Impact of Agricultural Extension Information on Technology Adoption and Farm Performance in Imo State, South East Nigeria

Agricultural extension information is hypothesised to reduce knowledge constraints limiting technology adoption, but the pathways through which extension contact affects farm performance at the household level require empirical clarification. In Imo State, where extension service delivery has undergone significant institutional restructuring, the information-adoption-performance nexus has not been rigorously examined. This study investigated the impact of agricultural extension information on technology adoption and farm performance in Imo State using data from 220 farming households. A mediation analysis framework was applied to examine whether technology adoption mediates the relationship between extension information access and farm productivity. Technology adoption was operationalised as the number of improved practices adopted, while farm performance was measured as crop output value per hectare. Results showed that extension information access had a significant direct effect on both technology adoption and farm performance. Adoption of improved practices mediated approximately 55 percent of the total effect of extension information on farm productivity, supporting the knowledge-adoption pathway. The type of extension delivery method moderated the strength of outcomes, with demonstration-based learning associated with the strongest adoption effects. The study recommends a shift toward demonstration-intensive extension methods in Imo State and integration of digital advisory tools to increase the breadth of information reach. Keywords: extension information, technology adoption, farm performance, Imo State, mediation analysis.