Journal of Agricultural Extension

Proclivity to use Poultry Waste for Productive and Environmentally Safe Management Among Poultry Farmers in Oyo State Nigeria.

Luqman Abiodun Akinbile — 2020-10-20

The study investigated the proclivity to use poultry waste for productive and environmentally safe management among poultry farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria.

A total of one hundred and twenty-five (125) poultry farmers were selected using a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data were analysed using percentages, mean and standard deviation. The mean age of respondents was 58 ± 11.7 years, with 64% male and 80.8% being married. The majority (97.6%) had formal education and made an average monthly income of 340,000.00K ± 95,185. Respondents had a high level of awareness (76.8%), had high level of perception (57.6%) and a high proclivity to use poultry waste for productive and environmentally safe management. Labour scarcity ( =1.73) was the major impediment to the use of poultry waste for productive and environmentally safe management. Educational status, awareness level and perception to use poultry waste for productive and environmentally safe management influence proclivity to use poultry waste for productive and environmentally safe management. The respondents are willing to use poultry waste for productive and environmentally safe management. Younger people should be encouraged to take up poultry production as a profession and engineers should develop small equipment that can be used to dispose wastes.

Perception of Cassava and Maize Farmers on the Effectiveness of Agricultural Information Channels in Southwest, Nigeria

Olanrewaju Abidemi Tehinloju — 2024-10-20

The study examined the perceptions of arable crop farmers on the effectiveness of agricultural information channels on the adoption of good agricultural practices in southwest Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 300 respondents for the study. Data were collected through a structured interview schedule. Data were analysed with percentages and means. The study revealed that 94.2% and 32.6% of the respondents had access to agricultural extension and recorded audio, respectively. The results revealed that farmers, on average, ranked very high in terms of the level of access to eight out of the ten channels listed. The eight channels and their estimated mean scores as ranked by the farmers were radio (3.57), agricultural extension agent (3.54), television (3.17), and written materials (2.96). Others were telephone calls (2.87), SMS (2.82), WhatsApp (2.55), and Facebook (2.55). Low disposable income was the major (51.5%) limitation associated with the effectiveness of agricultural information channels. The effectiveness of information channels on the adoption of good agricultural practices was measured using the eight (8) indicators of effectiveness, which included openness, linkage, structure, reward, capacity, proximity, synergy, and feedback. Results showed that in all the criteria, radio and extension agents were rated as very effective

Gender-Based Violence and Agricultural Productivity in Osun State, Nigeria

Adekemi Salami — 2024-10-20

This study focused on the effects of Gender-based Violence (GBV) on agricultural productivity. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 54 GBV victims. Key informant interview was used to elicit qualitative data from the GBV victims about the type(s) of GBV experienced, the relationship of the perpetrator of the GBV victims, their losses and the effect(s) of the GBV on their agricultural productivity. ATLAS.ti 8 was used to conduct a content analysis of the data for this study. The results reveal that GBV occurred weekly (66.67%) and. the three most prevalent forms of GBV was the spousal battery (55.56%). A majority (71.11%) of marital violence occurred within the 2nd and 3rd year of marriage and a majority (77.78%) of the violence was perpetrated by husbands. A majority 70.37% of GBV lost 5-8 hours of agriculturally productive activities per day and 77.78% lost at least 16 days of agricultural activities per month due to GBV. Gender-based violence had more adverse effects on the health of 88.33% of the victims. The study concluded that GBV negatively impacted agricultural productivity and recommended that Community leaders and members should promote gender equality and provide support and resources for GVB victims.

Coping Strategies Used by Flood Victims in Rural Households of Benue State, Nigeria

Oluwaseun Aderonke Adeleke — 2024-10-20

Climate change has increased the intensity of floods, posing threats to communities worldwide. The extent to which households can utilise various coping strategies will help to improve their resilience. This study ascertained utilisation of coping strategies by flood victims in rural households of Benue state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 130 respondents. Data collected through structured interview schedule were analysed using percentages, means and chi-square. Results show that there has been frequent occurrence of flooding in the past five years. A higher percentage (80.8%) indicated a negative effect of flooding. Provision of boat to ease movement (89.2%), free infrastructure assistance like IDPs camp (85.4%) and early warnings (83.8%) were interventions provided to cushion the effects of flooding. Moving valuable items, praying to God (99.2%), engaging in new income-generating activities (90.8%) and taking relief from organisations (90.0%) were the most utilised coping strategies. Most (75.4%) respondents had high utilisation of coping strategies. A significant relationship existed between superstitious belief (?²=4.317, p=0.038) and utilisation of coping strategies. The study concluded high utilisation of coping strategies against flooding by the flood victims. Prompt sensitisations from meteorological stations will help reduce the negative impact of flooding on households.

Structure and Operations of MicroVeg Vegetable Operational Innovation Platforms for Sustainable Vegetable Production in Southwestern Nigeria

Aanuoluwapo Opayinka — 2024-10-20

This study focused on the structure and operations of the MicroVeg Vegetable Operational Innovation Platforms (IPs) in Southwestern Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select eleven MicroVeg IPs. Data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with IP stakeholders. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis in ATLAS.ti 8. The results reveal that MicroVeg IP structure was in three levels – State, Local Government and Community with the community IPs being the operational IPs while the district IPs were the strategic IPs. Farmers, marketers, input dealers/seed producers, and microfinance bankers were identified as the main stakeholders involved in the IPs. Roles performed by Farmers were raising emerging issues around vegetable production, in-house training, and assistance of one another to resolve emerging issues. The marketers gave farmers market situational reports and counselled farmers on prevailing consumers’ preferences and how to increase profit and reduce wastage. The IP operations utilised collective knowledge, expertise, and resources to improve the efficiency of the vegetable value chain. The study concluded that IPs were successful in joint diagnostic, validation of technologies and access to services, co-creation of innovations, experience sharing, learning and capacity building. The study recommended the sustenance of the IPs.

Adoption of Artisanal Fishing Innovations among Fisherfolks in Delta State, Nigeria

MICHAEL CHUKWUEMEKA UMEHAI — 2024-10-20

Innovations in artisanal fishing are indispensable and help artisanal fishermen to increase their harvest. The study examined the extent of adoption of artisanal fishing innovations among artisanal fisherfolks in Delta State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained through the interview schedules from 120 household heads of artisanal fishermen. Percentages, mean and exploratory factor analysis were used in analyzing the data. The study revealed that synthetic fishing nets (? = 4.0); smoking kilns (? = 4.0), post-harvest processing techniques (? = 4.0), and mending of synthetic fishing nets (? = 4.0) had higher adoption scores when compared to other innovations. A majority (65.8%) of the respondents were males and married (68.1%) with a mean age of 45.7 years. Findings also show that the majority (72.4%) of the artisanal fisherfolks had between 11 – 40 years of experience in artisanal fishing. The major constraints to the adoption of innovation in artisanal fishing include family problems, environmental problems, and extraneous problems. It is recommended that increased extension contacts and training should be done to guide, educate, and enhance the skills of artisanal fisherfolks for increased productivity and improved socio – economic wellbeing.

Keywords: Artisanal Fishing, innovations, adoption

Factors Influencing Farmers’ Attitude towards E-Governance in Agricultural Services in Dinajpur District, Bangladesh

Atia Shahin — 2024-10-20

The study determined the factors influencing the attitude of farmers towards e-governance. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule from one hundred and twenty-five (125) farmers from Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur district in Bangladesh. Forty-one statements were used to assess the attitude of the farmers using a Likert-type scale. Data were analysed using percentages, means, standard deviations, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings revealed that a significant proportion (68.0%) of the respondents had moderately to highly favourable attitudes towards e-governance. The top-ranked attitude statement was ‘e-governance programs help to disseminate emergency disaster forecasting’ (mean =3.784). The significant key factors influencing farmers’ attitudes towards e-governance were knowledge of e-governance (beta coefficient =0.770), educational qualification (beta coefficient =0.151), age (beta coefficient =-0.116), and organisational participation (beta coefficient =0.084). Specialized training programs to improve farmers’ familiarity with e-governance, customized extension services for different educational backgrounds and age groups, and promotion of organisational engagement through cooperatives could be essential to foster farmers’ attitudes and thereby adopt e-governance.

Assessment of Mobile Phone Usage for Agricultural Information Sharing Among Rural Farmers in Agricultural Zone One, Rivers State

Chinwoke Clara Ifeanyi-obi — 2024-10-20

The study assessed mobile phone usage for agricultural information sharing among rural farmers in agricultural zone one of Rivers State. One hundred (100) respondents were selected for the study through the use of two-stage sampling procedure. Data collection was done using structured questionnaire and analysed with mean, frequency counts, percentages and Binary Logit regression analysis. All (100%) the respondents owned mobile phones and agreed that they use mobile phones to share agricultural information. Majority of the respondents (84%) considered agricultural information shared through mobile phones to be reliable, while 84% have access to the internet but rarely have power supply (76%). The major mobile phone-based agriculture information source used by the respondents were voice calls (100%), phone radio (100%) and text messages (100%) while phone radio (M = 3.90) and text messages (M = 3.92) were the most frequently used. Information on pest management (M = 3.67) and indigenous knowledge (M = 3.00) were the main agricultural information shared mobile phone. The study concludes that mobile phone is key to information sharing among rural farmers, hence recommends improved power supply by responsible agencies in local communities to support mobile phone use for agricultural information sharing among rural farmers.

Knowledge of Farmers on Post-Harvest Handling of Tomato in Enugu State, Nigeria

violet amarachukwu ohagwu — 2024-10-26

ABSTRACT

The study assessed the knowledge of tomato farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the knowledge level and practical skills of farmers on post-harvest handling, ascertained the causes of post-harvest losses, and ascertained the constraints to tomato post-harvest handling. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 96 respondents for the study. Four local government areas were purposefully selected for predominating tomato production. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Percentage, mean score, standard deviation, and linear regression were used for data analysis. The study revealed that the majority (86.7%) had high knowledge of post-harvest handling. There is a significant negative relationship between annual income from production (t = -4.306; P? 0.05) and their knowledge of post-harvest handling. Most farmers (84.2%) had moderate skills in post-harvest handling. Excess heat (40.0%) was the main cause of post-harvest loss. Constraints to post-harvest handling include the high cost of improved implements ( 4.75) and inadequate knowledge about post-harvest technologies ( =4.43). In conclusion, farmers had moderate knowledge and skills for post-harvest handling, which causes huge losses in product and profit. The study recommends that adequate training be given to farmers by the extension agents on non-tasking post-harvest techniques.

Factors Influencing Youth Participation in Pineapple Production in the Eastern Region, Ghana

Rosina Akyere Buabeng — 2024-10-20

The study examined the perceptions of youth and the factors influencing their participation in farm production, using the case of pineapple production in the Eastern region of Ghana. One hundred and eight youths were selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Percentage and a logit regression model were used for the analysis. Generally, participants (81%) perceived that pineapple production is labour-intensive and therefore they need support and incentives to motivate youth participation. Age (0.034), sex - being a male (0.206) and access to farm inputs – fertiliser (0.176) had positive and significant (1% level) influences on youth participation in pineapple production. The presence of an alternative source of employment (-0.154) and tertiary education level relative to no education (-0.249) discouraged participation in pineapple (primary) production by the youth. Investing in mechanised services and promoting farm inputs (fertiliser) accessibility are important to encourage the youth to participate in farm production.

Adoption of Climate-Smart Practices among Arable Crop Farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria

Jacob Jide Pelemo — 2024-10-28

This study examined the adoption of climate-smart practices among arable crop farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling procedure was used to select two hundred and thirteen (213) arable crop farmers in the study area. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and Tobit regression. Findings showed that mixed cropping system (88.3%), planting of trees (77.3%) and changing planting date (79.8%) were the most adopted climate-smart practices in the study area. Also, 45.1% and 34.7% had high adoption and very high adoption of climate smart practices, respectively. The most severe constraints faced by arable crop farmers were high cost of input ( =2.78), inadequate training on climate-smart practices ( =2.74) and lack of finance ( =2.69).The coefficient of age (?=-0.01), farming experience (?=0.07), and access to extension (?=-0.07) influenced the adoption of climate-smart practices. It is recommended that training should be organized for arable crop farmers that will update their knowledge on climate-friendly practices in order to control the negative effects of climate change.

Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Household Food Security of Smallholder Poultry Farmers in Lagos and Ogun states , Nigeria

Samuel Abanigbe — 2024-10-20

This study assesses the effects of climate change adaptation strategies (CCAS) on household food security among smallholder poultry farmers (SPFs). Using a multi-stage sampling approach, 360 smallholder farmers were surveyed through questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGDs). Percentages, mean score, and endogenous switching probit model (ESPM) were employed for analysis, shedding light on the relationship between adaptation strategies and food security. The probit regression revealed significant influences of sex, age, infrastructure, and external organizations on the adoption decisions of CCAS among SPFs. It further showed that adaptation strategies; water ventilation, traditional practices, medicines and vitamins have a significant impact on the HFS. Therefore, it is advised that policies be put in place to help SPFs make better choices regarding the use of CCAS, and these strategies should be included in policies and investment plans. To enhance the circumstances in which farmers can obtain knowledge about climate change, stakeholders and the government must work together.

Gendered Analysis of the Economic Impact of Adoption of Multiple Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices in Nigeria

Chikamso Christian Apeh — 2024-10-20

Climate change significantly threatens Nigeria's food security and agricultural livelihoods. This study estimated the economic impact of the adoption of multiple climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices in Nigeria through a gender lens and evaluated the impact on farmers' net income. Data for the study was sourced from the Nigeria Generalized Household Survey Panel data collected from 2011 to 2016. A two-stage endogenous switching regression model was used to analyse CSA adoption and farm income data. The findings reveal widespread adoption of diverse CSA packages, with mixed cropping and improved seed use being the most common (23.52%). The study established a positive association between CSA adoption and net farm income, adopting four CSA practices (I₀M₁V₁F₁O₁) increased the farmers’ income gain to 9,743.90 thousand Naira per hectare. However, a concerning gender gap emerged, adopting a combination of I₀M₁V₁F₁O₁saw a net income gain of 32,617.74 thousand Naira per hectare for the male farmers, while females saw a loss of 42.153 thousand Naira per hectare in adopting same, indicating a gender gap in economic benefits. This disparity highlights the need for interventions that address gender inequality in resource access and decision-making power.