ABSTRACT

This work compared the training needs and job performance of field extension workers in Abia and Akwa Ibom States. The study utilized both primary and secondary data with structured questionnaire as instruments for data collection. The sample size comprised I 72 respondents which included 112 Extension Agents ([As), 28 Block Extension Agents (BEAs), 28 Block Extension Supervisors (BESs) and 4 Zonal Extension Officers (ZEOs) both from Abia and Akwa Ibom States. Data analyses involved descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means, t-test, z-test, correlation and regression analysis. The findings show that a greater proportion of [As, BEAs, BESs were in their economically active years of 24-44 years in both Abia State and Akwa Ibom State. Majority of the extension workers (EAs, UEAs, BESs and ZEOs) both in Abia State and Akwa Ibom State were married. Most of the extension workers sampled in Abia State had up to Ordinary National Diploma (OND) except only 5.4% who had school certificate. In Akwa Ibom State the least formal education received by EAs, BEAs, BESs and ZEOs was Ordinary National Diploma. Majority of the Extension workers in both Abia State and Akwa Ibom State had 5-9 years of extension experience only ZEOs had up to 15-24 years of extension experience. Akwa lbom State EAs had more needs for training than Abia State [As in all agricultural practices except in Agroforestry practices where Abia State EAs agreed they had more Needs for training. The sampled BEAs in Abia State had the same level of training needs in livestock management but in other practices ranging from fishery practices  Agronomic practices Abia Slate BEAs had more needs For training as shown in their mean scores. The sampled BESs in Abia State agreed they had more training needs than BESs in Akwa lbom State in extension message delivery (X = 4.57), soil science (X = 4.37), Agroforestry (X = 3.69) and Agronomic practices (X = 4.43). Therefore the result of Z-test showed that null hypothesis of no significant difference between the training needs of field extension workers in Abia State andAkwa Ibom State ADPs was rejected and alternative hypothesis of a significant difference between the training needs of field extension workers in Abia State and Akwa Ibom State ADPs was accepted. The AEs, BEAs and BESs in Abia State were rated with average job performance and high job performance in most areas while the [As, BEAs and BESs were rated with average. low, and high job performance respectively in different areas. The I-test analysis showed that there was no significant difference between training needs and job performance of Abia State ADP extension workers whereas there was a significant difference between the training needs and job performance of Akwa thorn State ADP extension workers. Marital status, level of formal education and extension experience were positive and significantly related to job performance of [As at 10%, 1% and 5% levels respectively. Level of formal education and years of extension experience were positive and significantly related to job performance of BEAs at 5% and 1% levels respectively. Extension experience was positive and significantly related to • job performance of BESs both in Abia State and Akwa Ibom States ADPs. Poor input backup and irregular supply of SPAT inputs received as major problems for [As. BLAs and BESs in both Abia States and Akwa Iborn States.