EFFECT OF RESTRUCTURING AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION PRACTICES ON COCOA PRODUCTIVITY AND LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT AMONG COCOA FARMERS IN OSUN STATE

Abstract

The study examined the effect of restructuring agricultural extension practices on cocoa productivity and livelihood improvement among cocoa farmers in Osun State. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 240 cocoa farmers from major cocoa-producing areas across the state. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that restructured extension practices, (measured by frequency of extension contact, participatory training, access to information and communication technologies (ICTs), and farmer field demonstrations) had positive and statistically significant effect on cocoa productivity (R² = 0.62,). Specifically, increased extension contacts and ICT-based advisory services significantly increased average cocoa yield per hectare. Furthermore, the regression results showed that restructured extension practices had a significant effect on farmers livelihoods, including income, food security, access to education, and healthcare (R² = 0.58). Descriptive results revealed that farmers exposed to restructured extension services recorded an average yield increase of 32% and a mean income improvement score of 3.9. Major constraints identified included inadequate funding of extension services, limited number of trained extension agents, and weak institutional support. The study concludes that restructuring agricultural extension practices is essential for improving cocoa productivity and livelihoods, and thus recommends increased public and private investment in extension services, adoption of participatory and ICT-enabled extension approaches, and strengthened institutional collaboration to ensure sustainable cocoa sector development.