Andragogical Principles in Farmer Education: Implications for Rural Extension Agents

Abstract

Agriculture is perceived as the backbone of the nation’s economy. This is so because, it is the source of food security, poverty reduction and revenue generation. The federal government has put in place sound policies, plans and programmes in a bid to improve food security and nutritional status of the citizenry. This creates the need for the present-day farmers to be upgraded both in knowledge and skill to cope with the nation’s food supply. Agricultural extension agents from both governmental and non-governmental sectors shoulder the responsibility of farmers education. This implies that the extent of farmers effectiveness and efficiency is determined by the approaches, methods and techniques utilized by the extension agents in delivery of their duties. The rural farmers as adult learners no doubt possess same unique characteristics of all adult learners. Hence, the need for the rural extension agents to take cognizance of andragogical principles in farmers’ education for optimal result. The study x-rayed the andragogical principles by Malcon Knowles, its application in farmer education and the implications to rural extension agents.