Assessment of extension and advisory services on Nguni development project beneficiaries in the North-West Province

Abstract

The efficiency of agricultural extension work depends on the availability of personnel who are qualified, motivated, committed and responsive to the ever-changing social, economic and political environment. This study focused on the assessment of extension and advisory services on Nguni cattle development project beneficiaries in the North-West Province of South-Africa. Random sampling technique was used and out of the total number of 187 beneficiaries in the project, a sample size of 128 beneficiaries was selected and only 76 beneficiaries participated in the study. The result showed that the average age of the respondents was found to be 55 years, male dominated, married with an average household size of 5 and 30.3% having between 11-20 years of farming experience. The beneficiaries had an average farm size of 400.5 hectares, 3-5 years of cattle rearing with majority (85.5%) recording a mortality rate of between 1- 3 cattle on their farms. The results further showed that 96.1 % had access to extension and advisory services with 82.9% having improvements in vaccination techniques and cattle production areas, 93.4% kept Nguni cattle for the purpose of beef production, generating an average of R 50,000 as the total annual income.