Infrastructure and Linkage Challenges in the Execution of Agricultural Programmes in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study ascertained the infrastructure and linkage challenges in the execution of agricultural programmes in Cross River State, Nigeria. Proportionate sampling technique was used to select one hundred and thirteen (113) staff. Percentage, mean statistic and standard deviation were used in the analysis and presentation of data. Results showed that among all infrastructures in the ministry, building(s) for offices was available and functional at 71.8% and 62.7% respectively. The ministry had inadequate equipment to execute agricultural programmes (M=2.54), weak linkage with universities (M=1.31) and research institutes (M=1.37) and very poor feedback mechanism between research institutes and the state ministry (M=1.98). The study recommends that the ministry of agriculture should intensify its linkage with other agencies and research institutes through inter-agency collaboration, mobility of linkage experts and proper training of staff on linkage matters. Needed equipment and facilities should be purchased for various departments by the state government to improve productivity.