This study assessed extension workers’ responsiveness in providing extension and advisory services to young farmers (male and female) and how it affected digital competence in Indonesia. A quantitative survey was conducted with 214 young farmers in Solok Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Data on extension workers’ perceived responsiveness were collected through structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and an independent samples t-test. The results showed that female and male farmers perceived extension workers’ responsiveness as high for professional dimension (92.8% and 82.5%) as well as for personal dimension (94.6% and 92.2%), respectively. However, social responsiveness was perceived as moderate by 73.9% and 64.1% of male and female farmers. There was a positive and significant association between extension workers’ responsiveness and young farmers’ digital competence (ρ = 0.373, p < 0.001), and a significant difference in digital competence between young male and female farmers (t = 3.388, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for extension institutions and government agencies to collaborate to develop more inclusive, gender-responsive extension approaches through practical training and improved access to digital technologies.
This study examined the adoption patterns of organic farming practices among vegetable farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to collect data from 200 vegetable farmers across five local government areas in Enugu State, and the data were analyzed using percentages, Likert-scale ratings, and binary and multivariate logistic models. The results indicate a high level of awareness (78%) and a moderate mean adoption intensity index of 54.2%. The Binary Logit results identified education (1.056), farm size (1.166), cooperative membership (1.463), and extension contacts (1.692) as significant positive drivers of the decision to adopt. Education, farming experience, farm size, cooperative membership, and extension services are the most significant drivers of the adoption of specific organic farming options, as each variable influenced the adoption of all six outcome variables in heterogeneous ways. The study recommends strengthening extension services to close knowledge deficits, enhancing cooperative institutions to foster collective action, and developing robust organic markets that secure premium prices as critical pathways forward. Tailored education programs that build technical capacity, combined with institutional reforms that reduce barriers to entry, would accelerate the transition to sustainable organic vegetable production.
The study examined the relationship between livelihood diversification and food security in South Africa. A longitudinal quantitative research design was employed, utilising panel data drawn from four waves (2020–2023) of the country’s annual nationally representative General Household Survey. The sample comprised 13,310 agricultural households, selected through random sampling across South Africa's nine provinces. The Simpson Diversity Index, income diversity count and agricultural diversification were indicators of livelihood diversification; Household Food Insecurity Access Scale for food security measured food insecurity; while fixed effects OLS was employed in data analysis. All three diversification measures significantly reduced food insecurity, with the Simpson Diversity Index showing the largest effect (β = −1.433), and agricultural activities (β = −0.172) showing the least. Household expenditure and asset ownership were the most protective. Food security worsened with the proportion of food-secure rural households declining from 68.7% to 62.2%, while that of severe food insecurity increased from 16.2% to 19.1%. Diversification remained more prevalent in urban areas. Livelihood diversification alone is insufficient to ensure household food security. Government, in partnership with NGOs, local municipalities, and other development stakeholders, should prioritise targeted rural development initiatives, expansion of non-farm employment opportunities, and strengthening of adaptive social protection programmes.
The study analysed the gender responsiveness of the Nigerian Agricultural Extension Policy using the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Gender in Agricultural Policies Analysis Tool (GAPo Tool). Specifically, it assessed the integration of gender into the main features and components of the policy document, examined gender considerations across six thematic areas essential to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, and assigned a gender integration level to the policy. A qualitative policy document analysis design was adopted, drawing on secondary data from the 2023 National Agricultural Extension Policy. Data were analysed through content analysis based on the GAPo assessment indicators. Findings revealed that the policy incorporated gender-responsive provisions, recognition of women’s roles, promotion of gender equality, women’s participation, and gender-related climate concerns. However, gaps existed in gender indicators, budgetary allocation, gender-based violence, land access, financial services, and value chains. The policy was classified under Level-4 of the FAO GAPo framework, indicating substantial but not fully transformative gender responsiveness. The study concludes that, although the policy reflects progress toward gender inclusion, significant structural and institutional gaps remain, and recommends stronger monitoring mechanisms, broader thematic integration of gender, and the adoption of gender-transformative strategies in the implementation of agricultural extension policy in Nigeria.
The study examines the adoption, determinants, and effects of AI-based extension services on the productivity of NYP youth farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 150 respondents. Primary data were analyzed using percentages, binary logistic regression, productivity and gross margin analyses, and a 5-point Likert-type scale. Results indicate that although awareness of AI-based services is increasing, actual use of the innovation remains limited due to low digital literacy (= 3.86), limited awareness of benefits (= 3.69), and inadequate technical support (=3.67). Farmers who used AI recorded slightly higher yields, increased profits, better access to market information, and improved decision-making. Income (-0.747), marital status (0.842), cooperative membership (4.766), training on AI/IoTs (4.550), and credit access (0.284) were significant factors influencing adoption. While awareness and adoption are promising, utilization remains constrained by socio-technical barriers. There is a need to strengthen digital literacy initiatives, such as the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme, as well as cooperative platforms and technical support systems, such as the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub, to enhance the effective uptake of AI-based extension services among youth farmers.
