Assessment of Forestry Extension Service Delivery and Farmer Knowledge in Ogun State

Effective extension service delivery is a prerequisite for translating forestry research into practical adoption by smallholder farmers, yet extension systems in southwestern Nigerian states have faced sustained underfunding and institutional restructuring that may have compromised knowledge transfer outcomes. This study assesses the current state of forestry extension service delivery and its influence on farmer knowledge and practice in Ogun State. A two-stage sampling procedure selected 210 farming households across six extension service blocks in Ogun State, with a parallel survey of 35 forestry extension agents. Farmer knowledge scores were constructed from verified questions on tree planting, nursery practice, fire management, and forest policy. Extension contact frequency, message quality, and method diversity were assessed through agent interviews and direct observation of extension activities. Results indicate that fewer than 30% of sampled farmers had received any forestry extension contact in the preceding twelve months, reflecting a severe service delivery gap. Farmer knowledge scores were significantly higher among those with regular extension contact and among households within five kilometres of an extension office. Radio-based extension messages were cited as the most widely reached communication channel. Extension agents reported inadequate transport, materials, and supervision as the primary operational constraints. The study recommends restoration of forestry extension block budgets, integration of mobile-based advisory services, and revised agent performance assessment criteria incorporating contact frequency and farmer knowledge outcomes. Keywords: forestry extension, farmer knowledge, Ogun State, technology transfer, extension delivery