Competency Needs Of Extension Agents For Effective Job Performance In The South Eastern Nigeria

Agricultural productions as well as farmers’ productivity anywhere in the world are largely dependent on a functional agricultural extension service. However, the agricultural extension agencies in Nigeria are faced by a number of problems including poor training of extension personnel which consequently makes extension service delivery to be rather ineffective. This study therefore determined the competency needs of Extension Agents (EAs) for effective job performance in the South Eastern Nigeria. The objectives were to: (i) describe the socio-economic characteristics of agricultural extension agents; (ii) investigate the level of competencies of extension agents; (iii) determine the effective educational delivery method to develop competencies; (iv) determine the level of job performance of extension agents; and (v) identify the constraints to the acquisition of needed competencies by the EAs.rnA simple random sampling procedure was used to select 70% of the total numbers of EAs (442) from each state to give a total sample size of 308 respondents. However, 283 copies of the questionnaire were found suitable for use in the analysis. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire; a self rating scale was used to rate competency levels of extension agents while respondent’s job performance levels were rated by their immediate supervisors. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean ratings, and standard deviations. Multiple Linear Regression Analysis was used to determine relationship between competencies of extension agents on job performance.rnrnThe findings of the study were that:rn majority of the respondents were married (83.4%), 46.3% were within the age bracket of 41-50 years of age, female (53.7%), all literate (100%);rn respondents possessed high level of competency in programme planning(¯x=3.59), teaching/communication(¯x=3.56), evaluation(¯x=3.55), leadership(¯x=3.43) human relations competency (¯x=3.38), and technical/subject matter expertise competency (¯x=3.48) but low in computer knowledge and skills (¯x=1.63);rn training workshops in small groups (49.8%), large groups (30.9%), and printed and electronic learning materials (12.3%) were the most effective educational delivery methods to acquire desired competencies;rn majority of the respondents (66.8%) had moderate level of job performance, 22.2% had high level, while 11.0% had low level;rn lack of funding (¯x=4.05) was identified as the most important constraint for acquiring competencies, while lack of credible information (¯x=3.38) was the least; andrn result of Multiple Linear Regression Analysis showed that: subject matter/technical expertise (t =1.963, p = 0.045), programme evaluation (t =9.232, p = 0.001), and computer knowledge and skills (t =2.058, p = 0.041) had significant effect for effective job performance, while programme planning (t=.926, p=.355) and teaching methods (t= 1.769, p=.078) were not significant.rnrnThe study concluded that subject matter/technical expertise, computer knowledge and skills, and program evaluation were competency needs for effective job performance of EAs. Other areas of competency such as programme planning and teaching methods were not highly required. The study therefore recommended that training for extension agents in the study area should focus on, subject matter/technical expertise, computer knowledge and skills, and programme evaluation competencies.

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