The commodity association traders/trainers extension approach: Smallholder productivity, input and market linkages in Nigeria

The Commodity Association Traders/Trainers (CATs) extension approach was an initiative of the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) to address the challenges of the low margin of agricultural extension agents and farm family ratio in Nigeria. This study, therefore, provides an assessment of the initiative in supporting agricultural extension service delivery in Nigeria. The study was carried out in Kano, Jigawa, Nasarawa and Gombe states, Nigeria being the four major states where the CATs extension approach was tested. The study used a causal research design involving before and after intervention assessment of 396 beneficiary farmers. Data collected using semi-structured questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics and linear regression at α0.05. Majority of the farmers were male (71.5%), middle-aged (42.59±10.91 years) and had small to moderate household sizes (63.4%). Maize (77.6%) and Rice (57.3%) were the foremost crops grown. The farmers received extension service support from CATs in a broad area, including innovation dissemination, training on Good Agricultural Practices, linkage to agro-input dealers, market and credit. About 63.0-86.0% were positive about most aspects of engagement with the CATs except for payment of fees for services received and connecting farmers to credit. The number of farmers that practiced market-oriented agriculture doubled. The number of agribusiness enterprises established and the number of farmers successfully linked to off-takers for their produce also rose from an average of 3 to 8 persons; and 4 to 14 persons per group, respectively. The volume of maize crop marketed through cooperative efforts increased from 7.64±5.15 Kg to 15.66±6.94 Kg per person in each group. Farmers' size of land cultivated, their total produce harvested and productivity for maize and paddy increased after being members of the CATs group. Being male, young, educated, having ease of access to CATs master trainers and farmers' motivation enhanced the performance of the CATs extension approach. The commodity association trainers/traders have enhanced extension services in the project states. The initiative is recommended for up-scaling to cover other regions of Nigeria. Key words: Agricultural extension, Farmers’ group, Sasakawa Nigeria, Market-oriented agriculture