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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND MANAGEMENT

Home > DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND MANAGEMENT


WHAT IS AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION?

Agricultural Extension is a service or system which assists farm people, through educational procedures, in improving farming methods and techniques, increasing production efficiency and income, bettering their levels of living, and lifting the social and educational standards of rural life.


HISTORY OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

The term “ extension” was first used in the British University system early in the 19th century to refer to teaching activities away from the main university campus or for audiences other than the students enrolled for university education.

This principle was however taken by the Americans when the country was in search of solution to her agricultural and technological problems. So, the term “Agricultural Extension” came into use in the United State of America early in the 20th century. Then, farmers’ advisory services were developed in association with the Land Grant Colleges. Each State of the Union was granted land by the Federal Government on which to develop agricultural experiment stations and to build associated educational institutions or colleges. Today, these Colleges are mostly the major Universities, but area still the headquarters of the county-based extension or advisory services.

 

WHY AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION?

The aim of all extension work is to teach rural people how to raise their standard of living, but with the minimum of assistance from government, and by their own efforts, using their own resources. It encourages progressive growth through local leadership, self-help, and civic pride

Extension bridges the gap between the high yields recorded in scientific farms and the low yields achievable in traditional.


The goal of the Department is to produce graduates with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes in the agricultural development process, and those who possess the competence to effectively transmit such skills to farmers and other members of the public.

 

The thrust of a programme in Agricultural Extension & Management is to produce graduates with an in-depth knowledge of both practical and theoretical aspects of the course and is robust enough to permit self-employment after graduation.

Students spend most of their time receiving instructions in the basic sciences, humanities, workshop practice, engineering drawing and general agriculture.

Students are expected to acquire a thorough knowledge of extension theory, its application to contemporary agricultural problems as well as the ability to use quantitative/qualitative techniques in conducting agricultural and rural development research.

 

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the department is to train technocrats and professional workers with competence in the analysis of socio-economic and cultural problems in agriculture. This is in response to increasing opportunities for our graduates in teaching, research, management, public administration, community and rural development.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE

The following may be considered as the areas of responsibility of the extension service

Agricultural Production
Marketing, Distribution and Utilization of Farm Production.
Family Living
Youth Development
Leadership Development
Community Improvement
Public Affairs

EXPECTATIONS OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND MANAGEMENT

The graduates of Agricultural Extension & Management are expected to be able to accomplish the following:

Engage in research that would provide relevant and appropriate solutions to most development problems and improve agricultural productivity in general.

Take up employment within and outside the country in any aspect of agriculture and related areas.

Profitably put their skills into operation by establishing and/or operating their own farming enterprises

Serve as a channel for the dissemination of agricultural information to farmers.

Help farmer organizations, community based organizations etc. to train the interested individuals in skills needed for economic empowerment.


Career Opportunities and Job Prospects in Agricultural Extension

Job opportunities for graduates of agricultural extension exist in both the public and private sector such as

 State and Federal Ministries of Agriculture,

Commercial banks,

Private agricultural companies,

Research Institutes such as NIFOR, CRIN, NIIR, IITA, ARMTI etc,

Faculties of agriculture, schools of agriculture,

River Basin Development Authority and Agricultural Development Projects.

In addition, graduates of Agricultural Extension may become self-employed as farmers, consultants, agro-input dealers, etc. or work with non governmental organizations.

SOME JOBS AVAILABLE FOR AN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION GRADUATE:

Extension Agent

       Extension Officer

       Researcher

       Development Officer

       Livestock Agent

       Crops Agent

       Extension Specialist

       Secondary School Teacher

       Lecturer