Abstract:
This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of Government
Agricultural Extension Agents (GAEAs) in delivering agricultural information to
farmers in Temcke Municipality. Data were collected through a cross section survey
using structured interview schedules, key informants discussions, researcher
observations and reports reviews from different sources. A sample of 120
respondents comprised by a total number of 60 crop cultivators (Amaranthus spp.,
cowpeas, watermelons and cassava), and 60 livestock keepers (dairy cattle and
layers) were randomly selected from Mjimwema, Vijibweni, Kibada, Toangoma,
Charambe and Mbagala wards for the study. Check list questions were used to
collect information from 12 key informants involved 6 GAEAs, 3 Ward Executive
Officers and 3 officers from the study area. The study findings revealed that GAEAs
used individual, group and mass methods through home visits, mobile phone calls,
discussions, demonstrations, bulletins, leaflets, posters for delivering agricultural
information and services notably at minimal level of once to three times in the
previous six months period. Other sources accessed mostly for agricultural
information and services were private extension agents, neighbors and training
whereby, knowledge and skills mostly gained included fertilizers and insecticides
uses, proper planting, diseases control, feed formulation, feed supplementation and
adequate water supply. Generally, agricultural information and services given by
GAEAs were rated as good. Employed Chi-square test showed a statistical
significant at p<0.05. Respondents’ characteristics were regressed through a General
Linear Model whereas, the land size owned. education level and sources of incomes were found to be significant at p < 0.001 and, a reliability coefficient of 0.86 was
deduced.
