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Effect of Agricultural Extension on Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Sesame Production Technologies

Abstract

Sesame is an important oilseed crop that contributes to food production, household income, employment, and agricultural development. Its adaptability to different production conditions and demand in local and international markets make it an important crop for many smallholder farmers. However, farmers may experience low productivity when improved production technologies are not adequately adopted. Agricultural extension provides farmers with technical information, advisory support, demonstrations, and practical guidance that can promote the adoption of improved sesame production technologies. This study will examine the effect of agricultural extension on farmers’ adoption of improved sesame production technologies. It will assess farmers’ access to agricultural extension services and determine the extent to which they adopt recommended sesame production technologies. The study will also examine the relationship between exposure to agricultural extension and farmers’ adoption of improved sesame production technologies. The study will focus on farmers’ adoption of improved sesame varieties, quality seed selection and treatment, land preparation, timely planting, recommended spacing, fertilizer application, soil fertility management, weed control, pest and disease management, moisture conservation, harvesting, drying, threshing, cleaning, and storage practices. It will also consider farmers’ frequency of extension contact, participation in training programmes, farm demonstrations, advisory visits, and access to agricultural information on improved sesame production technologies. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from sesame farmers using structured questionnaires designed to obtain information on their access to agricultural extension services and adoption of improved production technologies. The data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, adoption level assessment, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to determine the effect of agricultural extension on farmers’ adoption of improved sesame production technologies. The study is expected to reveal that farmers with greater access to agricultural extension services may demonstrate higher levels of adoption of improved sesame production technologies. Regular advisory contact, practical demonstrations, training, and timely technical information may improve farmers’ application of recommended production methods. The study may also identify challenges such as inadequate extension coverage, limited access to improved seed and inputs, insufficient training opportunities, and financial constraints that may affect adoption. The study will be useful to sesame farmers, agricultural extension agents, agricultural development agencies, research institutions, policymakers, farmer organisations, non-governmental organisations, input suppliers, and other stakeholders involved in oilseed production. It may provide useful information for strengthening extension programmes and improving farmers’ access to technical knowledge and improved production technologies. The findings may also assist agricultural organisations in designing practical and farmer-oriented programmes to support sesame production. The study concludes that agricultural extension is an important means of promoting farmers’ adoption of improved sesame production technologies. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension agencies strengthen farmer training, field demonstrations, advisory visits, and dissemination of relevant technical information on sesame production. Farmers should also be supported with timely access to improved seeds, appropriate inputs, and production technologies to encourage adoption, improve sesame yield and quality, and enhance farm productivity.

Keywords: Agricultural extension, farmers’ adoption, sesame production, improved technologies, sesame farmers, agricultural advisory services, farmer training, improved varieties, seed selection, fertilizer application, weed management, pest management, disease management, farm demonstrations, farm productivity.