Farmers Information Behaviour and Extension Workers Job Satisfaction: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Pius Obinna Nnahiwe

Disertační práce

Abstract:

As the agricultural sector modernises, the efficient flow of relevant information has become a crucial factor in its overall performance. The increasing importance of information in agriculture can no longer be ignored. To ensure the industry’s success, access to credible and precise information must be emphasized. There is a widening knowledge gap between extension service providers and farmers, hindering the efficient flow of relevant information. This widened knowledge gap between extension service providers and farmers, especially in SSA agricultural sector, poses a significant challenge for both African policymakers and the international development community at large. Bridging this gap is highly instrumental in effecting a positive change in the overall performance of the agricultural sector in the region. This thesis sought to investigate the effect of different information sources available to smallholder farmers on the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, the impact of adopting these modern agricultural technologies on smallholder farmers’ economic performance, and to determine the effects of extrinsic rewards on agricultural extension workers’ job satisfaction. The thesis relied on two case studies by drawing empirical evidence from cashew farmers in Kenya and public extension workers in Nigeria. For the first case study, Logit regression and multiple linear regression models were used to analyse a sample of 372 smallholder cashew farmers in Kenya. The findings demonstrate that the availability of extension services and membership in farmer groups significantly impact the adoption of contemporary agricultural practices, particularly in regard to the utilization of fertilizers and pesticides and the implementation of optimal planting densities. It is noteworthy that the application of fertilizers had a negative effect on economic outcomes, whereas the utilization of pesticides did not exhibit a significant impact. On the other hand, an increase in planting density was found to have a positive effect. The second case study examined how extrinsic rewards impact public sector agricultural extension workers’ job satisfaction drawing empirical evidence from 170 agricultural extension workers in Oyo State, Nigeria. The binary logit regression, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model and ordered logit model along four dimensions (strongly dissatisfied, dissatisfied, satisfied, and strongly satisfied) empirically make a compelling case for social exchange theory as higher perceptions of organizational (promotion and job security), social (respect from coworkers) and convenience (safety on the field) extrinsic rewards increases the probability of a public sector extension worker reporting higher levels of job satisfaction. Conclusively, other extrinsic rewards beyond financial motivations are significant job satisfaction predictors regardless of the category. The thesis profers some policy recommendations for policymakers to emphasize the significance of the efficient flow of relevant information – as an important production factor – in the agricultural sector. By providing systems and structures that facilitate easy collaboration among major stakeholders such as private firms, NGOs and international development practitioners in delivering affordable, relevant information to farmers. Public management policies should focus on facilitating extrinsic rewards that motivate extension workers to further engage with farmer groups, especially advocating for more active participation of female farmers in existing farmer groups and forming new ones. Emphasis should be placed on disseminating information regarding modern agricultural technologies to facilitate the adoption of these technologies to improve the economic performance of farmers, among other benefits. High-level forums among policymakers should focus on resolving social tensions and regular dialogues at the grassroots to mitigate rural farmer-pas

Abstract:

toralist conflicts and transhumance-related violence so that the safety conditions of extension workers on the field are improved for the effective dissemination of relevant agricultural information.

Keywords

Extension, farmer groups, adoption, extrinsic rewards, Kenya, Nigeria

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 30. 3. 2023

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: doc. Ing. Miroslava Bavorová, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Zuzana Bednaříková, externi, Ilkay Unay Gailhard, externi, Harald Kaechele, externi

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta tropického zemědělství

Doktorský studijní program / obor:
Zemědělská specializace / Sustainable Rural Development in TS