;
By Dimelu, M.u.
The study was designed to ascertain the characteristics of government and nongovemental
organization in the agricultura1 innovation transfer sub-system,
{interims of source of funding, technical information, human resource situation,
extension strategies and practices); identify linkage mechanisms, types and
arr~ngementsw ith relevant agencies, identify possible arrangement and strategies for
functional and effective linkages, and determine constraints to linkages among the
organizations. The study was carried out in southeastern agra-ecological zone of
Nigcria. Extension administrators, directors/chief executives, extension agencies of
government and non-governmental agencies eanstiltuted the population for the study.
A totaI sample size of 210 respondents, made up of 60 (ADPs), 60 (LGs), 60 Iprofit
NGOs) 30 (non-profit NGOs) respondent were used. Two sets of validated
questionnaires were used for data collection. Percentage, mean scores, Duncan
Multiple Range Test, (DMRT), factor analysis, analysis of variance and Pearson
correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. The agencies in the agricultural
innovation transfer sub-system were characterized by inadequate and poor quality
human resource, low staff morale and law job satisfaction. Majority (50%) of the nonprofit
NGOs had participated in in-service training more than 4 times, while extension
workers from ADPs (57.9%), LGs (57.8%) and profit NGOs (50.0%) had no training
for the past 3 to 5 years. The agencies provided several services to the farmers such as
provision of free extension advice, provision of credit or information on credit
procurement, mobilization of farmers into groups, farmers training and others. Several
infrastmcture were identified in the agencies by the respondent namely vehicles,
demonstration ptots, office space, mobile van, public address system and others. The
result reveaIed significant difference in extension methods used by the agencies. The
Ievel of involvement in each of the extension priority area significantly differs among
the agencies. The study also revealed poor linkages among agencies in the innovation
transfer sub-system. Agricultural Development Programmes (72.2%) had strong
linkage with research institutes but linkages with other agencies in the transfer subsystem
were either weak or not in existence. The LGs as well as profit NGOs had no
Iinkage with most agencies both in the innovation generation and transfer subsystems.
Nsn-profit NGOs (50%) reported "somewhat strong linkages" with research
institutes, while 62.5%, 65.5%, and 50.0% indicated that linkages with universities of
agriculture, colleges of agriculture, and para-veterinary fims were non-existent,
respectively. The major linkage mechanisms that existed among the agencies were
only informed and free access to bulletins, magazines and annual reports. However,
the respondents favoured the me ~f other linkage arrangements such as
annuaVquartcrly workshops, joint funding of pmgrammeslproject, joint training of
extension personnel, joint field visits, co-finding of broadcast programmes, and use of
liaison unitfcoordinating body. The strategies identified as fundamental to linking the
agencies were training of managers for linkage leadership, increasing accessr and use
of ICTs, adopting practices of sharing research information, planned orientation
programmes for extension professionals, building linkage responsibly into job
description, professionalising of extension information, adopting a practice of
symbiotic coordination of technology transfer, and forming coordinating body/liaison
unit, Factors constraining linkages among the agencies were po[iticaVpolicy-related,
organizational, attitude-related and motivational issues. There was no significant
difference in respondents' perception of the linkage-constraining facton. The linkage
constraining factors were positively and significantly correlated with several problems
of government agencies aa P I 0.05. The study concludes that extension practice
should be re-oriented towards innovation system, culture for cficiency of resource use
and cost effectiveness in functions. Linkages formed among extension agencies enable
the entire system to explore identified strengths and opportunities of the individual
agencies. This however requires that the systedagencies adopt certain
arrangement/frarnework and strategies to facilitate interaction.