Discapacidad auditiva

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of two group-based extension approaches (farmer field school and demonstration method) on knowledge and production of vegetables among dry season farmers in southwest Nigeria.

Chapter two dwells on the literature review and theoretical framework. The literature review covers comprehensive review of about twenty-five (25) different concepts and terminologies related to the research topic, as well as the empirical studies. The theoretical framework provided propositions on which the study is premised, and the conceptual model used is predicated on the theoretical framework. The two theories reviewed are the diffusion of innovation theory and the transformative learning theory.

The chapter is concluded with the appraisal of literature and the hypothesis formulated for the study.

Chapter three deals with research methodology which comprised the research design, study population, sample and sampling techniques, research instruments, validity and reliability of instruments, procedure for administration of questionnaire and method of data analysis.

Chapter four presents the findings and discussions. The data collected are analysed using descriptive statistics of simple percentage and the inferential statistics of ANCOVA, mean, standard deviation Scheff post Hoc is used to answer research questions and to test the hypothesis of the study at .05 alpha level. The demographic characteristics of the respondents were analysed and found useful in this study. The major findings of the study are:

There is a relative significant main effect of the treatment groups on improved knowledge of vegetable production in the study. This means that field school and demonstration approaches increase

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the knowledge of dry season farmers in the three experimental groups. The result shows that Osun experimental group recorded the highest level of knowledge.

There is a significant main effect of the treatment groups on improved adoption of modern knowledge of vegetable production in the study.

This means the two group-based extension approaches (farmer field schools and demonstration) used to disseminate new technologies to dry season farmers led to the adoption of new technologies by dry season farmers in all experimental groups in all the three states covered the study.

The highest adoption level is recorded in Osun experimental III group followed by Oyo experimental I and Ogun experimental II. On the other hand, Ogun Control III mostly embraced the traditional methods of vegetable production followed by Osun Control II and Oyo Control I.

There is significant main effect of the treatment groups on yields (kg) of vegetable production in the study. Thus, the null hypothesis is rejected. The result indicates that the group-extension and demonstration extension approaches used to disseminate improved vegetable production techniques to dry season farmers help increase their yields when compared with the pre-test result.

There is significant main effect of the treatment groups on the income of vegetable production in the study. Thus, null hypothesis is rejected. The results shows that the two group-based extension approaches significantly increase the income of farmers in the treatment groups.

There is a significant main effect of the treatment groups on the expenditure made on vegetable production in the study. Thus, the null hypothesis is rejected. This result reveals that the two group extension approaches used to disseminate agricultural information to dry season farmers significantly reduced the expenditure under experimental groups.

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The results from Tables 4.6a and 4. 6b show thatthere is a significant main and interactive Effects of gender and educational levels on improved knowledge of vegetable production. The result indicates that gender and educational level significantly improve the knowledge of vegetable production. Group-based extension approaches are effective means of disseminating improved knowledge of vegetable production to farmers in Southwest Nigeria.

The rate of adoption of improved knowledge of vegetable production by dry season farmers will be higher when group methods of extension are used to disseminate agricultural information to them.

The use of group-based extension approaches to disseminate improved knowledge of vegetable production can bring about increase in the yield of dry season vegetables farmers. There is a significant main and interactive effects of gender and educational levels on improved knowledge of vegetable production. Dry season farmers are not familiar with group extension approaches in southwest Nigeria. They are only familiar with individual extension method.

Dry season farmers are not familiar with improved knowledge of vegetable production so they adhere strictly to the traditional method of vegetable production. The yield of dry season vegetable farmers was generally poor in Southwest Nigeria because they were not aware of improved method of vegetable production that can bring about good yield.

Majority of dry season farmers in Southwest Nigeria have primary and secondary education. This is contrary to the general belief that farmers are non-literates.

Majority of dry season farmers in Southwest Nigeria are males while only few are females. This may be due to the fact that dry season farming require physical energy especially during land clearing, wetting and harvesting.

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In view of the findings of this study, it is evident that group-based extension approaches enhanced the knowledge of dry season farmers. Farmers‘ field school and demonstration methods were found to be relevant in the dissemination of agricultural information to farmers.

The use of individual extension methods did not adequately reach all farmers, especially when we consider the fact that the extension- farmer ratio is too small, which makes it difficult for all farmers to be reached by the limited available extension agents

It is also evident that the use of farmers field school and demonstration methods were very appropriate extension methods to demonstrate practical skills to farmers and to form groups that can be sustained by information sharing, group meeting and group purchase of inputs.

The use of organic manure for production of vegetables increases the yields and income of vegetable farmers.

Drilling methods of planting and fertiliser application increase the yield and income of vegetable farmers