Community Development and Extension Services: A Synergy for Rural Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract. The role of community development and extension services in rural development throughout the world cannot be over-emphasized. Community development is viewed as a process of providing a concerted effort to develop a community with the goal of improving the quality of life of its members while Agricultural extension is the application of scientific research and new knowledge to agricultural practices through farmer education. They have remained the bedrock for rural development in Nigeria. This paper examines the scope and roles of extension services and community development as well as their collective effects on the development of rural areas in Nigeria. It is the belief of this paper that no nation can develop her rural areas without effective extension services and properly monitored community development. It is also the view of this paper that sustainable rural development can be achieved through effectively planned and well administered extension services and community development programmes and projects. This paper established that no reasonable rural development can take place without agricultural development and   rural people’s participation in the development efforts meant to develop their communities. The paper recommends that rural development efforts both from the government and Non-governmental organization should give the development of agriculture a priority through agricultural extension.

Keywords: Community, Development, Extension services, rural development, development programmes and projects.