Analysis of Determinants of Job Performance of Agricultural Extension Worker as a Leader to Farmers in Nigeria

This study analysed the determinants of job performance of agricultural extension worker as a leader to Farmers in Nigeria. Data were collected from 240 randomly sampled households in Benue State, Nigeria using a structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The study showed that more than half (60%) of the agricultural extension workers had a moderate level of job performance. Leadership competency (r = 0.65) had a moderately positive and significant relationship with extension worker‟s performance while organisational commitment (r = 0.69) had a moderately positive and significant relationship with agricultural extension workers job performance. The study indicated that 58.3% variation in agricultural extension workers job performance is accounted for by variations in leadership competency and organisational commitment. They explained the behavior of agricultural extension workers job performance at 76% level of confidence. The study showed a positive contribution of leadership competency and organisational commitment to job performance. It is recommended that in order to achieve a good performance of agricultural extension workers, appropriate agricultural extension policies and strategies should be tailored towards improving leadership competency skills of agricultural extension workers and enhancing their organisational commitment and job commitment to work with the rural communities.

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