Abstract

A comparative analysis of video and extension agent training techniques in disseminating rice cultivation practices in Ogun State was conducted during the growing season of 2014. Using a multi-stage sampling procedure, two zones, seven blocks, 19 cells and 72 rice growers were selected. Also, a Quasi-experimental pre and post test and control design was applied. Data were collected through interview schedule based on structured questions on the knowledge gained, adequacy of training method and selected socioeconomic characteristics which were analysed using frequency counts, percentage and t-test. The result showed that farmers? rate of adequacy of video and extension agent usage for training in terms of listenership effect had 94.9% and 61.1%; clarity of training message had 94.4% and 52.8%; retrieval of training information had 94.9% and 11.1% respectively. A significant difference exist in the knowledge gained after training between video and agent taught groups (t= 1.95, P<0.05). The study recommended that video could be used to disseminate agricultural information in order to alleviate the problems of low extension agents- farmers? ratio and promote beneficiary funding of extension services as farmers buy the video tapes.

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