer demographics and willingness to pay for extension services in Southeast Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension, 15(1), 23–37.
Ezike, K., Okeowata, E., Chukwu, V., & Osuafor, O. (2020). Funding of Agricultural Public Extension Service in a Deregulated Economy: A Study of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. 24–35. https://doi.org/10.9734/arja/2020/v12i130075 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/arja/2020/v12i130075
Fiamohe, R., & Agossadou, M. A. J. (2025). Economic and behavioral determinants of rice farmers’ preferences and willingness to pay for mechanized harvesting services in Nigeria. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review. https://doi.org/10.22434/ifamr.1250 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22434/ifamr.1250
Ifeanyi-Obi, C., Akwiwu, U., & Iheanacho, C. (2025). Assessment of faith-based organisations involvement in agricultural extension service delivery in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences. https://doi.org/10.4314/jafs.v23i1.3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jafs.v23i1.3
Ikoyo-Eweto, G., Adedokun, I. F., Archibong, J. P., & Okwuokenye, G. (2024). Rural farmers access to extension services: Implications for increased adoption of improved farm technologies in Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences. https://doi.org/10.4314/jafs.v21i2.11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jafs.v21i2.11
Inkoom, E., & Dadzie, S. (2025). Cocoa Farmers’ Preference and Willingness to Pay for Climate-Smart Extension Services (CES): A Choice Experiment Approach. Sage Open, 15. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251335857 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251335857
Iworh, O. R., & Ovwigho, B. O. (2023). Attitude and willingness of arable farmers toward commercialization of public agricultural extension services in Delta North Agricultural Zone, Delta State, Nigeria. JAFE. jafedelsu.org
Manteaw, S., Folitse, B., Mahama, S., & Wahaga, E. (2023). Sources of agricultural extension information and farmers’ willingness to pay for the information: Evidence from small-scale pineapple farmers in south-eastern Ghana. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 15, 514–523. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2022.2149041 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2022.2149041
Ojogbane, J., & Gbigbi, T. (2022). Poultry Farmers Willingness to Pay for Agricultural Insurance Policy in Kogi State, Nigeria. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijeab.76.6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22161/ijeab.76.6
Okoro, U., & Umeh, C. (2023). Economic and perceptual determinants of farmers’ willingness to pay for extension services. Journal of Agricultural Innovation and Development, 14(3), 28–44.
Oulmane, A., Lassassi, M., Boudedja, K., & Bouzid, A. (2025). Farmers’ willingness to pay for private agricultural advisory services: the case of citrus growers in the Mitidja, Algeria. BASE. https://doi.org/10.25518/1780-4507.21163 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25518/1780-4507.21163
Teferi, E., Worku, T. D., Wassie, S., Muller, B., Abdulai, A., & Termote, C. (2024). Heterogeneities in Farmers’ Preference for Advisory Services: A Choice Experiment of Vegetable Growers in North-Western Ethiopia. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410821 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.2466.v1
Udoh, E., Vihi, S., Dalla, A., Binuyo, G., & Mbah, J. (2024). Perception of Poultry Farmers on Effectiveness of Poultry Extension Service Delivery in Calabar Municipal Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v28i7.13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v28i7.13
Usman, D., & Talle, P. (2022). Influence of socio-economic characteristics on farmers’ adoption of agricultural innovations. African Journal of Rural Development, 8(2), 67–80.
Yakubu, D., Douseifa, G. G. B., Ango, A. K., & Alhassan, J. (2024). Willingness to Pay for Private Extension Services among Yam Farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v29i1.7s DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v29i1.7S
