There is a general concern that agricultural extension in
Africa is not working as well as it should. Extension services are one of the
policy instruments which can be used to solve the food insecurity challenges.
This understanding has led to a team of extension experts in agricultural
extension to organise themselves under the name of Extension Africa. The team
saw a need to conduct a benchmark study with the aim of unravelling
circumstances facing agricultural extension in selected African countries such
as Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana and South Africa. The members of Extension Africa
were drawn from these countries. This study presents the situation of three
districts in Limpopo Province of South Africa in which thirty extension
officers were interviewed using a questionnaire. Collected data were captured
into the SPSS Version 23 IBM programme and analysed using the cross-tabulation
statistical technique. The findings suggest that there are gaps in the critical
areas such as educational levels, job satisfaction, extension methods,
communication, extension goal and training needs. It was further revealed that
the female extension to male ratio is skewed, although they are showing a
reasonable level of marital status. The level of in-service training needs was
also found to be inadequate. Therefore, the following areas of extension need
attention to improve extension delivery: in-service training and Information
and Communication Technology (ICT). As far as job satisfaction is concerned,
the main challenge is linked to salary. The study concludes with a
recommendation targeting both the extension managers and policy makers, who are
encouraged to develop strategies to address the gaps identified by the study.
The study has provided guidance in resolving the developmental
challenges faced by extension practitioners, which, if resolved, will
contribute to resolving challenges of small holder farmers in Limpopo.
Author(s) Details
E.M. Zwane
Agricultural Extension, School of Agriculture, University of Limpopo, P/Bag
X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nhstc/v6/933
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