Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the associated lockdown is a global health emergency with far-reaching consequences on the economy, basic services, and livelihood of the poor and vulnerable including leafy vegetable farmers. This research focused on drivers of profits among leafy vegetable farmers during COVID-19 lockdown in Egbeda Local Government Area Oyo State. Multistage sampling techniques were employed to choose120 leafy vegetable farmers. Structured questionnaire was designed to gather data and was analyze using with the aid of descriptive statistics, Gross Margin analysis and Ordinary Least Square regression. Results showed that the mean age of leafy vegetable farmers was 51 years. Majority (83.3%) of the leafy vegetable farmers were married, most (87.6%) were educatedwith a mean farming experience of 19 years. The Gross Margin result indicated of the farmers involved in leafy vegetable production was N573,537.00 which implies that the enterprise is profitable. The determinants of profit among leafy vegetable farmers during COVID-19 lockdown in Egbeda L. G. were educational level (5%), farm size (1%), inputs costs (1%) and cooperative membership (1%). It is therefore, recommended that more effort should be put in place by policy makers and agricultural stakeholders inform of cash assistance, inputs and programs that will help boost farmers production, thereby enhancing profits at any given period of time.

Perception plays a serious role in individual’s disposition and making rightful judgement of any event. Farmers’ interest, knowledge and experience over time in crop production may influence their attitude and participation in extension training activities. This study therefore determined perceived role of ICTs in agricultural extension/farmers training in Oyo and Ekiti States of Southwester Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select Two-Hundred and Thirty-Five (235) crop farmers. Data for the study was collected through structured interview schedule and analyzed with frequency counts, percentage, mean and ranking as main descriptive statistical tools, while Ordered probit inferential tool was employed to make inference between the variables. The mean age of the crop farmers was 49years, both male (61.3%) and female (38.7%) constituted the sampled population, majority (82.5%) of the crop farmers are literate with different educational background with 26years of farming experience. GSM-Phone (100.0%), Digital Camera/Video (100.0%each), Posters and Extension Bulletins (100.0%) are part of ICTs that are available and used for agricultural extension/farmers training. The crop farmers had different perception towards agricultural extension/farmers training. Some of the selected socio-economic variables (age- 3.41***, p sex- 1.72*, pmarital status- 5.17***, p; years spent in school- 1.77*, p and years of farming experience- 2.12, p exhited significant relationship with farmers perception on roles of ICTs in agricultural extension/farmers training.

The use of ICTs among the agricultural stakeholders is a prevalent phenomenon across the globe, which has significantly encouraged the information sharing on improved agricultural production. ICTs bridges the communication gap between the rural farmers and VEAs at least cost and lesser time. The study therefore assessed the ICTs preference in training and communicating crop farmers by VEAs. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of the VEAs in both States; identified and determined the frequency of use of the ICTs in training and communicating to farmers by the VEAs; and level of preference of ICTs for training and communicating farmers by the VEAs. The study revealed that more than half (57.5%) of the EAs in the selected States were between age of 31-40years and majority (90.6%) were males and literate with different educational qualifications and years of working experience in extension service. The study further revealed GSM-phone (=2.78 -1 st ), CD/DVD player (=2.35 – 2 nd ) and CD-ROM (=2.33 – 3 rd ) as ICTs that had highest mean values on basis of frequency of use; GSM-phone (=1.98 – 1 st ) and radio (=1.68 – 2 nd ) were also ranked first and second on the basis of most preferred ICTs in training and communicating farmers; age (0.514**), sex (0.432**), educational qualification (0.403**) and years of working experience (0.426**) of the EAs exhibited a significant relationship with their preference for ICTs in training and communicating farmers. The study therefore recommends the need to encourage the utilization of different ICTs that are considered to be appropriate for extension training and communication among the VEAs and the need for logistic support in form of acquisition of these ICT tools and provision of training on the application of different ICTs for extension services among the VEAs of the selected States.

The relevance of ICT to agricultural production cannot be over emphasized.Its application has leads to drastic increase in the level of food production among crop farmers as a result of their constant exposure to extension training on improved production technologies through the extension agents via different ICTs.This study therefore evaluated the influence of socio-economic factors on utilization of selected ICTs for extension training among extension agents of Southwestern States, Nigeria.Those factors influencing ICTs utilization were identified.Multistage sampling technique was employed to select Two-hundred and Eighty-seven EAs for the study.Data was collected with structured questionnaire and was analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistical tools.The study revealed that majority (90.6%) of the EAs in the extension service are males with only 9.4% females and between age range of 31-40years and different educational background and years of experience.The study further identified CD/DVD player (78.4%),GSM-phone (100.0%),projector (77.1%),Digital camera (45.6%) as part of the ICTs used among EAs in the area.ICT skills (WMS=251; 1 st ) and computer knowledge (WMS=2.41; 2 nd ), possession/ownership status of ICTs (WMS=2.26; 3 rd ) were ranked high as part of the identified factors that influence utilization of ICTs among the EAs.The years of working experience, sex, marital status and religion exhibited significant relationship with the utilization of selected ICTs for extension training.The study therefore, recommends that extension recruitment exercise should consider socio-economic factors of applicants in employing and deploying extension personnel for extension service; and extension agency should make extension service convenient for EAs through the provision of necessary supports and required ICTs for the extension training in order to encourage understanding and appropriate application of extension recommendations among the crop farmers in the area and Nigeria at large.

Effective communication implies that learning has taken place, and this may be determined by the communication skills of the teachers.The role of communication skills of trainer cannot be overemphasized in the provision of training for effective learning.This study therefore determined the perceived effects of village extension agents' communication skills in training farmers on extension recommendations in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria, Specifically, the study described the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers; identified the communication channels used by extension for extension training and determined the farmers' perception towards the effects of village extension agents' communication skills.Multistage sampling technique was employed in the selection of one hundred and fifteen (115) farmers.Data were collected through structured interview schedule and analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistical tools, and majority (64.3%) of the farmers were male and 35.7% female and different age groups.Larger percent (96.5%) were married with varied educational background and engaged in farming as primary occupation (57.4%).Farmers' association (84.3%), workshop (69.6%), field days (56.5%), scheduled group meeting (55.7%) were among the extension communication channels and farmers have different perception towards the effects of village extension agents' communication skills in training farmers on extension recommendations.The study therefore recommends that recruitment of personnel into extension service should be based on merit through necessary aptitude tests and the existing extension personnel should be encourage through on-the-job training to improve on their extension service delivery for effective communication of extension recommendations to farmers.

The development of the agro-industrial sector lies in increasing agricultural productivity which is directly affected by climatic changes. The study, therefore, evaluated the strategies for implementing agro-industrial policy in the face of climate change in Southwestern, Nigeria. The study adopted a participatory Field Survey Method to carry out a preliminary survey, while a multistage sampling procedure was used to select 238 crop processors/agro-industrialist. Data were collected through a structured interview schedule and analyzed with frequency distribution and percentage as main descriptive statistical tools. The study revealed different subsectors of agriculture adversely affected by climate change and several recommendations for policy formulation on climate change for sustainable agro-industrialization in the area. The study, therefore, recommends that stakeholders in agro-processing industries and governments at various levels should engage in regular consultation and participatory management mechanisms to reduce the effects of climate change on agro-industries and come up with policy documents that will promote and enhance sustainable agro-industrialization in South-west in particular and Nigeria at large. Keywords: Agro-Industries, Agro-processors, Climate Change, Policy Issues.

The study investigated farmers' level of satisfaction with inputs support service. Data were collected on sources of farm inputs, preferred sources of inputs and levels of satisfaction with input services from randomly selected 136 farmers in the five local government areas within Ogbomoso Zone of Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme. Frequencies and percentages, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in data analysis. Farmers are most satisfied with improved planting materials. However, farmers are not satisfied with fertilizer procurements, agro- chemicals and tractor hiring services in the stale. It has been statistically established that there is no significant difference in the levels of fanners' satisfaction with input support services. It is recommended that government should establish drop points at grass -roots level and reduce cost of farm Inputs and services.

Agriculture has been with mankind since the creation of the entire world and is as old as man himself. The developed countries have made great improvements in its practices, whereby few farmers conveniently feed their nations unlike in Nigeria where commercial farming is still at its infancy. One of the goals of the millennium development goals (MDGs) is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger using agricultural machinery and rural transformation. Adequate and sustainable food will enhance better income through commercialisation of agriculture and agricultural entrepreneurship. Agricultural enterprise accommodates over 70% of labour in Nigeria, contributing to GDP after petroleum. The ecological diversity, teeming population and production potential of various agro–ecologies offer the best platform for entrepreneurship in agriculture for sustainable food production and agro- raw materials. This paper focuses on harnessing agricultural potential of Nigeria for sustainable food production and food security for economic well-being of an average Nigerian. The methodology adopted in this paper which is a review include: the narrative – textual case study (NTCS), a social science research methods that relies on, and sources the needed information from empirical data of relevant authors. Our findings among others include list of different agricultural entrepreneurship that can bring good income, attitude require for desirable result and rural transformation needed that can promote agricultural enterprises in Nigeria.  The paper posits that when an agricultural practice in Nigeria is approached from entrepreneurial angle, it would help solve the problems of unemployment, food scarcity and malnutrition, and poverty among the rural dwellers in Nigeria. This will consequently increase per capita income, and standard of living of people in Nigeria and her sub-region. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Vehicle, Sustainable, Food Production

The study investigated the impact of National Special Programme for Food Security (NSPFS) on poverty alleviation among women in the three project sites of Oyo State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 166 participants from the sites of the programme while Systematic sampling technique was used to select 110 non- participants from the list of the farmers provided by the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) officials in Oyo State. A structured interview schedule was used to gather information from the respondents. Data collected were collated and subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, Tobit regression estimates, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test. Results of data analysis revealed that most (39.8%) of the women participants are middle aged and still active in agricultural production. In addition, majority (60.2%) of the participants were literate and participated more in cassava and maize production.

This study examines the impact of extension sendees onfarmers' production activities with a view to investigating the extension methods used by village extension workers and determine their impacts on farmers' production activities. Multistage sampling technique was used to collect datafrom 60 randomly selectedfarmers while purposively sampling technique was used to collect data from 13 extension workers in Ogbomoso Agricultural zone of Oyo State. Interview schedules and questionnaires were used to collect data from farmers and extension workers, respectively. Data were analyzed with statistical tools such asfrequency counts, percentage andmultiple regression analysis. Thefindings reveal that home andfarm visit method was the most preferred method byfarmers. It also shows that most of thefarmer's recorded increase infarm yield andproductivity with frequent use of the extension methods. The findings also reveal that village extension agents were very small in number. It was concluded that the extension sendee has made positive impact onfarmers' production activities in the study area.

The study examined the socio-economic characteristics of small-scale farmers that were participating in Oyo and Osun States\u0027 Agricultural Development programmes. Reasons for participation and activities in which they had participated were investigated. Data were collected from 120 randomly selected registered farmers in the two programmes. Frequency counts, percentages and chi-square analysis were used in data analysis. Majority of the sampled farmers were illiterates, but had many years of farming experience. Procurement of fertilizers at cheaper rate, easy accessibility to farm information, new crop varieties, new methods of farming, tractors and implements hiring were some of the reasons for participation. Farmers participated in the following programme activities, agricultural meetings, demonstrations, fortnightly training meetings, purchasing farm inputs and listening to radio agricultural programmes. Age of farmers had a positive and significant relationship with total number of activities in which farmers had participated.