COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE TRAINING NEEDS AND JOB PERFORMANCE OF EXTENSION AGENTS IN ABIA AND AKWA IBOM STATES ADPs OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The study compared the training needs and job performance of extension agents in Abia and Akwa Ibom States of Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted to select 56 Extension agents from each State to give a total of 112 extension agents.Data were collected using Structured Questionnaire and analyzed with Descriptive statistics and Inferential statistics such as Z-test, Likert scale, least square, regression, correlation and t-test were used to compare socio-economic characteristics, training needs, job performance and highlight challenges limiting  job performance of extension workers. Akwa Ibom State Extension agents had more training needs those in Abia State in Livestock management with  mean scores of 3.07 and 3.39which no doubt affected their levels of Job performance with mean scores of 2.94 and 3.05 for AkwaIbom and Abia State extension agents respectively. Similar results were also obtained in Training Needs for Extension message Delivery where AkwaIbom and Abia States extension agents had mean scores of 4.20 and 4.09 and mean scores of 3.37 and 3.64 for level of Job performance for AkwaIbom and Abia State extension agents, respectively.The T-test showed that there was no significant difference between training needs and job performance of Abia State extension agents[p-value= 0.064 while the alpha value is 0.05] whereas there was a significant difference between the training needs and job performance of Akwa Ibom extension agents [p-value = 0.000 while alpha value is 0.05]. Result showed that marital status [t-value of 1.988 was significant at 0.10%], level of education and years of extension were positively significant at 1% and 5% respectively to job performance of Extension Agents in both States. Among the constraints identified by both Abia State and Akwa Ibom extension agents were irregular supply of OFAR and SPAT inputs. The study recommended policy measures to address the problems of extension agents.