Analysis of Training Needs of Extension Agents on Climate Change Issues in Ekiti State Agricultural Development Project (EKSADP), Nigeria

( The study specifically examined tasks performed by extension agents in the EKSADP as related to climate change and the task areas in which they needed further training. Using structured questionnaire, data were collected from thirty three (33) randomly selected extension agents in the two agricultural zones of Ekiti State. The major tasks performed by the extension agents on climate change related issues were educating farmers on pest control (90.9%), rendering of technical advice to farmers (84.8%), establishment of SPAT to monitor climate change impacts (81.8%) and indigenous technology development to mitigate climate change impacts (81.8%). The training needs in the following areas as perceived by the extension agents were weather forecast skills on climate change ((x) over bar = 3.76), pest control skills to reduce pest attack ((x) over bar = 3.72), soil conservation skills to reduce evapo-transpiration (x = 3.58), programme planning on climate change issues ((x) over bar = 3.45), agro-chemical skills to reduce weed growth ((x) over bar = 3.36), indigenous technology development for mitigating climate change impacts ((x) over bar = 3.30), use of cultural practices to mitigate climate change impacts ((x) over bar = 3.27), use of information communication technologies (ICTs) for awareness creation on climate risk management ((x) over bar = 3.21) and statistical analysis of field data on climate change issues ((x) over bar = 3.03). In order to improve performance and increase awareness on climate change impacts on agriculture, extension staff in the various agricultural organizations in the country needed to be trained and re-trained in the relevant areas.