The study made use of a gender disaggregated data to examine the effect of income on modern healthcare utilization among female and male headed household farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 200 households were randomly selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was used for the purpose of extracting needed information from the respondents. The data collected was analyzed with descriptive statistics and Ordinary least square regression analysis. The mean annual health expenditure of the male and female headed households were #2,810 and #4,010 respectively. The result of regression analysis revealed that access to modern healthcare service, years of schooling, membership of Social group and amount of credit accessed significantly affects utilization of modern heath care among the male farming households heads while household size, years of schooling, access to healthcare service, amount of credit, membership of social group and Income affects the utilization of modern healthcare among the female headed households. The study concluded that income significantly affects utilization of modern healthcare among female headed households when compared with their male counterparts. It is therefore recommended that there should proper awareness of the benefit of using modern healthcare services in farming communities especially among the male headed households. DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.5.9
The purpose of this study is to prioritize the effective components of capital in the agricultural sector with a fuzzy approach.Because Given the limited resources of capital, and especially for a developing country, the emphasis on investment and its allocation to key sectors is very important. Also, by paying more attention to the sectors with higher priority for investment, while benefiting from some savings, domestic needs can be met and the ground for presence and competition in global markets can be provided. The role of investment in the agricultural sector in creating job opportunities is undeniable, and growth of GDP and economic growth depends on investment. To achieve this goal this method has been used for the first time and is innovative in terms of theme and fuzzy conceptual model used and includes previous research and documentation, interviewing experts in agricultural sector and using MAXQDA 2018 software. And the reliability of the researcher-made questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.855 was obtained. The statistical population includes 62 people, who after studying and reviewing, identified four main criteria and eight sub-indicators. After performing Fuzzy Hierarchical Analysis (FAHP) using MATLAB software, finally, the prioritization of the eight identified sub-indices was obtained. According to the results, the highest weight belongs to the S criterion (technical reality) with a value of 0.554, and the lowest weight belongs to the W criterion (cultural and social) with a value of 0.031. DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.3.7
The paper sought to investigate the effect of simultaneous use of radio- and mobile phone- based agricultural market information systems on smallholder farmers’ access to information focusing on prices of agricultural inputs and commodities. A multivariate probit model was estimated to gauge potential use of each information system by farmers to access information on prices of agricultural inputs and commodities. Results reveals limited use of mobile phones to jointly access input and commodity prices as the devices were mainly for accessing information on commodity prices. The cost of using mobile phones was the dominant factor underlying the low use of mobile phones to access information on commodity prices. The cost of use along with farmers’ access to extension and group membership were the major factors underlying the use of radio to access price information. Results predicted higher prospect for smallholder farmers to use radio- than mobile phone-based information system to access information on agricultural inputs and commodities. Endeavors to promote farmers access to markets information should focus on creating synergies with extension services and local initiatives linking farmers through groups. Future research on the subject matter should attempt to accommodate more means of acquiring market information including extension agents and explanatory variables to enhance robustness of the adopted model or its variants.
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the world’s highest proportion of young population and there has been widespread interest in and calls for engaging this youth in agricultural occupations for achieving sustainable agricultural development and food security in the region. Yet, very little is known if the youth themselves are willing to take up such employments and what would motivate them to do so. We investigated these questions in the context of Nigeria. A questionnaire was designed with insights from the Expectancy-Value Theory of motivation. Data were collected from over nine hundred undergraduate students of agriculture in four Nigerian universities to investigate their willingness and motivations to pursue an agricultural career after graduation and analysed using descriptive statistics and Principal Axis factoring. Vast majority of the students were willing to pursue an agricultural career and self-employment based on agricultural production was their most preferred choice, which varied according to gender, rural vs. urban residence, and study programmes. Both Success Expectancy (perception of own ability/competence to perform agricultural tasks) and Utility Value (usefulness of agriculture to achieve career goals) exerted positive motivational influence on the students’ willingness, with Utility Value being more influential. Motivation based on Utility Value also had the strongest influence on career choice. These findings can guide policy and intervention design to ensure maximum impact and effectiveness in increasing and sustaining educated youths in agriculture.
The propouse of this study was to investigate the role of information and communication technology in agricultural systems and the transition to food security and sustainability. From the perspective of the purpose, the present study is an applied research and from the perspective of data collection method is also a survey research. The statistical population of this study includes managers and experts and managers working in the Agricultural Jihad of Khuzestan province. Acorrding to Statictics from the human resources unit of the organization there are 96 experts. Due to the limited statictical society enhsus method was used. Questionnaire was used to measure research variables. The validity of the questionnaire was used by a panel of experts and Cronbach's alpha method was used to determine the reliability and Cronbach's alpha for the questionnaire was 0.798. Descrptive statistic methods used include mean, median and frequency percent and inferencial statistical methods used Partial least squares method. The results show that information and communication technology has a positive and significant impact on agricultural systems. On the other hand, agricultural systems have an impact on food security and sustainable agriculture. Finally, it has been shown that information technology through agricultural systems enhances food security and achieves sustainable agricultural goals. DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.1.5.7
The study investigated the training needs of agricultural extension workers on the use of information and communication technology (ICT). Some specific objectives were to ascertain the level of awareness on channels of information on ICT available to extension workers and to identify the constraints facing agricultural extension workers on the use of ICT in Delta State. A sample size of 80 was obtained; first, purposive and second, random sampling techniques. Information was gathered with a semi-structured questionnaire. Major results obtained revealed that the respondents’ awareness of information channels on ICT were mostly telephone (96.3%), photo camera (95.0%) and radio (93.9%). In the competence of ICT utilization, telephone with on-line forum (group chat) (mean = 3.6), and laptop (mean = 3.3) were most applicable. However, low competence in usage was recorded in video conferencing (mean = 2.0), and GPS (mean = 1.7). The most serious constraints were frequent power failure (mean = 3.7), high cost of ICT infrastructure coupled with poor communication network (mean = 3.6) in the rural areas of Delta State. Result of tested hypothesis showed that there was a significant relationship between social economic profile of respondents and ICT competence of extension workers (p <0.05). The benefits of the study is typical in the exposure of necessary training needs made available for development interventions. It was recommended that there ought to be regular electricity power supply, subsidized the high cost of ICT and availability of good communication network in rural areas. DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.4.8
The present study seeks to investigate farmer`s application of integrated solutions programme package for rainfed sorghum farmers in South Gezira Locality, Sudan. A field survey was used to collect data from 125 rainfed farmers participated in the programme and an equal number from non- participant farmers from the study area were selected for comparison using the simple random sampling technique. A close-ended questionnaire was constructed and the personal interview technique was used to administer the questionnaire. The collected data were coded, fed to the computer and statistically analyzed using (SPSS), discussed interpreted using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The descriptive analysis showed that the majority of participant farmers applied the programme components while chi-square test result revealed there was no significant association between participant farmer`s application of the programme components and their participation in the programme as a result of many constraints facing them in the application of the programme components . From this study, it can be concluded that the national programme for supporting rainfed sorghum farmers are very effective agricultural national policy that can be applied in the rainfed sector of the country, which in turn will help rainfed farmers to increase their production and consequently their income through the application (adoption )of the programme components. The study recommends that this national programme for supporting rainfed sorghum farmers should become a national policy, the needed inputs should be available and the agricultural extension officers should be trained on the programme components to be able to implement it effectively. DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.1.5
This study, aimed at examining the economic efficiency of resettled A1 maize farmers in maize supply chains. The main objective of the study was to find out the most economic supply chain Descriptive statistics was used to describe inputs sources and outputs while DEA was used to assess the economic efficiency of farmers in supply chains. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted to sample the respondents in Marondera District. A total of 343 respondents were interviewed using structured interview guide. Results indicated that, A1 farmers participate in a number of markets that include agricultural inputs markets and credit markets which include banks as well as labour markets. Results also indicated that formal channel is more efficient than informal channel. Farmers are economically efficient at production stage than marketing stage. Farmers are recommended to use formal channel of marketing because they are more efficient than informal channel. Farmers will get more money by using the formal channels than informal channels. The government is also recommended to correct inefficiencies and ineffective institutions that have given rise to more informal activities. DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.1.3.5
The research explored factors affecting the consumption of frozen fish in Delta State Nigeria. One hundred and 20 participants from 12 communities were randomly chosen. In order to obtain information from the respondents, a questionnaire was used. The findings indicate that 57.5% of those surveyed were females with mean of 43years old. Around 64.2% of the respondents were married and 81.7% of them were educated. The average household size was around 5 people; 92.5% were Christian and they had a mean income of N72,499.5. The mean consumption expenditure of frozen fish was N11,899.95. The average frozen fish intake per capita was 10.38 kg /year. Beef is the principal substitute of frozen fish. Owing to health reasons, most preferred consumption of frozen fish. Religion did not impede consumption of frozen. Majority of the respondents preferred to consume frozen fish in smoked form. The result revealed that age, educational status, household size, income level, frozen fish prices and frozen fish substitute prices influence the consumption of frozen fish.. It is recommended price of frozen fish should be controlled to encourage its consumption considering the nutritional benefits.
The agricultural private sector in Sudan has emerged during the last two decades. It involves personnel that deliver extension services and considered as an alternative to the public extension.This study, therefore, intended to assess qualifications, knowledge and work experience of sales personnel on safety measures of pesticide in Wad Medani Central Agricultural Inputs Market, Gezira State, and Sudan. The study employed a field survey with questionnaire methodological procedure applied in guiding data collection. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used to analyze and interpret the collected data. The results revealed that all sales personnel hold bachelors in different agricultural specializations, the majority of them are male, nearly 57% have the period appointment from 1 -5 years, the majority of them display pesticide packages on shelves , store pesticides in stores, store pesticides on the ground and nearly47 % of farmers obtained information from pesticide sellers in the market. The chi-square test showed a significant association between the education and period of appointment of the sales personnel and the majority of the selected safety measures of pesticides studied. It can be concluded that the agricultural private sector suffers from some obstacles that need solutions to be able to play its role more better, especially store specifications and training of sales personnel.Therefore, we recommend that the stores should be built according to the required specifications, along with the training sales personnel during their service, in both process and human how skills and technical skills which are necessary for their work. DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.1.2.4
A few studies conducted in Ethiopia about rural household’s saving behavior devoting much attention to macroeconomic data. Therefore, this paper examines both motives of rural household’s saving and factors affecting their saving behavior by using micro level data sets. Primary data were obtained from structured and semi-structured questionnaire, key informants interview, field observation and focus group discussion whereas the secondary data were gathered from banks and micro-finance institutions. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study area and178 sample respondents. The descriptive statistical tools including frequencies and percentages were used to examine motives of rural household’s saving whereas chi-square test and t-test were used to examine statistical significance between dependent and explanatory variables. In addition, binary logit model was used to analyze factors affecting rural household’s saving behavior. Results show that mitigating emergency, smoothing future consumption, high interest rate, planning to have luxury life and starting new business were reasons behind the motives of rural household’s saving whereas lack of surplus income, shortage of formal financial institutions, lack of awareness and low interest rate were discouraging factors to save in the area. Furthermore, Age, education level, access to credit and extension service, interest rate, transaction cost and livestock ownership of household heads were factors significantly influencing rural household’s saving behavior . Giving emphasis on adult education, income diversification, expanding branches of formal financial institutions, proving extension service and revising interest rate were points recommended to all concerned bodies to enhance rural households saving behavior in the study area. Keywords: Factors affecting, rural households, saving behavior, North Bench District DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-17-04 Publication date: September 30 th 2020
The study assessed adoption of improved fish pond management technologies among fish growers in Benue State, Nigeria. Stratified, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting 221 respondents. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using both descriptive such as frequency distribution tables and inferential statistics such as Kruskal Wallis H test and factor analysis. The results revealed that 88.7% of the respondents used concrete ponds in fish production. One of the major sources of information on improved fish pond management technologies was from friends/neighbour/relation 93.7%. Socio-economic characteristics of innovations and politico-cultural cum ecological constraints were faced by the fish growers. The results of Kruskal Wallis analysis indicated that there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in adoption of improved fish pond management technologies among fish growers in the three agricultural zones. It was therefore recommended that more efforts should be made to ensure that improved fish pond management technologies are adopted by fish growers.
The study addressed the economic comparison of the achievements of Fadama III agricultural enterprises in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria using task-target performance approaches. It aimed at identifying the indicators, tasks and targets and achievement of Fadama III. Some materials used were secondary information collected from the various Fadama III project offices. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select three locations: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta States. The results included: the mean achievement index across the study area as percentage increase in income (163%), crop based activities (132%), fisheries based activities (105%), number of staff trained (162%) and number of monitoring visits to sub projects (149%). However, some indicators did not achieve set tasks and targets as in livestock based activities (51%), agro-processing based activities (13%), marketing equipment (7%), irrigation/drainage equipment (3%) and storage facilities (10%). The three States met their target of 40% increase in farmers’ income by achieving far beyond the set target: Akwa Ibom (155%), Bayelsa (163%) and Delta (170%) Upon contribution into Fadama Users’ Equity Fund (FUEF), achievable were: Akwa Ibom reached 101%, Bayelsa reached 75% and Delta reached 232%. Only Bayelsa State did not achieve the set target of getting up to 100% in FUEF contribution. The study concluded that the economic achievements of Fadama III project activities was commendable. The study recommended that there should be critical followed up for enterprises with proven agro-economic performances with success story of tasks and targets achievement for project sustainability.
This paper investigates the effect of women’s involvement in intra-household decision making on crop choice decisions, relative to indigenous food crops combinations by farm households. The study draws on choice theory and estimates a multinomial logit regression model using a survey data of 271 farm households in three districts in Northern Ghana. The paper finds that women’s involvement in crop production decisions at the household level promotes the production of more diverse indigenous food crop mix (pulses, vegetables and oilseeds with cereals). Other factors such as larger land holdings; awareness of the nutritional significance of indigenous food crops in household diets; household size; presence of children; educational status and age of the household head; engaging in nonfarm activities; and distance away from the nearest market affect households’ crop choice decisions relative to indigenous food crop combinations. The paper concludes that women’s involvement in intra-household decisions promotes production of a more diverse indigenous food crop mix in northern Ghana and recommends that women’s participation in intra-household decision making should be supported and promoted, since that could help Ghana accelerate its attainment of food and nutrition security (SDG2).
The study analyzed risks in financing agriculture by agricultural cooperatives in Benue State, Nigeria and use research questionnaires for data collection. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the sample of 210 respondents from 21 agricultural cooperatives. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in data analysis. Loan defaulting (66.7%) and reduction in savings by members (51.4%) were the major causes of risks faced by agricultural cooperatives in the study area. Other were: adverse changes in commodity prices (48.6%), disaster (45.7%) among others. Risks adversely influence the profitability and competition of agricultural cooperatives (82.9%). Multiple regression analysis results showed that the coefficient of multiple determinations was 0.67 implying that the explanatory variables included in the model accounted for 67% of the variation in the level of profitability of agricultural cooperatives. The number of loans, average amount of loan and the interest rate were significant and important determinants of profitability of the cooperatives. Majority of the respondents (88.6%) made use of loan guarantors as a strategy of managing loan default/ repayment. It was found that majority (70%) of the respondents faced the challenge of lack of insurance cover. The study recommend that Agricultural cooperative officials should be encouraged to undergo formal training and education so as to easily acquire administrative skills in the management of agricultural loans, Farmers loan size should be increased and released on time to enable them use it effectively. Policies that enhance insuring farm activities should be put in place so as to discourage farmers risk aversion.
This study examined the adoption prospects and challenges of rice-cum-fish production technology among rice and fish farmers in selected States in southern Nigeria (Delta, Edo, Lagos and Ondo States). Using questionnaire, data was sought from 720 sampled rice and fish farmers in the selected States. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, logit regression. Results showed that more than half the respondents were not aware of the rice-cum-fish technology; however, majority had a high perception of the potential benefits associated with the technology and expressed willingness to adopt it (fish farmers = 95.71%; rice farmers = 87.25%). Potential constraints to farmers’ adoption of the technology included inadequate finance, lack of technical competence, perceived difficulty associated with the practice and limited land. Significant determinants of the rice farmers willingness to adopt the technology were age (b = -0.060), education (b = -0.253), income (b = -0.779), awareness of rice-cum-fish technology (b = 1.919) and perception of the technology benefits (b = 0.084). For the fish farmers, the only significant factor was farming experience (b = -0.388). Rice-cum-fish production technology, therefore, has great prospects for adoption in the study area if popularized. To enhance uptake of this technology, farmers should be trained on the rice-cum-fish production technology.
The study assessed the determinants and vulnerability to rural poverty in Nigeria using 2018-2019 Nigerian Living Standards Survey data. Binary probit regression model was used to ascertain the determinants of poverty and probability of the household being vulnerable to poverty. Linear regression model was used to ascertain how various kinds of households’ characteristics impact on the likelihood that the household will fall into poverty. The probit estimates showed that economic growth, debt, inflation, investment, corruption, life expectancy, and unemployment rate were major determinants of poverty in Nigeria as they have potential to aggravate poverty. It was found that lower household size is associated with low vulnerability to poverty. The odd ratios of the probit model showed that household characteristics of age, household size, female-headed households and households located in northern zones of the country are significantly correlated with poverty and are major socio-economic determinants of household vulnerability to poverty. The rate of decrease in vulnerability is marginal in all other northern zones relative to north east but larger in the southern geopolitical zones. Vulnerability to poverty is a more serious issue in Nigeria, particularly in the north-eastern part of the country. The research recommends creation of enabling environment that encourages small and medium scale business to thrive in order to reduce the level of unemployment which has pervasive effect on poverty.
The role of tomatoes as nutritive vegetable crop in the diet of most humans has been stressed or advanced by many scientists. This study therefore, assessed the profitability of tomato production using organic and inorganic fertilisers on a typical irrigated soil in Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria, with the intent of ensuring a more acceptable measure of sustainability among rural farming communities. A total of 120 (60 in each category) producers were purposely selected from 2016/2017 irrigation season for the study. Data were collected through a cost route method by application of structured questionnaire and complemented with interview and group discussions. Descriptive statistics, Gross Margin Analysis and Net Farm Income were engaged in the analysis of data. Findings showed that most of the farmers were married males aged between 31 and 60 years with farming experience ranging from 11 – 20 years. A larger proportion of the farmers had first school leaving certificates and cultivated less than a hectare of farmland. While the most popular organic fertilisers among the farmers were cow dung and small ruminant droppings, Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium 15-15-15 (NPK) fertiliser was largely applied among the respondents. The returns on Naira (₦) invested for users of organic and inorganic fertilisers were 2.5 and 0.73, respectively, signifying that the former farms were more profitable. Conclusively, it can be stated that the application of organic fertilisers yielded more profit than the chemical fertilisers. Therefore, institutions of concern should strongly work towards making the application of organic fertilisers more popular.
This study was undertaken to investigate the impact of microfinance on agricultural productivity by smallholder farmers in Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria. Data were randomly collected from 120 farmers consisting of 60 credit beneficiaries (CB) and 60 non-credit beneficiaries (NCB) by which were analyzed through descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results of the regression analysis showed a clear impact of microfinance credit on agricultural productivity. Findings revealed that, the accessed credits help farmers to purchase inputs and improve farming technologies which ultimately transformed into higher productivity of the credit beneficiaries as CB farmers realized higher yields (52.1 bags) compared to the NCB farmers (24.6 bags). This is partly because the CB were relatively better in the use of inputs such as adoption of improved seeds, use of fertilizers and affordability of hired labor which ultimately enhanced their farm productivity. The study concluded that though microfinance credits has significant impact on agricultural productivity under smallholder farmers, access to microfinance credits by smallholder farmers in the study area is constrained by lack of microfinance credit information, high interest rates, and inadequate supply of credit institutions as well as risk averse nature of some farmers. Thus, in order to enhance agricultural productivity and improve the well-being of smallholder farmers, it is recommended that smallholder farmers should be facilitated to form “Savings and Credits Cooperative Unions” (SACCOS) for collective responsibilities of accessing credits and paying loans.
vailable data on farmers‟ socioeconomic or poverty status have focused on the use of money-metric measure of income and/or expenditure, an approach that has been criticized. An alternative, proposed to assessing households‟ welfare has been to use asset indices; unfortunately, there is dearth of such study in Edo state. This study therefore assessed the socioeconomic status (SES) of farming households in Edo state, Nigeria based on asset formation. Data were collected by means of questionnaire from 394 respondents, randomly selected from the (3) agricultural zones in the state. The data were analyzed using the households had high socioeconomic status (i.e. non-poor), 49.87% were moderately asset index. Using asset indices as a proxy for poverty, the study established that 36.64% of poor while 13.49% were very poor. However, the level of households‟ asset formation was constrained by several factors. The study therefore recommended expanding credit allocation to farmers, improving road networks, establishing more agricultural extension contacts with farmers and encouraging the latter to adopt improved farm practices.
