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ABSTRACT
This study examines the effect of public (Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP)) and private (Diocesan Agricultural Development Programme (DADP)) extension services on the adoption of promoted cassava-based technologies in Ogun State, Nigeria. While OGADEP bases its services on the training and visit system of extension, with the basic aim of disseminating technical information to farmers, DADP employs integrated extension services, in which extension services are complemented by input and loan/credit support. Information on the effect of both organisations' services on the adoption of cassava-based technologies was obtained from 160 cassava farmers, who were selected from the domains of both organisations through a multistage random sampling technique. These farmers' adoption of promoted cassava-based technologies was influenced by such factors as accessibility to the extension delivery methods and characteristics of the extension components. While agro-input support services and credit/loan grants were significant factors influencing the DADP farmers' adoption of the cassava technologies, the lack of these services and grants hindered the OGADEP farmers' timely accessibility to the necessary agro-inputs and, ultimately, their level of production. Adoption of the promoted technologies impacted the cultivation of improved cassava varieties, cropping patterns, and crop yield. A significant correlation exists between accessibility to extension service delivery methods and farmers' adoption of the technologies, as well as between the characteristics of the technologies and their adoption. The chi-square test reveals a significant relationship between the effect of the two agencies' extension systems and farmers' adoption of the promoted technologies. It is recommended that OGADEP input and credit-supporting agencies reduce or eliminate the bureaucracies involved in their input and credit/loan support services and that DADP intensify its established input and loan/credit support services to farmers.