The study was undertaken to investigate the extension capability of Benue Agriculture and Rural
Development Authority, BNARDA. One hundred Village Extension Agents (VEAs) and twenty
headquarters and zonal management staff participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was used
to collect data from management and field extension workers. Percentage and ratio were the statistical
tools employed in analyzing the data. The findings of the study show that the agency has not met the
recommended agent to farmers ratio. The agency had inadequate subject matter specialists who also
lacked specialty training. The agency had more middle level extension workers with all graduate and
post-graduate extension staff. Extension service was male dominated. Also, all the agency’s extension
workers were middle level trained staff. It was noted that first, the agency faced the problem of acquiring
and allocating these resources and secondly, the extension organization faced the problem of financial
allocation for extension service. Furthermore, only five computer units existed for the seven subprogrammes.
Also print media and electronic media were used in reaching farmers with information,
knowledge, skills and innovations. Majority of the agents were provided motorcycles to reach farmers in
the nooks and crannies. The study recommends employment of more agents to narrow the ratio between
agents and farmers, an increase in the number of computers in the agency to meet the ICT challenges and
training of middle level manpower to graduate and post-graduate levels so that these extension staff
could be utilized in upcoming programmes.