DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION & RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BRIEF

The Department began operating in 2011/2012 academic session, following the bifurcation of the former Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension. The Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension was one of the pioneer Departments of the Faculty of Agriculture which came into existence by the approval of University Senate and take off in 1979 and 1980/81 academic session, respectively.

At undergraduate level, the Department jointly offers Bachelor of Agriculture degree (Agricultural Extension and Rural Development) with Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Crop Science, and Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering Departments. It also houses Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Extension and Community Development which admits mid-career extension workers (Higher National Diploma graduates) to 300 level. At higher level, Master of Science, MPhil/PhD, and Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development programmes are offered by the Department.

Currently, the Department has collaboration with Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE) based on the August 19, 2014 MoU signed by the University with SAFE to strengthen and upgrade the professional and scientific skills of mid-career extension professionals. The MoU gave birth to the earlier mentioned Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Extension and Community Development. However, it is open for more collaboration and studies/surveys in the areas of agricultural extension and development of rural areas; especially, technology transfer, ICT4 development, farmer and youth training, rural livelihood, climate change, sustainable rural areas, gender and development, and adoption of innovation.

The Department is endowed with two (2) Professors, one Associate Professor, one Senior Lecturer, two (2) PhDs, two (2) MSc, and three (3) visiting Professors, supported by four (4) non-teaching staff. Experts in the Department are actively engaged in various studies and consultancy services to the National Fadama Development Project, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project, etc.

Over the years, the various research teams in the Department have published more than three hundred (300) research papers in local and international journals. In recent years, staff of the Department have won scholarships from the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), and Research Funding to pursue studies leading to the award of MSc and PhD degrees.

The guiding philosophy of the Department is to produce quality agricultural extension and rural development professionals, and advance farming community through sharing and development of ways to disseminate proven ideas and experiences.