ABSTRACT
Rubber yield has been on the decline and below expectation due to the gap created by lack of extension services delivery. This study examined the awareness level of Agricultural Extension service delivery in rubber production in Edo South ecological zone of Nigeria. The main objective was to determine the respondents’ awareness level of improved technologies and adoption rate. A sample size of 150 farmers was used from the list of rubber farmers obtained from Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Tree Crop Unit of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. Valid questionnaire used for the study were 137. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for the study. Data collected were analyzed using Frequency distribution, Percentage scores and Linear Regression. The result
of the study indicated, that majority of the respondents (77.0%) were above 41 years of age. Greater proportion of the respondents (82%) had primary school education and could therefore be said to be literate. Most (66%) of the respondents had a household size above 9(nine). Respondent’s contact with Agricultural extension agent was quiet low (18.2%). This means that as much as 76% of the respondents were practically without the necessary information and improve input that could facilitate productivity and improve income which was below N20,000 monthly for more than half of the respondents (55.3%). F value was statistically significant at 5% probability level and the t-value indicated that Ns were not significant. It was recommended that extension delivery should be given adequately priority to empower the farmers to bridge the deficit gap. Regular training should also be organized and more youth should be encouraged to go into rubber production.
KEYWORDS: Extension, Awareness, Rubber farmers, Adoption, Edo South
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