Maize Farmers' Perception of Commercialization and Privatization of Agricultural Extension Services in North Senatorial District of Gombe State, Nigeria

A survey of maize farmers in Gombe north senatorial district of Gombe state was conducted in 2010 on their perception on commercialization and privatization of agricultural extension services. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 100 maize farmers, which were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics and binary probit model were the tools of analyses. The results indicate that majority (83%) of the respondents were against commercialization and privatization of extension services. About 31% expressed willingness to pay economic rates only if qualitative and timely extension services would be provided. Moreover farm size, extension contact, educational level, membership of cooperative and access to credit were found significantly favouring commercialization and privatization of extension services. Additionally the main barriers to the acceptance of the idea by the farmers identified included high cost of other production inputs / low profit, poor quality of extension agents, high farmer - extension agent ratio and financial constraints. Therefore enhancing farmer's accessibility to qualitative extension services and affordable credit will help in promoting the commercializing and privatizing process of agricultural extension activities.