Borich needs model analysis of extension agents’ competence on climate smart agricultural initiatives in South West Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The need to tackle the problem of inadequacy of advisory services on Climate Smart Agricultural Initiatives (CSAI) rendered by extension agents led this study to determine the competency need of extension agents on CSAI using the Borich needs assessment model.

Methodology: Data on importance and competence of tasks associated with CSAI were collected from two-hundred and seventy-seven (277) extension agents and analysed using means, ranks, discrepancy score (DS), weighted discrepancy score (WDS) and mean weighted discrepancy score (MWDS).

Findings: The results revealed that although the extension agents rated a lot of the CSAI as important, they were only competent on just few of these initiatives. Furthermore, prominent areas of training needs on CSAI were identified which provided direction on areas of curriculum emphasis for in-service training on CSAI.

Practical Implication: The recognition of the major areas of competency needs of extension agents on CSAI has far-reaching implications for curriculum innovation in developing trainings that will enhance their knowledge and capacity in the dissemination of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Theoretical Implication: The study fills the lacuna of scarcity of empirical research studies documenting issues relating to the competence of extension agents on CSAI with particular focus on highlighting the areas of priority training needs especially in the region.

Originality/Value: This paper is one of only a few to have pointed out areas of priority competency needs of extension agents on CSAI. This has several implications for educating and training extension agents on climate change issues.

KEYWORDS:

• Borich needs model
• climate change
• climate-smart agriculture
• competence extension agents
• Nigeria

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS), North-West University for providing the enabling environment to carry out this research.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Notes on contributors

T. O. Olorunfemi is currently a doctoral researcher at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, South Africa.

O. D. Olorunfemi is a Lecturer/researcher in the field of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria and also a collaborating researcher with scholars at North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, South Africa.

O. I. Oladele is a professor and an experienced researcher, educator, and practitioner in the field of agricultural extension with specialization in technology transfer and innovation systems. He has published several papers and won several awards. He is currently working with Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education, Ethiopia.