The research was carried was carried out to evaluate the chemical composition of the dominant grasses harvested from the natural pasture in selected villages in Ogun State, South-western Nigeria at different seasons. The study was carried out using a 4 × 6 factorial arrangement comprising four seasons (early rain, late rain, early dry and late dry) at six locations (Afami, Atokun, Ibooro, Ileniku, Ipaaya, and Okerori). Results showed that the crude protein (CP) content significantly (p<0.05) varied from 5.56 % for Okerori to 7.34 % for Ibooro and the grasses harvested at Afami had the highest (72.75 %) neutral detergent fibre (NDF) values with the least (68.75 %) value recorded for Okerori, while the acid detergent fibre (ADF) values ranged from 41.00 % for Atokun to 48.25 % for Okerori. Also, CP value as affected by the season ranged from 4.23 % for late rainy to 9.44 % for the early rainy season and NDF values from 67.33% for late dry to 72.33 % for late rainy season while the early dry season had the highest value (48.00 %) for ADF with the least value (40.33 %) was recorded for the early rainy season. The phosphorus (P) value was highest at Ipaaya (2.99 g/kg) with the least value observed at Okerori (1.62 g/kg). The value for calcium ranged from 2.55 g/kg at Afami to 6.59 g/kg at Okerori. The P value of grasses as affected by seasons ranged from 1.46 g/kg for early dry to 2.66 g/kg for early rainy seasons.

This study seeks to assess gender inequality in and correlates of time poverty among 360 rural households in Southwest, Nigeria. A person is deemed to be time poor if (s)he works more than 10.5 hours per day, the internationally accepted threshold. Using the time allocation domain of the Abbreviated Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index, the study found that on the average, rural women and men spent about 10.3 hours and 8 hours, respectively, on work activities on a daily basis. Work activities for women were found to be diverse, spreading across reproductive and productive domains largely farming, own business e. g. trading, cooking and domestic work, while for men, work activities centred on productive economic activities, dominated by farming. Using a Probit regression model, the study found experience in agriculture and adoption of television to reduce the likelihood of time poverty among rural men. Surprisingly, participation in empowerment projects was found to increase the likelihood of time poverty among rural women. In conclusion, empowerment programmes should be expanded to address the non-material aspects of human well-being. Hence, the study recommends a gender-sensitive approach to intervention programmes in agriculture and adoption of a broader definition of empowerment which not only focus on expanding access to markets and increasing income but enhances control over time. This is more important for women who are already under the double burden of paid and unpaid domestic work.

This study examined the effect of ill-health on technical efficiency of food crop farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 300 randomly selected food crop farmers using multistage sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). Findings revealed that respondents were still in their economic active age with mean age 46.5 years. Most (82.3%) of the farmers were male and 44.3% of the sampled farmers have primary education. Majority (70.0%) of the respondents had access to health care services out of which 50.7% had access to government maternity. 58.3 percentage of the respondents lost about 5 farming days due to illness of a member while majority (93.3%) of the farmers reported ill-health due to malaria, cold and catarrh. Farmers’ mean annual expenditure transportation to the nearest health care Centre and medication were ₦137.00 and ₦4,228.83 respectively. Mean technical efficiency was estimated to be 0.627 and the returns to scale computed as the sum of output elasticity for all inputs was estimated as 1.6506, indicating increasing return to scale. SFA showed that travel cost to health care centres (p<0.01) and cost of disease treatment (p<0.05) significantly decreased efficiency. The study concluded that cost of disease treatment decreased farmers’ efficiency. Therefore, government is encouraged to site health care facilities closer to farmers and ensure that the facilities are adequately equipped with modern medical equipment, drug and trained medical personnel. This should be accessible by farmers to improve efficiency.

This study on rural livestock farmers was conducted with a view to assessing the extent of patronage of veterinary services by the farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling was used to select on hundred and twenty (120) livestock farmers, with a bias for small farm animals. Goat, sheep, rabbit, pig and chicken constituted the common small farm animals raised by the selected farmers. It was however observed the small farm animals were infected by certain pests and diseases that call for treatment. About 63.3 percent of the respondents take to self-treatment of their animals, using local control measures. Out of the remaining 35.7 percent of the respondents that patronized the veterinary services, only about 6.7 percent of them do so regularly. A chic-square test of the relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of the livestock farmers and patronage of the veterinary services (at 5% significant level) shows that there was significant relationship between patronage and age, educational status and experience in livestock management by the farmers. Also a test of correlation relationship between the cost of veterinary services and patronage shows a significant relationship between the two variables (r = 0.087, and r = 0.574 at 5% significant level). It was thus concluded that rural livestock farmers’ patronage of the veterinarian services was low in Ogun State, with recommendations that the extension agency in the state should intensify effort in promotion of veterinary services among the livestock farmers for patronage.

socio-economic characteristics of respondents were described using frequency counts and percentages. Inferential statistics such as chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. Geographic Information System (GIS) software (ArcView 9.3) was used to map locations and analyse distances and multiple buffers were developed around input centers to determine farmers' accessibility. Results from the study show that inputs like fertilizer (65%), agro-chemicals (94.38%), and planting materials like seeds and stems (90.63%) were majorly procured from private input centers. Majority (74.37%) of the farmers interviewed travel more than 15 km to procure input from government established input centers. Chi-square results showed significant relationship between sex (χ2=29.51, P=0.05), marital status (χ2=10.97, P=0.00), income (χ2=32.55, P=0.00) and farm size (χ2=14.73, P=0.00). Improvement in agricultural output will depend to some extent on farmers’ access to agro-input centers. The government should establish agro-input input centers closer to farmers and make inputs available at subsidized rates; this will make them affordable to farmers and increase agricultural production.

I n West Africa, low adoption of agricultural innovations by farmers has been partly due to the complexity of the innovation structure or new knowledge beyond the farmers’socio-economic adaptive capacities. Different attempts have been made to improve cocoa beans quality in Nigeria among which was the recommendation of ‘improved cultural practices’or ‘best known practices’ (ICMP). This had recorded little success because of the complexity and enormity of the ICMP. The present study, therefore, made an attempt to resolve this, in the major cocoa growing states of Nigeria, through farmers-researcher participatory approach with the aid of interview guide. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Principal Component Analysis procedures in SPSS to identify the minimum essential practices out of the overall ICMP forsustainable cocoa production. The result showed that cocoa farmers practiced 47 activities recognized as ICMP which were grouped as nursery, on farm, harvesting or post-harvest activities. The highest overall percentage use of any of these activities was 3 %, while the least being smaller than 1 %. It was found that 13 out of 47 activities contributed 71.45 % to the overall ICMP, whereas the current cumulative percent use of these 13 activities was 28 %. The individual percent use of each of the 13 activities was about 3 %. The highest contributors among the 13 activities were coded ba1 and ba11 while the least was bb4. Efforts to intensify the use of these 13 activities rather than the 47 activities should be encouraged among farmers for sustainable and high quality cocoa production.

Antimicrobial usage in animals contributes to the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacterial strains. Investigations were carried out on how the characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices of antimicrobial marketers influenced antimicrobials usage in animal production in Oyo and Kaduna States, Nigeria. Focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and structured questionnaires were used to gather information about the characteristics and activities of antimicrobial marketers. Overall, 70 (56.9 %) of 123 marketers had post-secondary education while 76 (61.8 %) were trained on the use of antimicrobials. Eighteen (14.6 %) of the marketers were licensed veterinarians. Only 51 (41.5 %) marketers displayed adequate knowledge about antimicrobials and antimicrobial usage. Sixty-seven (54.6 %) marketers requested a prescription before selling antimicrobials while 113 (91.9 %) marketer recommended antimicrobials for use in animals. Two-third of the marketers (66.7 %) prescribed antimicrobials without physically examining sick animals but based their prescriptions on verbal reports of clinical signs by farmers and on their personal experience. Marketers with higher educational qualification displayed more adequate knowledge of antimicrobials and antimicrobial usage than those with basic education background only. More years of experience in antimicrobial marketing did not translate to better knowledge on antimicrobial usage. Only 45 (36.6 %) respondents were aware of the existence of regulatory agencies monitoring the use of antimicrobials in animals. Farmers ignored the services of veterinarians in the diagnosis and control of animal diseases but resorted to drug marketers for help. Effective communication of existing legislations on antimicrobial usage, improved access to veterinary services and strict enforcement of regulatory policies are recommended for checking non-judicious use of antimicrobial agents in animal production. Sales of antimicrobial agents for animal use without veterinarian’s prescription must be prohibited.

The study examined extent of rural women participation in four community development projects in Ido local government area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Three hundred and ten rural women were selected from 10 political wards in Ido Local Government area of the State and data were collected through informal interview guide. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, mean while chi-square was used to determine the relationship between women’s socio-economic characteristics and extent of participation in community development project (CDP). Scores were also assigned for participation of women and this was categorized as high, average, low and no participation. Findings from the study show that women participated at different levels of the project but the overall participation was low. Chi-square result shows that occupation, income and marital status were significant to participation in CDP (at 0.05 level of significance). It is therefore recommended that government should improve the occupational Original Research Article Oyegbami et al.; BJESBS, 16(1): 1-10, 2016; Article no.BJESBS.22976 2 condition and educational status of women so as to achieve rapid rural development and enhance women’s condition to local economy, household livelihood and improve standard of living.

The savanna ecosystem covers about 48.5% of Nigeria’s land area. It is a national common for intensive cropping and extensive grazing. Fierce competition for land and water resources among the crop farmers and pastoralists is a common feature. This article shares insights from two separate, but linked, studies conducted in the Nigerian savanna on the livelihood and food security of the local peasant farming communities and the vulnerability of the settled Fulani agro-pastoralists’ livelihoods. Household interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were employed among both the farming and agro-pastoralist communities. 191 respondents in 11 local farming communities and 201 households in 40 Fulani sub-communities (pastoral family steads locally referred to as “gaa”) were sampled in Ogun, Oyo, and Kwara States. Evidence from the studies suggests that poor resource governance arrangment is a key factor of 1 Department of Geography, University of Lagos, Nigeria 2 Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria 3 Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria 4 Department of Geography, University of Lagos, Nigeria. 5 Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, Ibadan, Nigeria 6 Department of Geography, University of Lagos, Nigeria. 7 Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources, and Agricultural Research, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. 8 Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria. 88 Journal of Global Initiatives farmer-pastoralist conflict. Both the farmers and pastoralists are sufficiently aware of the threat of clashes to human insecurity in the region. Some of the communities are taking steps to build confidence and improve relationships with the agropastoralist communities. On the other hand, the Fulanis also have conflict resolution measures and collective actions to reach out to their host farming communities. The role of the government has not been very encourging. More concrete and proactive measures are required to improve resource governance in order to de-escalate the current levels of resource conflicts in the savanna.

Antimicrobials have proven to be important for sustainable livestock production by their use as growth promoters and in the control of animal infections. However, injudicious use of antimicrobials could accelerate the emergence and spread of resistant bacterial strains with attendant socioeconomic and public health issues, This work assessed antimicrobial usage in animal production with emphasis on usage and practices by livestock producers in Oyo and Kaduna States of Nigeria. Data on antimicrobial usage were collected through interviews, questionnaire and focus group discussions. Four hundred and fifty-four farmers in 11 communities within 11 Local Government Areas of Oyo and Kaduna States of Nigeria were sampled in a multi-stage sampling procedure. The study showed that antimicrobial agents were widely distributed, readily accessible and commonly used in animal production. Fluoroquinolones and other critically important antimicrobials for human medicine were widely used in animals as prophylactics. Potentially harmful antimicrobials including furazolidones and chloramphenicol already banned for use in humans and animals were freely marketed and used in livestock production. Most of the respondents believed that veterinarians should be responsible for the administration of antimicrobials to animals, but in practice, they buy and administer antimicrobials without consulting veterinary professionals, It was observed that the ready availability of antimicrobial agents promoted the use of antimicrobials in livestock production and may encourage non-adherence to hygienic principles and management laxity in farm operations. The non-involvement of veterinary professionals and laboratory investigations in disease diagnosis prior to antimicrobial use could lead to improper usage that contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial strains, Responsible antimicrobial stewardship and strict regulations are vital to prolonging the benefits derivable from the use of antimicrobials.

The study was carried out to assess the contribution of Formal Financial Institutions (FFIs) to income of cassava processors in Benue state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 234 cassava processors from 18 communities in the state. Data on credit sources and uses, processing activities and income were collected using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while the impact of the credit was assessed using the before and after comparison. The result shows that about a third of the processors had access to formal credits. The Nigerian Agricultural Bank ranked highest (83%) in terms of patronage. Commercial and microfinance banks’ lending to cassava processing represented about 12% and 5% respectively of the total credit received. Majority (70%) of the processors received less than N100, 000 per year; an average of N63,152, which is about 12% of total amount, required. Credit financing from formal financial institutions was found to have significant effects on both the output of garri and flour processed and the profit from garri, flour and chips’ processing. The credit use structure shows that over 65% of the credit was use to increase processing scale, through increase in the purchase of raw tubers and payment for processing labour.

The purpose of this study is to assess the professional competencies and training needs of extension agents for sustainable adoption of sawah (wet rice) method of cultivation in Nigeria. Using a pretested questionnaire, data were collected from one hundred and twenty extension agents of the Agricultural Development Programmes from six states where wet rice cultivation is adopted in Nigeria. The results reveal that extension agents need training in the areas of layout and design, site selection, power tiller operation and management. Extension agents also require training in the areas such as conducting demonstration, communication skills, farmers training and formation of farmers' groups to effectively communicate with producers. The regression analysis shows that the training needs of extension agents are significantly related to years of involvement in sawah, number of training attended and attendance of previous training. The study therefore recommends that more and better focused on-the-job training programs should be organised for the extension staff.

The study was carried out to assess the contribution of Formal Financial Institutions (FFIs) to income of cassava processors in Benue state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 234 cassava processors from 18 communities in the state. Data on credit sources and uses, processing activities and income were collected using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while the impact of the credit was assessed using the before and after comparison. The result shows that about a third of the processors had access to formal credits. The Nigerian Agricultural Bank ranked highest (83%) in terms of patronage. Commercial and microfi- nance banks«¤?? lending to cassava processing represented about 12% and 5% respectively of the total credit received. Majority (70%) of the processors received less than N100, 000 per year; an average of N63,152, which is about 12% of total amount, required. Credit financing from formal financial institu- tions was found to have significant effects on both the output of garri and flour processed and the profit from garri, flour and chips«¤?? processing. The credit use structure shows that over 65% of the credit was use to increase processing scale, through increase in the purchase of raw tubers and payment for processing labour.

Background. Placental malaria has long been acknowledged as a complication of malaria in pregnancy, and has been associated with poor pregnancy outcome in malaria-endemic areas. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors associated with occurrence of placental malaria in a population of parturients in Abeokuta Ogun State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods. Maternal and placenta blood samples were collected from 211 parturients. Blood films were prepared, stained with 10% Giemsa and microscopically analysed for the presence of parasites. Demographic characteristics were recorded in case record forms. Chi-square tests and a regression model were computed to analyse risks, using SPSS version 16.0. Results. Overall, 40.8% (86 of 211) of the parturients had malaria at the time of delivery, with 19.0% (40 of 211) having placental malaria. We identified being within the age range of 18-22 years [OR = 4.4, 95% CL = 1.1-17.4, P = 0.046], being primigravid [OR = 2.1, 95% CL = 0.9-5.1, P = 0.028] and living in a congested apartment [OR = 1.6, 95% CL = 0.4-6.0, P = 0.029] as significant risk factors for placental malaria. Non-usage of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) [OR = 2.6, 95% CL = 1.2-5.4, P = 0.018], long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) [OR = 2.7, 95% CL = 1.3-5.5, P = 0.005] were also risk factors for placental malaria. Conclusions. In Abeokuta, the proper use of LLIN and IPT for pregnant women is essential to curb the scourge of malaria, associated risks and poor pregnancy outcomes.

This research explores the activities of community institutions in achieving sustainable forest management (SFM) and sustained forest cover. Three institutions representing the administrative, economic, and social/traditional institutions were identified. The institutions had 30 forest management activities and satisfied about 66% of SFM Criteria and Indicators. A loss of 122 ha of forest cover was estimated over the last 30 yr, attributed to conversion of forests to built-up areas. Cooperative culture and economic incentives, among others, influenced institutions' effectiveness and collective behavior toward achieving SFM. Coordinated strategies that can increase wood demand will motivate forest owners toward SFM.

This study examined the land rights and rental systems followed by sawah rice farmers in Nigeria. The study was conducted in six states in Nigeria that use sawah rice tech- nology: Kwara, Ondo, Niger, Ebonyi, Kaduna, and Abuja, which is the Federal Capital Terri- tory. A total of 124 sawah farmers were selected for participation based on their involvement in sawah-based rice production. Data used in this study were collected from October 2009 to January 2011 in all the sawah sites in Nigeria. T-test was used to determine significant differ - ences in the yields and farm sizes of landlord and tenant farmers. The land tenure system practiced in the lowlands is governed primarily by inheritance (71.8%), with temporary ar- rangements made through rentals (37.1%). Tenants pay ₦12,000 ha -1 year -1 in land-for-cash agreements and 5% of the total yield of rice in land-for-paddy agreements. Generally, agree- ments between landlords and tenants are verbal, binding, and honored by both parties. Land conflicts occur when either party breaches the agreement and always result in the landlords taking over the land. Significant differences in the farm sizes (t = 3.424 P<0.05 = 0.02) and yields (t = 3.167 P<0.05 = 0.01) of landlord and tenant farmers were found. The findings of the study indicate the importance of secured land tenure, which affects the practice of sawah and the productivity of rice farming. Sustaining and improving sawah rice production in the study area will require addressing the land tenure issues of both landlords and tenants.

The trial was conducted at the Federal University of Agriculture; Abeokuta, Nigeria in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 cropping season to evaluate the performance of lowland rice-ratooned rice-okra as influenced by fertilizer rates in sawah rice based system. Field was manually cleared and bunded but power tilled, puddled and leveled with inlet and outlet connections for irrigation and drainage. Fertilizer treatments evaluated on lowland rice were 90:45:45, 60:30:30, 45:22.5:22.5 and 30:15:15 NPK kg ha -1 whereas those of ratooned rice were 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha -1 . Grain yield, chlorophyll content and plant height at maturity of the main lowland rice were similar. The ratooned rice crop treated with N-fertilizer had similar grain yield. The total grain yield of the two crops of rice ranged between 4.47 and 5.65 t ha -1 year -1 . The okra leaf chlorophyll content and okra pod weight obtained from the previous N-fertilizer plot of 60 and 90 kg N ha -1 were similar but significantly higher than those of 0 and 30 kg N ha -1 . Thus, fertilizer combination of 30:15:15 kg NPK ha -1 for lowland rice and 60 kg N ha -1 for ratooned rice in sawah rice based production system enhanced the productivity of succeeding okra plant.

Agriculture in Japan has witnessed consistent policy protection and support since the end of World II. The protectionist policy gave fairer trade and subsidy treatment to Japanese farmers than their counterparts in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The policy also created trade barriers in the Asia-Pacific region, placing very high tariffs on certain agricultural products such as rice and milk. However, since the changes in political dynamics in Japan in 1995, there has been a shift towards liberalization in the agricultural sector. This has implications for the structural transformation of Japan Agricultural cooperative (JA) whose role in political and trade negotiations sustained the protectionist policy. JA’s financial and trade businesses also enjoyed overwhelming support and protection from the government for about five decades. The policy changes also brought to the fore the need for agricultural competit iveness in the Asia Pacific and the need for Japan to join the discussion forum for the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). Japanese farmers are now left in a dilemma of retaining their inefficient, small scale production system or accepting the need for structural transformation of JA and facing the challenges of trade agreements. This paper examines this dilemma. Data for the study were collected through desk review and field level survey among the 2,914 regular and associate members of JA Oguni-go in Aso County, Kumamoto Prefecture, Southern Japan. The field survey involved responses of 91 farmers to a questionnaire, personalized interviews with 22 farmers and four JA/city officials and 12 focus groups representing each commodity group. The localization of the JA system could create competitiveness among local communities and the existing market network and the organizational strength of JA can also be utilized to overcome the dilemma and perform efficiently in the face of the changing policy.