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Effect of Agricultural Advisory Services on Farmers’ Adoption of Plant Disease Prevention Practices

Abstract

The study examines the effect of agricultural advisory services on farmers’ adoption of plant disease prevention practices. Plant diseases can negatively affect crop growth, yield, quality, and farm income when appropriate preventive measures are not applied. Preventive practices are important because they can reduce conditions that favour the development and spread of plant diseases and support healthier crop production. Agricultural advisory services provide farmers with technical information and practical guidance on appropriate disease prevention practices. The study will assess farmers’ access to agricultural advisory services on plant disease prevention and examine the extent to which farmers adopt recommended preventive practices. It will also identify the major disease prevention practices used by farmers and determine the types of advisory information received on crop health management. The study will consider practices such as the use of healthy planting materials, field sanitation, crop rotation, appropriate spacing, removal of infected plant materials, timely field inspection, and proper farm hygiene. A descriptive survey design will be adopted for the study. The population will comprise crop farmers in the selected study area, from whom respondents will be selected using an appropriate sampling procedure. Data will be collected through a structured questionnaire administered to the sampled farmers. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation will be used to analyze the data, while an appropriate inferential statistical technique will be employed to determine the effect of agricultural advisory services on farmers’ adoption of plant disease prevention practices. The study is expected to reveal the level of farmers’ access to agricultural advisory services on plant disease prevention and the extent of their adoption of recommended practices. It is also expected to identify the commonly adopted disease prevention measures and the major challenges farmers encounter in implementing them. The findings may further indicate areas where additional advisory support, practical demonstrations, and technical information are required to improve farmers’ disease prevention practices. The study will be useful to agricultural extension officers, crop protection agencies, policymakers, and farmers’ organizations by providing information on the role of agricultural advisory services in promoting plant disease prevention. The findings may assist extension personnel in developing practical advisory programmes that emphasize healthy planting materials, field sanitation, crop management, and early disease prevention. Improved adoption of appropriate preventive practices may contribute to healthier crops, reduced disease-related losses, and improved farm productivity. The study will conclude by assessing the contribution of agricultural advisory services to farmers’ adoption of appropriate plant disease prevention practices. Based on the findings, the study will recommend regular advisory visits, practical field demonstrations, timely crop health information, and improved access to technical guidance on disease prevention. These measures may enhance farmers’ capacity to prevent plant diseases and support sustainable and productive crop production.

Keywords: Agricultural advisory services, plant disease prevention, farmers’ adoption, crop health, disease management, field sanitation, healthy planting materials, crop rotation, farm hygiene, disease prevention practices, agricultural extension, crop protection, farmer training, crop production, Nigeria.