Veterinary Extension Services Provided To Livestock Farmers In Oyo State

This paper examines the differences in the veterinary services provided by university and ministry based officers to livestock farmers in Oyo State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select veterinary clinics and livestock farmers who visited the clinics. One hundred and twenty five farmers were selected and interviewed for the study. The results showed that regular veterinary services received include advisory services and control of livestock diseases. Significant difference between university-based services and ministry-based services was recorded only in the effectiveness of veterinary services (t=-2.45, P=0.02). Other variables are not significantly different (services received t=0.43, p=0.67) benefit derived (t=-1.82, P=0.07) and attitude to veterinary services (t=-0.51, P=0.61). The implication of the findings is that the functions of teaching, research and service should be well integrated for meaningful development of the livestock sector. Key Words: Veterinary extension, livestock farmers, animal diseases. Trop. Vet. Vol. 21: (4) 182-186 (2003)