INTRODUCTION

Following the consistent decline in enrolment into the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, the Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology was created as an option under Department of Crop Production during the 1997/1998 Session with three pioneer students.  The option was separated from the mother Department and established as a full fledged Department in February 2002 and Dr. R. S. Olaleye appointed as the pioneer Head of Department.  In September 2006, Prof . K. M. Baba was appointed Head of Department and in February 2008, Dr. J.N. Nmadu was appointed Head of Department following the election of the incumbent as Dean of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology.  The Department made steady progress in terms of student enrolment and staff engagement and commenced the postgraduate programme during the 2007/2008 Session with eighteen pioneer M. Tech students.  The PGD and PhD programmes commenced during 2008/2009 Session given the Department the full complement of all the levels of training available in the University.

PHILOSOPHY

Various governmental and non-governmental organisations contribute to food production either through direct production or the supply of inputs in cash or kind as gifts or loans. Such organisations, before getting involved, would want to be assured of the viability of the venture to be financed. Adequately trained personnel are required to determine the viability of various projects as so many ventures are known to have crumbled due to improper evaluation. A very high percentage of the total agricultural production in the country comes from peasant farmers who do not have access to latest farming technology readily, perhaps due to some inadequacies on the part of the extension agents. The Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology programme is therefore intended to train personnel who are well skilled in the evaluation of intended and ongoing projects for optimum returns and in the effective dissemination of research findings. These steps will enhance yield and thereby improve the living standard of the generality of Nigerians.

VISION

The Department aspires to provide a world class academic and technological training in Agricultural Economics and Extension Services suitable for the development and advancement of high calibre manpower and generate sustainable improvement in all areas of Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology.

MISSION

To prepare graduates and postgraduates who are job creators that possess up-to-date knowledge and skill, conduct research on current advances in Agricultural Economics and Extension, and disseminate such for development and advancement at community, regional, national and global levels.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

The Department hosted the 10^th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists in December 2010. While two staff members attended FAMAN conference at Adamawa State University, Yola.

RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION

Quite a number of staff members have published papers in National and International Journals

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

The following staff members were given fellowship/study leave to undertake further studies at various institutions:

Faith  Debaniyu Ibrahim                     Fellowship/ FUTMinna

Abigail John Jirgi                               Fellowship/South Africa

Oladipo Joseph  Ajayi                        Fellowship/FUT Minna

Mohammed Attahiru Ndanittsa            Fellowship/BUK

Micheal  Akindele  Ojo                       Study leave/FUT Minna

Jacob Haruna Tsado                          Study leave/FUT Minna

Ezekiel Salawu Yisa                           Fellowship/FUT Minna

Usman Shaba Mohammed                  Study leave/FUT Minna

Isah  Sheshi Umar                            Fellowship/FUT Minna

Haruna  Usman  Mohammed              Fellowship/UDU Sokoto

Abu Ogaji                                        Study leave/FUT Minna

Abdul-Azeez Abdullahi                      Fellowship/UDU Sokoto

Mohammed Ibrahim                          Fellowship/FUT Minna

Ramatu Kutigi Usman                        Study leave/BUK

Mohammed Sanusi Sadiq                   Study leave/BUK

Mohammed Yakubu                          Study leave/ABU Zaria

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Consultancy Services were rendered to FADAMA and Etisalat.

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