Effectiveness in Participatory Rural Appraisal Tools by Extension Workers in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the effectiveness of Agricultural Development Programme extension workers in the use of participatory rural appraisal tools in Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the personal characteristics, perceived benefits, usage, effectiveness and constraints of the extension workers in the use of PRA tools. Sixty (60) Extension workers in Delta State ADP were randomly selected and used for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using mean, frequency count, percentage and Pearson’s Product Moment correlation. The Findings showed that EWs were more of males (65.0%), with mean age as 49.3years, 18.6years mean years of working experience and off-project training attended (x ?=2). The EWs perceived high benefits (>50%) and used PRA tools which include semi structured interview (x ?=2.83), seasonal calendar (x ?=2.75) and daily activity profile (x ?=2.68) and were effective only in the use of SSI. The major constraints to effectiveness in the use of PRA tools include inadequate in-service training (x ?=2.75), poor funding by government (x ?= 2.63) and irregular conduct of field activities (x ?= 2.61). Age (r=0.231), family size (r=-0.297) and number of off-project trainings attended (r=0.383) significantly correlated with EWs’ effectiveness in the use of PRA tools. The study recommended adequate pre- and in-service training on PRA for extension workers.