International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Obaje Friday Bernard
Abstract: Agricultural extension is a cornerstone of food security in Nigeria, yet rural communities often face barriers to accessing timely, relevant, and actionable agricultural information. This study investigates the role of development communication in enhancing agricultural extension delivery for food security in Kogi State, Nigeria. Drawing on the Participatory Development Communication (PDC) model and Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory, the research examines how tailored communication strategies can improve the effectiveness of extension services in disseminating agricultural innovations, strengthening farmer capacity, and fostering community participation. Using mixed methods, the study integrates recent Kogi State agricultural statistics—showing that the state’s extension agent-to-farmer ratio remains critically low at 1:3,000, with only 37% of farmers having regular contact with extension officers. Findings highlight significant gaps in extension coverage, digital inclusion, and participatory planning, while also identifying best practices from ongoing state-led and donor-supported programmes. The paper concludes that integrating development communication principles into extension delivery can significantly improve adoption rates of agricultural innovations, thereby boosting productivity, income, and food security outcomes.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20807574
