CHALLENGES OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: FOCUS ON GENDER-RELATED FACTORS AFFECTING JOB PERFORMANCE OF WOMEN EXTENSION AGENTS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examined the influence of gender-related factors on the job performance of women extension agents in Niger State. To achieve the study objectives, 130 women extension agents were purposively selected from the 3 zones of the State Agricultural Development Project. Data collected from the respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Likert scale and chi-square test. The major findings were that 60.8 percent and 31.5 percent of the respondents indicated that the role of mother and that of housewife respectively, affect their job performance efficiency. On the influence of organizational factors on job performance, the result showed that women extension agents were similar to male extension agents on motivation, level of autonomy and extent of power/responsibilities given by the employer. In addition, majority of the farmers (79.2%) have favourable attitude towards women extension agents. Cultural restrains, lack of transportation and religious barriers were the major obstacles in the career pathway of the women extension agents in the area. Further analysis revealed that significant relationship exists between mother role i.e family size (x = 0.001, P < 0.05) and job performance efficiency. To reduce role conflict, it was suggested that women extension agents be encouraged to plan their families through sound family planning and population policy.