The main concern of the Agricultural Extension Agent’s contact with farmers is the creation of favourable attitude toward specific production recommendations. Assessment of farmers’ attitude to an extension system will, more likely than not, provide an indication of how effective the system has been or is likely to be. The study investigated attitude of farmers towards the Training and Visit (T&V) extension management system in Abia and Akwa-Ibom States of Nigeria. The sample comprised 244 Representative Contact Farmers (RCFs) and Other Contact Farmers (OCFs) selected through multistage sampling procedure. A 24-item attitude to T&V system of managing extension interview schedule that adopted Likert-type scales was administered to the study sample. Data were subjected to descriptive and t-test statistics. The findings reveal that while 32.3% of sampled farmers exhibit negative attitude to the T&V extension management system, 67.7 % belong to the positive attitude category. This implies that most of farmers in Abia and Akwa-Ibom States still have positive attitude to the T&V system. The mean attitude to T&V ratings by RCFs was significantly higher than those of OCFs. Females exhibit a more negative attitude to T&V system than male farmers. Farmers in Abia State expressed significantly higher level of positive attitude to T&V system than their counterparts in Akwa-Ibom State. It is more likely than not, that these farmers who exhibit positive attitude to the extension system would be potential adopters of extension recommendations. It was recommended that the current status of extension services in Abia and Akwa-Ibom States be sustained and improved upon while putting intervention programmes in place to improve the attitude of the 32% of farmers whose attitude to the extension system is still at low ebbs. Key Words: Attitude, Training and Visit Extension Management System, Contact Farmers, Extension Agents
Low farm productivity due to environmental degradation had made rural dwellers in Nigeria to diversify into other business besides agricultural production so as to liberate them from poverty. However, there are various challenges to livelihood diversification among the rural dwellers. This study therefore, identifies constraints to livelihood diversification among rural households in southwestern Nigeria with a view of improving their livelihood activities. Following data collection through structured interview schedule and Focus Group Discussion on respondents’ socio-economic characteristics, livelihood activities, reasons for diversification, and constraints to diversification and data analysis by using frequency counts, percentage, means, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, and binomial regression at p = 0.05. Constraints to livelihood diversification were lack of infrastructural facilities (91.9%), inadequate livelihood assets (82.0%) and poor transportation system (66.9%). Respondents’ level of livelihood diversification was significantly increased by primary occupation (β=0.64), income from farming (β = 0.16), length of stay (β = 0.28) and income from non-farm activities (β = 0.13). Significant relationship existed between constraints (r=-0.130) and level of livelihood diversification. However, frequency of visits to urban centres (β = -0.25) significantly reduced respondents’ level of livelihood diversification. Level of constraints to livelihood diversification of rural households was high, hence, for achieving sustainable rural livelihood, Government and NGOs should give more support to the development of formal and informal capacity building at the local level to enhance human assets of rural households and make them adopt more non-farm activities. Keywords: Constraints; Livelihood Diversification; Rural Households.
Utilisation of family planning by women will promote sustainable development and general wellbeing of women at the rural community. The study assessed utilization of family planning techniques among women in the rural area of Lagos state. Sixty respondents were randomly selected for the study. Structured interview schedule was used to obtain information on respondents’ personal characteristics, sources of information on family planning, constraints to the use of family planning and family planning techniques used by women. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The respondents were within the age bracket of 31-50 (61.7%), 83.7% of respondents were educated and 70.0% had between 5-8 household size. Only 28.3% of respondents used radio as the main source of information on family planning technique usage. The most critical constraint (81.7%) was ignorance of the importance of family planning. Also 78.3%, 65.0% of respondents did not use birth pill control and contraceptive injection respectively. Constraint was significantly related to utilization of family planning techniques (Cal.χ2=26.475, Tab. χ2=15.507, p=0.05). Utilization of family planning techniques were low among women, therefore training about the benefits of family planning will improve its utilization for the wellbeing of rural women. Key words : Utilisation, Family planning technique, Rural community, Women
This study focused on alternative entrepreneurial options as a mitigation strategy against climate change among part-time farmers in Abia state Nigeria. Some farmers abandoned farming in the face of reoccurring adverse weather conditions to other livelihood sustaining activities. The objectives were to examine the entrepreneurial options, identify factors influencing the entrepreneurs alternating entrepreneurial activities and compare the output of operators with respect to entrepreneurial options. The respondents are leather product based business men in Ariaria market by profession and secondly part-time entrepreneurs engaging in farming. One hundred part-time entrepreneurs were analysed. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The technique of data analyses were descriptive statistics for all the objectives except objective one which was analysed by ranking. The result revealed that majority of the entrepreneurs (45%) were inexperienced in farming and there are more males than females, thus making entrepreneurship alternating easier. Majority (45%) of the entrepreneurs abandoned farming to selling of shoes while the least (8%) opted for the sales of leather accessories. The ranking of the prime factors inducing entrepreneurial alternative options conveyed that dry season longevity and rainfall inconsistency ranked first and second respectively. These factors are consequent upon climate change influences. Thus, this study recommends alternative entrepreneurial options strategies as a militating policy strategy against climate change variability threats in the study area Key words: Entrepreneurial, Options, Mitigation, Strategy, Climate-Change
This paper examines access to rural banking credit by agribusiness investors and issues for policies in Ahiazu Mbaise local government area of Imo state. The work is important because the existence of limited access of agribusiness investors to formal rural banking credit and extension services is provided by extension agents is a problem and needs solution. Random samples of 80 agribusiness investors were chosen for the study. A set of structured questionnaire and unstructured interview was used in collecting data from the respondents. Data were analyzed using simple statistical tools such as frequency distribution and percentages. Result shows that majority of agribusiness investors were married and had at least primary education. 68 percent had at least 11 years of agribusiness experience and are within the age range of 41-50 years.About 49 percent had personal income as a major source of agribusiness finance. 51 percent had savings and 58.75 percent had income between N 5000- N 3400 per annum. Sixty percent had household size of 4-6 persons. Twenty six percent had access to formal rural banking credit. Thirty eight percent of the respondents with access to formal rural banking credit were assisted by extension agents during credit processes. This paper therefore recommended that there be greater level of collaboration between formal rural financial sources of credit and extension agents. Extension policies that will facilitate the funding and training of extension agents should be intensified so as to redirect extension back to its traditional role of educating these investors for optimal agribusiness investment performance. Keywords : Access, Rural banking, Agribusiness Investor, Empowerment
The study was on the adoption of selected agricultural technologies of Anambra State Agricultural Development programme by small scale farmers in Anambra State. Data were collected from purposively sampled 120 farmers in the state using structured interview schedule. The data were analyzed using percentages and chi-square analysis. The result indicated that the farmers rate of adoption is low. Only two technologies, cassava/maize/vegetable and sole improved cassava variety had the highest adoption rate of 70.8% and 70% respectively. The result of chi-square analysis indicated that there was a significant relationship between adoption and income at 1% level of significance. It was recommended that agricultural centers should be established in various towns in the study area to make agricultural inputs and packages accessible to farmers. Keywords: Adoption, Technology and Communication
The significant roles played by oil palm production in the economy of Nigeria in the years prior to the advent of crude oil cannot be over-emphasized. The study assessed farm families' adoption of oil palm processing technologies in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. The sample comprised 120 farm families selected through stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected with structured interview schedule and analyses done with descriptive statistics (especially percentage, mean and ranking). It was found that a large percentage of the respondents were aware of the 5 improved oil palm processing technologies with friends and relatives as major source of information. Adoption was significant for 3 out of 5 technologies under study. The major constraints to improved oil palm processing technologies were high cost of equipment and maintenance, products' low quality and inadequate power supply. It was recommended that the cost of the equipment be subsidized by Government and credit facilities made more accessible to farmers. Research should develop semi-mechanized oil palm processing technologies that does not require power supply while farmers should form cooperatives with a view to pulling resources together to take advantage of these technology. Key words: Processing, technology, oil palm, adoption, palm oil.
The study isolated and discussed the factors driving beef and fish consumption in Ekwusigo Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of Anambra State, Nigeria. Cross sectional data generated from 120 households randomly selected from five villages in Ekwusigo L.G.A was used. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis was used in analyzing the data. Results showed that the major drivers of beef consumption were prices of beef and prices fish while age, household size as well as own price of fish and price of beef determined fish consumption in the L.G.A. Comparatively, more fish was consumed than beef among households in the L.G.A. Based on the findings of this study, it is therefore recommended that policies geared towards the production of more fish such as establishment of more fish ponds be put in place by the government. Furthermore, credit liberalization policies should be implemented to scale up the level of fish production to augment the protein needs of households in Nigeria generally. Key Word : Comparative, beef, fish, consumption, Ekwusigo.
The study analyzed the strategies adopted by rural women associations in community development activities in Sagbama Local Government Area of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained through a structured and validated interview schedule administered to a sample size of 60 respondents from 15 women associations randomly selected from 26 registered women associations in the study area. Data were analyzed with the aid of frequency, percentage and mean. The result showed that majority of the respondents (about 33.3%) are within the age range of 40-49 years, about 53.3% of them have a household size of 10 and above persons, while 53.3% of them attained secondary education level. The community development activities rural women associations in the study area participate in include: provision of community boreholes (mean = 3.17), construction of community market stalls (mean = 3.17), building of community town halls (mean = 3.03), provision of rental services (mean = 2.50), among others. Among the strategies adopted by rural women associations in community development, mobilization of available community resources to support development projects, advising intervention agencies on priority areas of need, donation of resources for welfare services, provision of credit and loan to members were ranked high. It was therefore recommended that women associations should be drawn into the mainstream of rural development project planning and implementation processes. Keywords: Strategies, Rural women Associations, Community Development Activities.
Over the years, the use of local varieties of cassava by farmers especially in the study area had not appreciably improved the livelihood status of the farmers. This study, therefore, examined the effects of adoption of improved cassava varieties on the livelihoods of the rural farmers in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State in Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from 110 respondents with the aid of structured questionnaire, using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data for the study were analyzed with descriptive stat collected were subsequently analyzed with the use of simple descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The result showed that 65% of farmers were between age ranges of 26 - 55 years. The results further revealed that 91.8% of the farmers had farming experience of between 6 and 26 years and 90% aware of the improved varieties. The correlation analysis revealed that there were strong positive correlations between adoption of improved cassava varieties and increased productivity of farmers, enhanced farm income, household hunger reduction and improved nutrition. The farmers identified lack of farm inputs, inadequate funds and high cost of labour as major problems of cassava production. Policies aimed at encouraging farmers to form cooperatives, access to credit and subsidy on farm inputs were advocated for increased adoption of cassava varieties. Keywords: Adoption, Livelihoods and Rural Farmers.
The study investigated the influence of socio-economic characteristics of trainees on participation in the SPDC and NDDC skills acquisition programme in Bayelsa and Rivers States, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered to 271 respondents selected from 22 skill acquisition centres. Data were anslysed using desciptive and inferential statistics. It was found that there was a joint significant relationship between the entire socio-economic variables used in the model and the participation level of the trainees of SPDC and NDDC in the study area. It is recommended that the donors of both programmes SPDC and NDDC should ensure that these programmes are sustained by ensuring that more married youth and unmarried were engaged. From the report it was proved that the high level of participation of the youth contributed to the effectiveness of the programmes. Therefore more study centres with well-equipped facilities be made available for the training. The two programmes (NDDC and SPDC) must demonstrate sincerity of purpose by supplying adequate training materials, learning equipment and also conduct follow up study on their programmes’ graduates as ways of boosting the efficiency of the programmes in the future. There is need to develop effective mechanism for quality control and supervision for the programme. Key words: development, skill acquisition centres, Niger Delta
Since the discovery of the disease (AIDs), the Federal Government of Nigeria and Abia State Government in particular have attempted to put in place programmes that will constitute to its prevention and effective management. Yet there is an evidence in the rise of the epidemic. May be something is wrong with the strategy put in place in the eradication effort so far. Based on this premise the study tried to ascertain those cultural practices that can aid in the prevention of the epidemic. The study was carried out in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. Three communities Alaukwu, Amato and Nneise were randomly selected. A purposive random sampling technique was used to select females between the ages of 15 to 46 years for interview. A total of 120 respondents were selected from these communities. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analysis. Major results indicated that some cultural practices like chastity of girls before marriage, monogamy, equal education to both sexes and male circumcision with mean score of 2.71, 2.55, 2.50, 2.71 respectively aids in prevention of HIV/AIDs. The result further indicated some socioeconomic factors that aids in spread of the epidemic. Educational qualification had a coefficient of -2.202 which implies a negative relationship with Y. migration had a coefficient of 3.683 which implies a positive significant relationship with Y. Income had a coefficient of 2.664 which implies a positive relationship with Y. Migration had a co-efficient of 3.683 which implies a positive significant relationship with Y. The study therefore recommends that mobilization campaigns based on the cultural context of the HIV/AIDs epidemic should be encouraged for the effective prevention. Keywords: Culture, HIV/AIDs, socio-cultural factors food security
A participatory survey was conducted in Afaraukwu Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area (LGA), Abia State to assess indigenous knowledge practices of 100 women in organic crop production. Results showed that the women used assorted types of organic manure (farm yard, compost, poultry droppings and palm bunches refuse) as major soil amendment for crop production. All the respondents were engaged in root and tuber crops (cassava, yam, and cocoyam) as well as in vegetable production. About 70% of the respondents applied wood ash Pennisetum purpureaum to enhance tillering. Results showed that 70% of the respondents applied more organic manure in homestead farms than in distant farms. It was discovered that 100% of the respondents applied wood ash and liquid neem extract in sustainable plant health management in the control of pests in vegetable production. Major challenges facing the women are increasing scarcity of organic manure and the large quantities required to supply enough nutrients to sustain good crop yield and quality. Therefore, the study recommends that every family should have a compost pit where all biodegradable kitchen wastes and leaves should be deposited for use during cropping season. Keywords: indigenous knowledge practices, manure, homestead farms
This study highlighted the relevance of agricultural innovation systems, challenges encountered by the organisations associated with these innovation systems and the various ways of strengthening the linkages among these organizations. Agricultural innovation systems such as commodity-based innovation system, intervention-based innovation system, research approach, processes and linkages were reviewed in this work. The relevance of agricultural innovation systems were basically to improve national food and nutrition security, and enhance agricultural productivity, competitiveness and linkages to markets. Some of the constraints encountered by most organizations involve with innovation development, emergence and usage include finance, electricity, transportion and customs, efficient custom procedures and inconsistent policies governing organizations in the study area. Some of the ways of strengthening agricultural innovation systems in the study area include effective linkage among organizations, engagement and collaboration between stakeholders, facilitating or brokering alliances, strong farmers organizations, involving private sectors and ensuring use of market driven approaches. Key words: network, organizations, agricultural innovation systems
This study was carried out to examine the contributions of women social clubs in the Development of Communities in Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. The objective was to identify the number of registered women social clubs in the areas, their community development activities and projects and the perception of the residents of the communities. Based on the programmes of the women social clubs, data were collected from 67 registered women social clubs, 670 club members and 340 community residents. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The analysis revealed that Akuku-Toru had the highest number of registered women social clubs. Majority of the women social clubs were established between 1966 and 1998, and membership of most of the club was small and below 50. The women social clubs were community-based. They derived their funds from mostly dues and levies. The income of members of the clubs was low, consequently the clubs have not been able to embark on many projects. They concentrate mostly in activities that promote members’ welfare. The activities of 100% of the clubs were mostly social. Some also engaged in community outreach programmes and cultural activities. The few projects embarked upon were renovation of Secondary School Assembly hall, Town hall, construction of Pit latrines, waiting rooms, footbridge, etc. The mean response of community residents indicate that although the women social clubs were involved in community development activities, they have not performed tremendously well. It was recommended that Government should adopt more measures to remove the social structures that keep women in subordination. The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) should organize programmes to sensitize women. The economic empowerment of women in Kalabari land will increase the involvement of the social clubs in community development projects. The Local Government Councils in the area should also render financial assistance to the women social clubs in their bid to develop their communities. Key words: women social clubs, community development
The study determined the effect of UNICEF promoted traditional communication patterns on the attitude of farmers towards malaria prevention and control in Imo State Nigeria. Two groups of respondents were selected from four Local Government Areas of the State. First was a group that participated in a UNICEF communication project (the community dialogue) and another was a group that never participated in the community dialogue. Two hundred (200) respondents were selected from each group. A set structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Result of the t-test showed that UNICEF promoted health messages had positive effects on the attitude of the participants towards malaria prevention and control practices. Key Words : Attitude, Farmers, Community Dialogue, Malaria, Communication
The major problem facing most developing countries today is the need to transform their agricultural industries from one depending on traditional inputs with low productivity to one based on modern input with higher productivity. The study was set up to examine the causes and implication of slow pace of technology transfer and adoption in rural agriculture. Based on this major objective, the paper among other specific objectives, examines the role of extension agent in technology transfer and adoption, identify factor militating against technology transfer and adoption, unveil the implication and proffer appropriate strategies and recommendation. The causes of slow pace of technology transfer and adoption were identified to include ineffectiveness of extension delivery system, lack of adequate liaison between extension and research, lack of trained personnel both in quantity and quality, inadequate financial support, complexity of the new technology, incompatibility, in relation to the existing ones, high coat Of adopting the new technology among others. The slow pace of technology transfer and adoption were also found to have negative implication in rural agriculture and the nation’s economy as a whole because of the resultant low agricultural productivity. Based on these, the paper therefore concluded by recommending that Agricultural Extension Research Liaison service (AERLS) should be established, provision should be made for the expansion of man—power training facilities, high priority should be given to the development of appropriate innovation and technology that must be economically viable, culturally compatible etc. Hence this paper posit that, if all these are implemented the ugly trend would be reverse for the better. Key words: slow pace, technology transfer, adoption, rural agriculture
Rural development is a strategy designed to improve the social and economic life of the rural poor in order to improve productivity as well as increase employment and income of entire nation. Nigerian women and Rivers State women in particular play important roles in rural development. Rivers State Women posses some intrinsic characteristics that influence their participation in rural development. Thus this study identified the socio-economic variables that influence the participation of women in rural development in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was utilized in obtaining information from one hundred and fifteen (115) respondents. Data were analysed using percentages, mean and multiple regression analysis. The study revealed that mostly married women (56.6%) with mean age (X =46.2) participated in rural development activities. Church projects (X =4.2), woman empowerment programmes (X =3.8), and establishment of agro-processing/storage facilities(X =3.6) were the major rural development projects embarked upon by the women. Educational qualification (t=2.55) and leadership position (t= 2.34) were significant in influencing women participation in rural development. It was concluded that Nigerian women should be empowered in the following ways:- politically by electing and appointing them into leadership positions in the three tiers of government, financially by giving them interest free loans in banks and educationally by giving them more chances in our educational institutions. This will enable them to participate more in rural developments as this will have a multiplier and trickling down effect on the society. Keywords: Women, Socio-economic, Rural development, Nigeria.
Consumers are faced with a lot of options as to which variety of cowpea to purchase given availability of a wide range of varieties from which to make choice. This study therefore examined the consumer preferences for cowpea, described the pattern of cowpea price overtime; and determined the factors responsible for variation in price of cowpea. analytical techniques used in this study include descriptive statistics, and least significant difference (LSD). The primary data were collected through a structured from 120 respondents and secondary data was used to determine the factors for variation in prices of cowpea. The study revealed that consumers prefer that is of medium size, red in colour, very sweet in taste and a shelf-life of at least month. It also showed that the most preferred cowpea variety by the consumers is the variety (honey beans) due to its sweetness. It was also disclosed that prices of both red and the white cowpea prices falls in October-November and rises around May-June. secondary data used showed that variety, location and seasons are factors responsible variation in price of cowpea. It was therefore recommended that there should be awareness to marketers on what the consumers want and that agronomists should up with new hybrids that have some desirable characteristics such as reduced cooking, high palatability and medium size grains. Keywords: Cowpea; Least Significant Difference; Likert Scale; Honey beans; Consumers
The study analyzed safety management practices among extension workers in Rivers State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from respondents. A proportionate sampling technique was employed to select forty eight (48) extension workers from six establishments involved in extension service. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that majority (86.6%) of the extension workers were males, within the age range of 30- 40 years (44.4%) and 75% of them were married. All (100%) had postsecondary education qualification and the mean working experience was 13 years. The extension workers were exposed to hazards / risks such as accident on the farm, car/motor/bicycle accident, injury to the leg/hand, encounter with snakes/dangerous animals while on site, exposed to chemicals that are dangerous to health and dust fall. The government establishments had risk management policy that was not practiced by extension workers while the NGOs had risk management practices that were enforced and monitored by management to ensure its full implementation by extension workers. The risk management policy of the NGOs provided for personnel insurance, road, water office and site safety, periodic safety training, hazard analysis, health and environmental protection. The factors militating against risk management practices among workers in government establishment include: lack of safety training, absence of risk management policy and non-provision of safety gargets. Keywords: Risk Management Practices, Extension Workers
