Assessment of Extension Service Delivery Methods and Farmer Satisfaction in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria

The effectiveness of agricultural extension service delivery is significantly influenced by the appropriateness and acceptability of communication methods used to reach target farmer populations. In Nasarawa State, a range of extension methods including farm visits, demonstration plots, and radio broadcasts are deployed, but systematic assessment of farmer satisfaction with these approaches remains limited. This study assessed extension service delivery methods and farmer satisfaction in Nasarawa State. A sample of 105 farmers from four local government areas was selected through random sampling. Structured questionnaires captured frequency of extension contact, methods preferred, perceived information relevance, and satisfaction ratings. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied in the analysis. Results showed that farm visits and group demonstrations received the highest satisfaction ratings, with 71 percent and 68 percent of farmers respectively rating these methods as highly effective. Radio programmes were appreciated for broad reach but criticised for lack of interactivity and localised content. The overall extension agent-to-farmer ratio was cited as inadequate, with only 38 percent of surveyed farmers having received extension visits in the past year. The study recommends adopting integrated pluralistic extension delivery models combining personal contact methods with digital platforms. Investment in additional extension staffing and transportation resources is also urgently needed in Nasarawa State. Keywords: extension service delivery, farmer satisfaction, Nasarawa State, communication methods, agricultural advisory.