We recommend systematically optimising the composition of insect meals in broiler feed, emphasising insects' intrinsic antioxidant properties to eliminate lipid oxidation in meat products. The proposed method will involve high-resolution antioxidant profiling of candidate insects (e.g. Hermetia illucens and Tenebrio molitor) using the HPLC-DPPH method and subsequently using these metrics to index insect diets as an antioxidant capacity index (ACI). Broiler diets containing insect meals show better performance at inclusion ratios of 5-15, with macronutrient parity maintained through iso-nitrogen substitution for soybean meal. Additionally, the addition of proteases improves chitin digestion and enhances nutrient utilization. The insect diets with high antioxidant content are to be evaluated for broiler growth, carcass characteristics and the stability of the meat product's oxidative system, as assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA) and peroxide values (PV). These are summarised as a nutritional stability score (NSS), in which oxidation resistance is compared with growth measurements to continuously optimise feeds. The approach is also unusual compared to conventional methods because it dynamically correlates insect biochemistry with meat quality, thereby enabling a closed-loop system for the sustainable production of broilers. It shows that insect meals optimised for antioxidant content can serve as both a growth efficiency agent and a shelf-life extension agent, providing a dual effect for the poultry industry. Its scale is not specific and can be optimised in the future if new insect species or processing technologies emerge.

The shift to circular agrosystems necessitates using new ideas like sustainable biochar, which provides many eco-beneficial attributes like enhancing soil fertility, storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, and retaining soil moisture. However, there is still a small number of farmers worldwide (particularly those located in low-income countries) adopting biochar. Accordingly, this research is focused primarily on determining how factors affecting behavior will influence the decision of wheat producers in Marvdasht County, in Iran’s Fars Province, to use biochar as a circular technology for farming. The study will focus on addressing issues related to environmental challenges (e.g., degradation of soil and drought) through the implementation of resource-efficient, sustainable agricultural technologies. The intent of this paper was to research the behavioral characteristics associated with wheat farmers who choose to use biochar in the city of Marvdasht, Fars Region, Iran, using a new Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The model is theoretically enriched through the inclusion of personal norms and connectedness to the land, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of pro-environmental decision-making. Data was collected from a total of 386 wheat farmers through the use of a structured survey. The data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with the software Smart-PLS 3.0. The results reveal that attitude (β = 0.342, p < 0.001) and personal norms (β = 0.278, p < 0.001) are the strongest predictors of behavioral intention, while perceived behavioral control showed a weaker but significant effect (β = 0.178, p = 0.049). Subjective norms do not have a significant direct effect (β = 0.115, p = 0.199) but significantly influence intention indirectly through personal norms (β = 0.100, p < 0.001). Furthermore, connectedness to the land strongly affects personal norms (β = 0.420, p < 0.001) and exerts a significant indirect effect on intention (β = 0.117, p < 0.001), highlighting the importance of emotional attachment to land. The findings are significant because they demonstrated that farmers’ biochar adoption decisions are shaped not only by rational evaluations but also by moral obligations and emotional relationships with land. This study makes significant theoretical contributions by extending TPB with moral and relational constructs and empirically demonstrating their mediating roles in agricultural innovation adoption. The novelty of this study lies in integrating personal norms and connectedness to the land into the TPB framework to explain biochar adoption behavior within the context of circular agriculture in a developing country. Practically, the findings provide evidence-based insights for designing policies that integrate cognitive, ethical, and emotional drivers to promote biochar adoption and advance circular agriculture. Specifically, policymakers and extension agencies should prioritize behavioral-level strategies such as awareness campaigns, farmer training programs, and community-based initiatives that strengthen positive attitudes, environmental responsibility, and farmers’ emotional connection to land in order to enhance biochar adoption.

Individual protective covers (IPCs) are a new exclusion strategy used in young citrus groves to exclude Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri , the vector of the causal agent responsible for Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening. Other strategies to manage ACP in commercial citrus include red-dyed kaolin and reflective groundcover; however, these tools have not been evaluated on residential citrus. In collaboration with extension agents and master gardener volunteers, the efficacy of the IPCs, red-dyed kaolin, and a modified version of reflective groundcover, called reflective donuts, were evaluated in young backyard citrus located in 8 counties and 10 different locations. The effect of these treatments on 14 variables, including arthropod pests (ACP, citrus leafminer, and spider mites), diseases (citrus canker, greasy spot, and HLB symptoms), and tree growth (flush count, canopy spread, canopy width, trunk circumference, and tree height) were assessed for 2 years. IPCs excluded ACP successfully during the first year of the study, but not the second. IPCs reduced leafminer infestation and HLB symptoms significantly compared with the other treatments in both years. At the end of the study, red-dyed kaolin and reflective donuts improved tree growth, but leafminer infestation and HLB symptoms were not reduced compared with control trees (i.e., sprayed with insecticide on a calendar basis). Spider mite webbing and canker symptoms stayed low throughout treatments, which differed from previous studies done in commercial plantings.

This study analyzed the level of farmers' knowledge on contract farming in Kwara State, Nigeria. It described their socioeconomic characteristics, examined the knowledge of the respondents about contract farming, investigated their sources of information, examined attitudes toward contract farming and assessed participation levels. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 152 farmers. Data were collected through a structured interview divided into five sections. The analysis employed descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and ranking) and inferential statistics (ordinal logistic regression). The majority of respondents were male (94.7%) and married (96.1%), with 75.0% having completed tertiary education. Over half (90.8%) of the farmers demonstrated knowledge of contract farming, with an average of 4.2 years of experience in the field Findings showed that farmers relied heavily on extension agents for agricultural information (73.2%). The result of the ordinary logistic regression indicated that Knowledge of contract farming among respondents is significantly influenced by marital status, income, association membership, and farm size. Therefore, it is recommended that extension organizations continue to support farmers’ development in this sector, provide detailed information on contract terms, and improve various information channels. Farmers' attitudes during the contract should always be addressed and aligned with the contract agreement.

Smallholder farmers in Kitui West Sub-county, Kitui County, rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture, making them highly vulnerable to climate variability and change. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) provides a sustainable approach to enhance productivity, resilience, and environmental conservation. However, adoption of CSA practices remains uneven, particularly among women farmers, despite their significant role in agricultural production. This study examined the role of women farmer groups in facilitating the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices under private sector-led extension systems in Kitui West Sub-county. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, involving 196 smallholder farmers selected using Cochran’s sampling formula. In addition, purposive sampling was used to select women farmer groups, extension agents, and key stakeholders for interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analysed using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression in SPSS. The findings revealed that 75.1% of respondents belonged to women farmer groups, and group membership was significantly associated with CSA adoption (χ² = 10.842, p = 0.001). Frequency of meetings, perceived benefits, and discussion topics were also significantly associated with CSA uptake (p < 0.05). A majority (81.5%) of respondents perceived women farmer groups as critical drivers of CSA adoption. The study concludes that women farmer groups are effective platforms for promoting CSA through knowledge sharing, collective learning, and access to extension services. The study recommends strengthening private sector partnerships, enhancing access to training and financial services, and promoting gender-responsive extension systems.

Chronic diseases remain a pressing issue in Texas, where high rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions challenge public health. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service addresses health by translating research into practice at the community level through educational programming and resources created by Extension Specialists and delivered by Extension Agents. HealthTalk Express is a simple, pre-prepared program addressing chronic conditions and encouraging active living and healthy eating. The program delivers short, science-based health presentations designed to inform and inspire behavior change. Since its relaunch in 2023, HealthTalk Express includes 12 modules and has reached over 2,000 adults across 43 counties, offering presentations on topics like stress reduction, heart disease, diabetes prevention, and cancer screening. Evaluation data show significant improvements in participant knowledge (+1.1 on a 5-point scale) and strong intention to adopt healthier behaviors (average score = 4.3 on a 5-point scale). Innovative evaluation methods using the AgriLife Extension Howdy Health platform allow for streamlined data collection and real-time reporting. In addition to improving health, the program fosters strategic partnerships by connecting Extension Agents to local organizations like senior centers, schools, and worksites. Agents report that providing one-shot and short series programs like HealthTalk Express provides a gateway to future programming. Also, its design enables delivery by trained Master Wellness Volunteers, expanding reach and freeing up Agents to engage in broader community-based solutions, like coalition-building. With continued development, HealthTalk Express stands as a promising and scalable model for chronic disease prevention and partnership development within the Cooperative Extension system.

Abstract Precision agriculture technologies (PATs) have revolutionized the agriculture industry and provide many benefits to farmers. Among these benefits is the ability to conduct experiments in a process known as on‐farm precision experimentation (OFPE). By conducting these experiments and through collaboration with researchers, crop consultants, and extension agents, farmers can learn site‐specific management practices to better address challenges in their operations. However, adoption rates of these technologies have remained below 50% in the United States. Furthermore, very few studies have explored the factors that influence a farmer's decision to conduct experiments, or their willingness to collaborate with external stakeholders such as researchers, crop consultants, and extension agents. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to measure farmers' perceptions of PATs and OFPE, identify farmer characteristics associated with OFPE, and explore their willingness to engage in collaborative OFPE. Respondents perceive that PATs help them make better decisions for their operations (84.6%), and 96.3% of those who conduct on‐farm experiments use PATs to do so. Operators whose farms are 1,000 acres or larger, who operate on rented acreage, and who adopt PATs are more likely to engage in on‐farm experimentation. While most OFPE is conducted without external engagement, nearly half of respondents are interested in collaborative OFPE. These results may help guide researchers, crop consultants, and extension personnel as they look for opportunities to collaborate with farmers. This collaboration can help address questions of mutual interest and work toward solutions to the economic and environmental challenges facing agriculture.

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a major temperate fruit crop of the north-western Himalayan region and holds significant importance for both fresh consumption and processing industries. However, the predominance of traditional cultivars and changing climatic conditions have necessitated the evaluation of improved cultivars with better fruit quality and productivity under specific agro-climatic conditions. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the physico-chemical parameter of thirty apple cultivars belonging to delicious group, spur type and colour strains at ICAR- Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Regional Station, Mukteshwar, Nainital, Uttarakhand from 2023-25. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Result showed that among all cultivars, the highest fruit weight (209.35 g), fruit volume (226.67 cc), fruit length (7.27 cm) and fruit diameter (8.37 cm) was recorded in cultivar Mollies Delicious while the lowest fruit weight (54.46 g), fruit volume (53.33 cc), fruit length (4.46 cm) and fruit diameter (5.48 cm) was recorded in Early Shanburry cultivar. The highest T.S.S. was recorded in Stark Spur (13.60 °B) while lowest in Vermont Spur (8.20 °B), whereas highest acidity was recorded in Lord Lambourne (1.07%) and lowest in Chaubattia Anupam (0.10%). The highest values for ascorbic acid (17.49 mg/100 g) were recorded in Red Chief, Rich-A-Red and Bright-N-Early while lowest in Red Spur (3.28 mg/100 g). The highest reducing sugar (7.58%) and total sugars (8.75%) was recorded in Tydeman Early Worcester. The highest carotene content (242.73 µg/100 g) was recorded in Lord Lambourne. The highest total anti-oxidant activity (45.11 mMTE/L) was recorded in Royal Delicious while lowest in Golden Delicious (34.44 mM TE/L). From the investigation it can be inferred that the cultivar Mollies Delicious, Chaubattia Princess, Oregon Spur, Golden Delicious performed better in the region under prevailing climatic conditions. From the investigation, it can be inferred that the cultivars Mollies Delicious, Chaubattia Princess, Oregon Spur, and Golden Delicious performed better under the prevailing climatic conditions of the region. These findings can be effectively utilized by farmers, horticulturists, and extension agencies for selection of suitable cultivars to enhance productivity and fruit quality. Therefore, these cultivars are recommended for commercial cultivation in similar agro-climatic conditions.

The present study was conducted during October, 2025 at Bandh Nabagram village, Sriniketan block, Birbhum district, West Bengal, India to investigate communication behaviours of fifty farmers using Association Rule Mining (ARM). ARM is a data mining technique to identify probabilistic relationships among channels such as Krishak Bandhu, social media, Television, Radio, Agricultural Officers/KVK, and Local Input Dealers. Field-level agricultural communication was inherently complex, as farmers rely on multiple channels whose usage patterns and interdependencies vary across individuals. Each farmer’s channel usage was encoded as a transaction, allowing ARM to generate association rules, with strength and relevance quantified through support, confidence, lift, leverage, and conviction. The analysis revealed sixty-two combinations of communication channel usage among respondent farmers. Support values ranged from 0.46 to 0.54, indicating frequent co-usage of certain channels. Confidence values spanned 0.46 to 1, highlighting deterministic and complementary pairings. Lift (1–2.17) and leverage (0–0.248) identified synergistic combinations exceeding random expectations, while conviction (1–∞) highlighted highly reliable predictive relationships. Notably, combinations such as Radio with Agricultural Officers/KVK and social media with Krishak Bandhu demonstrated perfect predictability, emphasizing their importance in extension design. The findings underscored farmers’ multi-channel information-seeking behaviour and indicated that integrated digital and interpersonal strategies optimized knowledge dissemination. Policymakers and extension agencies prioritized impactful channel combinations, enhanced adoption of innovative practices, and designed context-specific interventions in rural West Bengal. Future research was suggested to examine temporal dynamics, larger populations, and emerging digital tools.

Forecasting agricultural commodity prices is a fundamental tool for sustainable development in the agricultural economy and broader economic stability. With rapid and simple access to information on future prices, farmers can plan their planting schedules to optimize profits. This study presents a prototype AI chatbot that integrates price forecasting and advisory functions to assist farmers in decision-making and interact as an extension agent. Price forecasting employed Random Forest regression, achieving MAPE of 8.34% training, 13.98% validation, and 15.62% testing. The chatbot was developed to access price forecasting information for the next four months. This system also integrates an LLM-AI model for consultations on planting schedules and other topics using a trusted knowledge base. During the testing phase, the chatbot successfully made predictions, provided recommendations, and interacted as an extension agent. Although demonstrating promising results, this study is limited to shallot price forecasting in Yogyakarta, highlighting the need for broader commodity and regional coverage in future studies. Unlike previous studies that focused only on forecasting or advisory, this study integrates predictive analytics with conversational AI in a farmer friendly chatbot.

Climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria. This study assessed the utilization of Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices by describing the socio-economic characteristics of rural farmers, identifying their sources of information on CSA, documenting CSA practices currently adopted, and examining the constraints hindering widespread utilization. The key findings are that the majority of respondents were male (59.6%) and youths aged 20–35 years (59.6%), with most being married (59.6%) and having small households (79.8%). Although many earned a modest income (₦150,000–₦250,000 annually). A majority lacked access to credit (82.6%), which is a major limitation to CSA investment. CSA information access shows that Radio/TV (60.6%) was the main information source, and only 21.1% received CSA information from extension agents. CSA adoption and duration indicated that conservation agriculture was the most adopted practice (68.8%), and the majority (62.3%) had adopted CSA practices within the last two years, indicating relatively recent exposure while motivations for CSA adoption were improved yield (58.7%), followed by reduced cost (27.5%) and improved soil fertility (13.8%). The challenges to CSA adoption were a lack of technical knowledge (55.1%) and limited access to credit (27.5%) as dominant constraints. However, education (p=0.045, r=0.654) and sex (p=0.036, r=0.560) were significantly related to adoption of CSA practices. Similarly, social media (p=0.007, r=0.429) had a strong, positive relationship with utilization of CSA practices, while Radio/TV (p=0.062, r=0.401), though not too significant, but the positive value, indicates their importance. Therefore, CSA practices and interventions should be holistic to transform agricultural development.

Urban agriculture has become increasingly significant in African cities as a strategy for food security, income generation, and sustainable urban development. This study employed geospatial techniques, anchored in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), to map and analyze market gardening activities and land use changes in Jos South Metropolis, Nigeria, over a ten-year period (2014–2024). The research addresses critical knowledge gaps regarding the spatio-temporal dynamics and sustainability challenges of urban agriculture in Jos Metropolis, where comprehensive data on arable farming activities had been lacking despite extensive crop cultivation. High-resolution satellite imagery with 15 cm spatial resolution was acquired from the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) for both time periods and processed using ArcGIS 10.8 software. Through systematic on-screen digitization, spatial analysis, and change-detection algorithms, the study quantified changes in agricultural land use, settlements, and water bodies. Extensive fieldwork involved systematic reconnaissance of Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) to identify active market gardening sites, establish ground control points, and conduct interviews with local farmers and agricultural extension agents. Results revealed that market gardens covered 9.59 km² in 2014, declining to 9.03 km² in 2024, representing a 5.84% reduction. Conversely, settlements expanded dramatically from 43.82 km² to 79.32 km², a 34.76% increase, while water bodies decreased marginally from 4.57 km² to 4.46 km², highlighting increasing pressure on water resources driven by urbanization. The study identified key constraints to sustainable urban agriculture including land tenure insecurity, with 63% of dry-season farmers being landless; limited access to irrigation water; pest and disease pressure; inadequate fertilizer supply; and increasing competition for land from urban development. Field surveys documented diverse cropping systems, with farmers cultivating temperate vegetables such as tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, and Irish potatoes throughout the year using fadama lands along river channels and mine ponds. The intensive cropping systems documented included plots undergoing three cropping cycles per year, demonstrating both the productivity potential and sustainability challenges. The findings align with global evidence that urban agriculture persists in the face of urbanization, serving multiple livelihood, ecological, and social functions. The research demonstrates the capability of remote sensing and GIS in monitoring urban agricultural dynamics and provides baseline data for urban planning and agricultural policy formulation. The study recommends establishing agricultural zones in fadama areas, strengthening extension services, enacting secure land tenure policies, and fostering rural–urban production synergies to sustain this vital economic sector in the face of rapid urbanization.

Promoting pesticide reduction is a key step toward green vegetable production and ecological safety. Based on survey data collected from 356 leek growers in Weifang City—the largest facility-based vegetable production base in Shandong Province—this study empirically estimates the ecological compensation standard associated with pesticide-reduction behavior. The estimation employs a contingent valuation method (CVM) using non-parametric kernel density estimation for conditional value assessment, combined with the Heckman two-step model to address potential sample selection bias. The results show that 79.3% of respondents are willing to participate in an eco-compensation program for pesticide reduction; the main reason for refusal is “the higher reduction costs and lower profits”. The expected compensation level ranges from 614.94 to 620.57 yuan per mu (1 mu is approximately 0.165 acres) per year. Gender, share of Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum) income, trust in extension agents, and government penalties for excessive spraying significantly raise the required compensation, whereas age and knowledge of eco-compensation significantly lower it. Therefore, a sustainable compensation scheme co-driven by government and market should be established, combining cash, technical and in-kind support, and adopting tiered compensation schemes that reflect different reduction intensities.

The present study aimed to assess the knowledge and adoption level of banana growers in recommended banana cultivation practices in Tiruchirappalli district. Lalgudi, Anthanallur, Thottiyam, Manikandam blocks were purposively selected on the basis of maximum area under Banana cultivation. A sample size of 120 banana farmers was fixed for conducting this study. The data collection was done with the use of a well structured and pre tested interview schedule covering all the aspects of knowledge and adoption of recommended banana cultivation practices. The knowledge level of the respondents with recommended banana cultivation technologies was measured by designing exclusively the knowledge test and the adoption level was measured by developing the adoption index. The result revealed that majority of the respondents had medium to high level of knowledge (84.17%) and adoption (83.33%) on recommended banana cultivation technologies. About 16.67 per cent of the respondents had lower level of adoption. Hundred percent of the respondents having knowledge on Ploughing, propping and desuckering and adopting the same in banana cultivation. Around thirty percentage of the respondents only having knowledge on the technologies of precooling (16.67%), high density planting (18.33%), perianth removal (27.50%) and paired row system (29.17%) and they are not adopting these technologies in banana cultivation. More number of training and other extension programmes may be organized by the extension agencies to improve the knowledge and adoption level of banana growers on all the recommended banana cultivation practices for economic gain.

Transportation is a significant stressor for cattle, but research is lacking regarding preweaning dairy calf transport practices in the United States. Improving our understanding of calf transportation practices can inform management practices that minimize welfare challenges of transport. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe current industry practices regarding transportation of preweaning dairy and beef-on-dairy crossbred calves, (2) determine differences in pre-transport management on dairies between replacement heifers, beef-on-dairy crossbreds, and dairy bull calves, and (3) identify outreach and research needs to address calf welfare concerns related to transportation. Dairy producers, calf raisers, or other individuals receiving transported calves, and haulers were recruited through digital advertisement, email, and extension agents to complete an online survey in 2023. Survey topics for dairy producers included pre-transport practices (e.g., colostrum management, health evaluations, marketing), and topics for operations that received transported calves included calf condition at arrival, preweaning disease incidence, and preconditioning requirements. Haulers were asked questions related to their route demographics (e.g., travel distance, number of stops, destination). Wilcoxon signed rank, Kruskal-Wallis, or McNemar tests were conducted to determine differences in calf management practices; the predictor of interest was calf class (replacement heifer, beef-on-dairy, dairy bull), and outcomes of interest included age at transport, colostrum timing and quantity, feeding and preconditioning practices before transport, calf health characteristics pre- and post-transport, and transport distance and duration. A total of 123 responses were accepted for analysis (n = 69 dairy producers; 29 operations that received transported calves; 25 haulers). Replacement heifers were transported at older ages, compared with beef-on-dairy calves, but no difference in age was found between replacement heifers and bulls or beef-on-dairy and bulls. More dairy operations reported vaccinating replacement heifers versus nonreplacement calves. Operations that received transported calves reported considerable variability in preweaning morbidity and mortality rates. Stakeholder groups also highlighted the need for best practice recommendations related to transport and increased communication and collaboration between dairies and calf raisers. Although this study was limited by a small sample size, our findings provide a deeper understanding of transport practices in the United States, which can be used to inform research and outreach efforts to promote the health and welfare of dairy calves and support the longevity of the dairy industry.

The increasing complexity of extension services has intensified the need for continuous professional development among extension agents. Considering the significance of extension agents as critical intermediaries linking research institutions, government agencies, and rural communities makes improving professional competence in line with occupational demands of extension agents very imperative. With advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) transforming learning processes and professional development practices across various sectors, e-learning has emerged as a transformative tool for enhancing knowledge acquisition, professional development, and productivity of extension agents. Therefore, this paper, anchored on the Human Capital Theory, discussed the role of e-learning tools in enhancing productivity of extension agents in Nigeria. The paper examined the concepts of e-learning, explored the functions of extension agents, and analysed the potential of e-learning tools in strengthening professional competence of extension agents. The paper also identified challenges constraining the effective utilisation of e-learning platforms by extension agents in Nigeria. Such challenges include inadequate ICT infrastructure, poor internet connectivity, limited digital literacy, and insufficient institutional support mechanisms. The paper argued that integrating e-learning into extension training frameworks can significantly improve knowledge dissemination, professional capacity, and service delivery to communities. Hence, the paper recommended the need for adoption of blended learning approaches, institutional collaboration between extension organisations and educational institutions, and the development of specialised digital learning platforms tailored to extension work.

In spite of rural women having considerable indigenous knowledge for use in livestock production in Southwestern Nigeria, its utilization for small ruminant production has not gained the desired prominence. This paradox raises profound questions for research in rural sociology and agricultural development. Therefore, this study ascertained the determinants of rural women utilization of indigenous knowledge for small ruminant production in Southwestern Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 220 respondents. Using interview schedule, data were obtained on respondents’ demographic and small ruminant enterprise characteristics, sources of information on indigenous knowledge for small ruminant production, knowledge on indigenous practices for small ruminant production, constraints to utilization of indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production, and utilization of indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Pearson product moment correlation, and multiple regression at α0.05. The mean respondents’ age and household size were 51.0±17.0 years and 5.0±2.0 persons, respectively. Most were married, formally educated, engaged in crop farming as primary occupation and using personal labour. The average small ruminant rearing experience, number stocked/reared and monthly income were 18.0±11.0 years, 9.0±7.0 and ₦14,074.0± 17,150.0, respectively, with majority using extensive management system (57.3%). The indigenous knowledge information for small ruminant production was accessed mostly through family (x ̅=1.38) and 56.8% had high knowledge on indigenous practices for small ruminant production. Slow effectiveness of indigenous practices (x ̅=1.18) was the major constraint to utilization of indigenous knowledge for small ruminant production. Utilization of general management (53.6%), nutrition (65.9%) and health (57.3%) indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production were low. A little above half (52.3%) had low overall utilization of indigenous knowledge. Crop farming as primary occupation (χ2=30.7), rearing experience (r=0.34), numbers of small ruminant (r=0.19), extensive management system (χ2=8.57), personal labour source (χ2=7.03), income from small ruminant (r=0.14) and knowledge on indigenous practices (r=0.30) were significantly related to utilization of indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production. Determinants of utilization of indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production were age (β=0.04), household size (β=0.35), membership of small ruminant group (β=1.22), primary occupation (crop farming) (β = 1.40) and sources of information (β=0.67). Rural women in Southwestern Nigeria had low utilization of indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production, which was determined by age, household size, membership of small ruminant group, crop farming as primary occupation and sources of information. Therefore, extension agents should include indigenous knowledge practices education in information disseminated to rural women as well as encourage membership of small ruminant rearers group.

This study assessed farmers’ knowledge of forecast information in crop production, explored the relationship between knowledge and selected socioeconomic characteristics, and identified key constraints limiting its effective use. Eighty farmers from two villages were chosen at random in Raiganj upazila, Sirajganj district, Bangladesh, and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Farmers’ knowledge was measured across six cognitive levels following Bloom’s taxonomy, and data analysis was done through Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression. The results indicate that most farmers (78.8%) possessed a moderate level of knowledge, with 20.0\% demonstrating a high level of understanding. Among the eleven characteristics examined, age, education, farming experience, farm size, and credit received were positively correlated with knowledge, whereas media contact with extension and sources of forecast information showed negative relationships. Regression analysis indicated that education level, annual income, and forecast information sources accounted for 35.3% of the variance in knowledge. Over half (55%) of the farmers faced high constraints in using forecast information, while 45% faced them at a moderate level. The most critical barriers included lack of awareness of forecast information sources, poor access to forecast services for crop production, and insufficient advisory support from agricultural extension agents. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening farmers’ capacity to understand and apply forecast information by improving access and providing targeted training programs and extension services. Filling such these gaps can enable farmers to make well-informed decisions about their production, reduce risks associated with climatic variability, and ultimately improve agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in Bangladesh.

Aims: The study aimed to assess the socio-economic, psychological and communication profile characteristics of tribal farmers residing in the Kalrayan Hills of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, to generate baseline information for effective agricultural extension and tribal development interventions. Study Design: Descriptive research design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in selected tribal villages of the Kalrayan Hills, Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, during the year 2023–2024. Methodology: A multi-stage purposive sampling technique was employed for the selection of respondents. A total of 300 tribal farmers were selected from ten villages using proportionate random sampling. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a structured and pre-tested interview schedule administered in the local language (Tamil). Variables such as age, education, occupational status, annual income, landholding size, farming experience, social participation, extension contact, socio-economic status, cosmopoliteness, mass media exposure, information source utilization, fatalism and achievement motivation were studied. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Results: The results revealed that more than half of the respondents (52.33%) were middle-aged, and a majority (55.00%) were illiterate. Most respondents (90.67%) depended primarily on agriculture and allied activities, with 70.67% belonging to the low-income category. A large proportion were small farmers (69.33%) with high farming experience (55.33%) and belonged to joint families (78.00%). Low levels of social participation (85.67%), extension agency contact (66.33%), cosmopoliteness (59.33%) and information source utilization (55.67%) were observed among the respondents. While mass media exposure was predominantly medium (70.67%), psychological analysis showed high fatalism (70.67%) and low achievement motivation (74.67%) among the tribal farmers. Conclusion: The study concludes that tribal farmers of the Kalrayan Hills are characterised by low socio-economic status, limited institutional linkage and dominant traditional belief systems. Strengthening extension services, improving educational access, enhancing information dissemination and promoting motivational interventions are essential to improve their livelihood capabilities and facilitate sustainable agricultural development.

The use of herbicides for weed control is a common practice in rice farming. A variety of factors influences farmers’ decisions to use herbicides. This study aims to analyze the factors affecting farmers' decisions to use herbicides in Jelekong Village, Baleendah District, Bandung Regency. A quantitative research design was employed using a survey technique. The respondents consisted of 115 randomly selected rice farmers. Data were analysed using logistic regression and descriptively through the top two boxes analysis. The results indicate that cost efficiency is the primary factor influencing farmers' decisions to use herbicides. Other significant factors include ease of use, product effectiveness, and the size of the cultivated land. Another key finding is that informal social networks among farmers play a substantial role in the decision-making process, outweighing the influence of extension agents or promotional efforts from herbicide producers. These findings highlight the importance of community-based extension approaches and the need for integrated technology dissemination strategies that account for the social, economic, and informational dynamics experienced by farmers.