UTILISATION OF LOCAL LEADERS IN SWAZILAND AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

Abstract

The number of Extension Agents who teach farmers improved farm practices is grossly inadequate in Swaziland. The degree to which local leaders are involved in extension teaching to increase extension outreach has not been investigated. Hence this study determined the functions of local leaders in Agricultural Extension, identified their areas of training needs for improved extension teaching skills, investigated their attitudes towards undergoing extension training, and the contributions of leadership characteristics to performing the leadership function, viscidity, that is, pooling farmers together. Data involved 137 local leaders in Swaziland Agricultural Extension. Findings showed that leaders performed very few generic leadership functions to a considerable level, namely, providing a model (59.9%, Mean = 4.66), and enabling others to act (56.2%, Mean = 4.05). Majority (57.7 – 77.4%) of the leaders did not perform the conventional leadership functions in extension such as educating farmers on improved farm practices, and legitimising improved farm practices “Much and Very much.” Leaders indicated “Very much” and “Much” needs for training in all areas of agriculture and extension including socio-psychological skills such as visioning (84.7%), technical skills such as those acquired in soil conservation and fertility improvement (86.1%), agri-business skills such as record keeping (61.3%), and extension teaching-learning skills such as working with groups (68.7%). Leaders had positive attitude towards undergoing training and then training other farmers in agricultural development, but lacked most of the leadership characteristics needed to function optimally as local leaders. Leadership characteristics such as empathy, and regarding themselves as members of the group, contributed 23.4% to viscidity as a function of local leaders. In conclusion, leaders performed few functions, and had many areas of training needs in extension. It is recommended that leadership training should be organised for local leaders to enable them perform optimally in extension teaching.