Abstract

Adeola, R. G.

The study focused on the extension needs of cashew farmers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. A multi-stage sampling procedure, involving three stages, was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information on the extension needs of cashew farmers from the respondents. The analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages. Pearson product moment correlation co-efficient (PPMC), was used to test the relationships between variables. The results revealed the extension needs of respondents to include improved variety, plant spacing, fertilizer application, pest control, harvesting technique and processing; intercropping techniques, storage, mulching and marketing. Correlation analysis show significant (P < 0.01; P < 0.05 ) relationship between selected personal characteristics such as age, sex, farm size, farming experience, educational level and extension needs of cashew farmers. Attention must be paid to the identified extension needs of farmers in designing appropriate programmes for the farmers.