Extension Agents' Competency Needed in Rural Development Activities in Southwest Nigeria

The study identified and prioritised the competency needs of extension agents in rural development activities. The study determined the levels of knowledge and skills of extension agents in rural development activities, their competency needs in rural development activities and prioritised the identified needs based on available opportunities in the job environment to practise the competency. The study was carried out in southwest Nigeria. Lagos, Oyo and Ondo States were randomly selected for the study. A proportionate sample of 85% of the agents with the Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) in the States sampled was selected to give a total of 382 respondents for the study. Data were collected using questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistical tools while Criticality Function Model was adapted to identify the competency gaps. Findings of the study revealed that the knowledge of the agents was highest in encouraging adoption of agricultural technologies (x= 3.48) but lowest in understanding gender/vulnerable group in development (x= 2.12). Also, the skill of the agents was highest in community organisation and group dynamics (x = 3.01) but lowest in triangulation using rural appraisal tools (x = 2.23). Community driven development approach, understanding gender/vulnerable issues in development and triangulation using participatory rural appraisal tools were among the leading competency needs from the low knowledge/low skill quadrant while community driven development approach (x = 3.41), planning for social safety net (x = 3.29), and use of participatory rural appraisal tools (x = 3.26) ranked highest respectively on the priority list of identified competency needs. The study concluded that the job environment of the agents does not provide equal opportunities to practise the identified needs. The study recommended that in planning for capacity development of agents on rural development, competency needs favoured by available opportunity for use within the job environment should be prioritised.