The Role of Community-Based Agricultural Extension Approaches in Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods and Environmental Stewardship in Southern Taraba, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the role of community-based agricultural extension approaches in promoting sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship in Southern Taraba, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 300 respondents from 15 villages across Donga, Wukari, and Takum Local Government Areas. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and focus group discussions and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Logit regression. Results revealed varying levels of awareness and adoption of extension strategies, with Farmer Groups/Associations (90%) and Peer Learning and Farmer-to-Farmer Extension (80%) demonstrating the highest adoption rates, while Participatory Technology Development and Mobile Advisory Services recorded the lowest (30%). Major factors influencing community participation included social networks and leadership (90%), access to information (80%), government and institutional support (80%), and perceived benefits (75%). Logit regression analysis indicated that access to information (β = 1.25, p < 0.01), education level (β = 0.95, p < 0.01), social networks (β = 1.10, p < 0.01), perceived benefits (β = 1.45, p < 0.01), institutional support (β = 0.80, p < 0.01), and environmental awareness (β = 1.00, p < 0.01) were significant predictors of the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. The model exhibited a strong explanatory power (Pseudo R² = 0.78), confirming that (78%) of the variation in adoption behavior was accounted for by these variables. The study concludes that community-based agricultural extension approaches enhance the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, strengthen local institutions, and foster environmental stewardship. It recommends strengthening the capacity of extension workers through participatory training, expanding community-based outreach via mobile and local agents, and instituting participatory monitoring mechanisms to ensure context-specific, adaptive, and sustainable interventions.