The Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension Services on Food Production Among Farmers in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

This study evaluates the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in improving food production among rural farmers in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. Extension services represent a critical link between agricultural research institutions and smallholder farmers, yet their reach and quality remain limited in many Nigerian states. Grounded in diffusion of innovation theory and current agricultural development literature from 2019 to 2024, the study employs a descriptive survey design. A sample of 245 crop farmers is selected through stratified random sampling from three agricultural development programme zones in Plateau State. Data are collected through structured questionnaires and interviews with extension agents and farmers, and analysed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation coefficient. The study expects to reveal that limited extension agent-to-farmer ratios, inadequate logistics, poor funding of the Agricultural Development Programme, and low adoption of recommended farm practices significantly restrict the impact of extension services. The study also examines how farmer cooperatives, mobile phone advisory services, and community-based extension models supplement formal extension delivery. Findings will generate recommendations for reforming extension funding, deploying digital advisory tools, and strengthening farmer-extension linkages to improve food security outcomes in Plateau State and across the North Central zone. Keywords: agricultural extension, food production, smallholder farmers, Plateau State, rural development