ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE IN THE ADOPTION OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG COCOA FARMERS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

The study was on the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Practices among Cocoa Farmers in Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria.Specifically, the study aimed at ascertain the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents in the study area, assess the level of awareness of integrated pest management practices available to the respondents and evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in information dissemination of Integrated Pest Management practices.Primary data were collected by administering a wellstructured questionnaire consisting of closed and open-ended questions.Multistage sampling was employed in the study for the selection of 100 cocoa farmers in the study area.Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.The results showed that majority (84%) of the farmers were male, the mean age of the respondents was 47 years with an average household size of 7 members.The major educational qualification of the respondents was secondary school (47%).Ninety-four percent of the respondents practiced Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and 89% have access to extension services also affirmed that IPM techniques are part of the services rendered by the extension workers, out of which 78% implemented one of more of the techniques recommended by the extension workers in the study area.The most significant impact of extension services was felt in the area of improved collaboration and networking ( =2.03.) and increase in the utilization of biological and traditional methods of pests control ( =1.96.)The study recommends that government and agricultural agencies should establish comprehensive training programs focusing on simplifying IPM practices and providing hands-on training.Also, provision of affordable credit facilities and subsidies to cocoa farmers to alleviate the high cost of implementing IPM practices.