Evaluating the Effectiveness of Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme Extension Services on Smallholder Farmers’ productivity in IjebuOde, Ogun State

Abstract

Smallholder farmers in Ijebu-Ode Agricultural Zone Ogun State Nigeria face persistent barriers to productivity, including limited access to credit, low mechanization and inadequate extension services. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP) in enhancing farmer productivity using a descriptive survey design. Data were collected from 126 randomly selected farmers across three extension blocks (Ijebu-Ife, Isoyin, and Ala) via a structured questionnaire. The results revealed a male-dominated (63.5%), middle-aged (mean = 45 years) farming population with small farms (mean = 1.61 hectares), limited access to credit (31.7%), and minimal government support (23.8%). OGADEP’s services were rated highly for relevance (mean = 3.44) and farm management improvement (mean = 3.40) but lower for accessibility (mean = 2.86) and timeliness (mean = 2.97). Logit regression (Pseudo R² = 0.47) identified crop yield, improved seeds, farm income, and soil management as significant productivity drivers (p < 0.01). Despite farmers’ experience and moderate education, productivity is constrained by infrequent extension visits and unequal access. It is concluded that smallholder farmers in the Ijebu-Ode Agricultural Zone possess considerable farming experience and modest education, their productivity remains hindered by limited access to credit, poor mechanization, inadequate government support, and unequal access to extension services. It is therefore, recommended that expanding OGADEP’s outreach through more agents, timely services, ICT-based platforms, and regular workshops, alongside promoting credit schemes, mechanization, cooperative formation, and integrating weather and market advisories be provided to boost agricultural productivity of the smallholder farmers.