Mean Farming Experience Research Articles

THE ROLE OF WOMEN-IN-AGRICULTURE AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME AMONG IRISH POTATO FARMERS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

The study focused on the role of irish potato farmers of the women-in-agriculture and youth empowerment (waye) programme in Plateau State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select 256 respondents. Primary data were collected through the use of questionnaires and were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean farming experience was 10 and 16 years for participating and non-participating farmers while mean farm size for participating farmers and non- participating farmers was 1.4 and 0.5 ha. The result of the findings reveals that 55% and 47% of the participating farmers and non-participating farmers had secondary school education, which constituted the largest number of educational qualifications attained in the study area. Factors influencing the level of participation of irish potato farmers in (waye) programme in Plateau State are, marital status (3.72, P<0.01), sex (2.25, P<0.05), years of irish potatoes production (9.85, P<0.01), household size (10.92, P< 0.01), awareness of WAYEP (4.93, P<0.01), a unit increase in these factors will subsequently influence the level of participation of irish potato farmers in (WAYEP) programme. The mean crops output of WAYE programme participants (537,807.1kg) was significantly higher than non-participants (165,571.43kg). The difference in the mean crops output levels was largely attributed to participation in WAYE programme. The calculated Z-test value (14.74) for crops output and income (22.93) was significant at 1%. It was therefore recommended that WAYE programme be extended to other farming communities in Plateau State, so as to accelerate the poverty alleviation among women farmers in the State.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF WATERMELON PRODUCTION TO WELFARE STATUS OF RURAL FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the contributions of watermelon production to welfare status of rural farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 265 farming households across Ibarapa Areas of Oyo State. Data were collected on respondent’s socio-economic characteristics, production characteristics and contributions of watermelon production to welfare status. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentage and mean while inferential tools such as chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used for hypothesis testing at p≤0.05. Results indicate that majority (66.04%) of the respondents were married with mean age, household size, farming experience, farm size and income from watermelon production estimated at 44 years, 6 persons, 7.6 years, 6.2 hectares and ₦98,790.85, respectively. Respondents were strongly involved in land clearing (71.32%), planting operation (64.53%), watering (51.70%) and sorting of watermelon (50.19%). Benefits derived by respondents from watermelon production include additional income generation (82.64%), vitamin supplements (66.04%) among others. Contributions of watermelon production to welfare status as perceived by the respondents include expenditure of household items ( = 3.33), purchase of more farming inputs ( = 2.99) and acquisition of more farming tools ( = 2.95). Nearly half (47.55%) of the respondents perceived contributions of watermelon production to welfare status as high. Major constraints faced in watermelon production were high cost of input (1.73), inadequate capital (1.66) and poor seasonal rainfall (1.58). Significant relationship existed between perceived contributions of watermelon production to welfare status and benefit derived (r = 0.338) and level of involvement in watermelon production (r = 0.692). It was concluded from the study that watermelon contributes significantly to welfare status of the respondents in the study area. The study therefore recommends that farm input such as pesticides, fertilizers and planting materials should be made readily available at subsidized rate for watermelon farmers. This will improve their production and in the long run improves the welfare status of the farming households.

ADOPTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY AMONG SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined adoption of Information Communication Technology in Enhancing Food Security among Small-Scale Farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. The objectives were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics and Likert scale while hypothesis one and two were analyzed with multiple regression and Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) respectively. Sample size adopted through multi-stage random sampling was 88. The mean age, farming experience, farm size and household size were 43.05 years, 12.66 years, 3.79ha and 7 persons, respectively. Most (82.96%) of the farmers were aware of ICT use on farm production. The use of ICT was constraint by high cost of ICT tools, poor network coverage, lack of funds and poor infrastructure. Socio-economic characteristics of the farmers like gender (b = 3.081), age (b = -2.017), educational level (b = 2.315), farming experience (b = 3.001) and farm size (b = 0.986) played significant role in their perceived contribution of ICT to farmers production. Result also revealed that significant relationship exist between farmers with low and those with high level of ICT awareness in agricultural production. The study therefore recommended that government should make policies that should help to improve infrastructure that concerns roads, electricity supply and network coverage so that they can be encouraged to the use of ICT tools for improved agricultural production.

PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF DRY SEASON FLUTED PUMPKIN PRODUCTION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN OKIGWE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

The study analyzed the profitability of dry season fluted pumpkin production among smallholder farmers in Okigwe, Southeastern Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaire and interview schedule using simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result showed that the smallholder fluted pumpkin farmers in the area had mean age of 39 years and majority (61.7%) were female who were mostly (76.7%) married with household size of 5 persons. Majority (51.7%) had secondary education with mean farming experience of 5 years and mean farm size of 0.5417 hectare. Majority (66.7%) were none members of cooperative society and greater percentages (71.7%) have never had extension contact but their mean annual farm income was N73,550. Result further showed that, the total cost and total revenue of production were N163,005 and N338,340 respectively. Net return was N175,335, Benefit to cost ratio was 2.08 and return on investment was 1.08, with shepherd future of 48%. The sources of water for dry season production analyzed, showed that majority (55%) of the farmers use perennial stream, and wastewater (26.7%). Results also, revealed the constraints on profitable fluted pumpkin production in the area. These constraints were categorized into production, economic and managerial. The major production constraints were inadequate improved varieties of seeds (0.518), and poor feeder roads (0.581). Also the economic constraints were high cost of inputs (0.526), and inadequate credit facilities (0.5331). The major managerial constraints were inadequate extension contact (0.5885), poor market information (0.563), and Lack of irrigation facilities (0.518). However, dry season fluted pumpkin production in the area was profitable and recommended regular extension contacts, provision of irrigation facilities and good road network.

Profitability of Watermelon Production Diversification Strategy: Evidence from Smallholder Farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria

The profitability of a watermelon production diversification plan for smallholder farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria, was investigated in this study. During the 2021 farming season, data for the study was collected from 355 randomly selected farms. Descriptive statistics and a farm budgeting approach were utilized to assess the data. The mean age of respondents was 42.3 years, 85.1% of them were married with an average household of six people. The majority (77.5%) of the respondents were educated with a mean farming experience of 8.6 years. On average, the respondents cultivate 4.2 hectares of land. The budgeting technique showed that a mixture of melon and cowpea has the highest average net farm income, followed by a mixture of melon and Bambara-nut while a mixture of melon and groundnut has the least average net farm income per hectare. The estimated gross margin and net farm income for all the enterprises stood at N 143618.11 and N 135051.13 respectively. The return on the owner's labour and management for all the enterprises is N 87801.13 and the return on investment is 127.58%. This demonstrates that the watermelon crop diversification strategies in the research area are profitable. A melon and cowpea combination was discovered to be more profitable than other firms. Because of this, it is suggested that a large amount of land be set aside for growing this crop.

Drivers and barriers of women participation in agricultural activities in Nigeria

The study examined the drivers of women participation in agricultural activities in Nigeria. A total of 636 women farmers were used for the study and data were collected through interview and questionnaire process. Descriptive statistics, Participation index and Ordered Logit regression were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that the mean age, household size, farming experience and farm size were 44 years, 8 members, 18 years and 3.1 ha respectively. The result also revealed that women farmers in Nigeria engaged themselves in agricultural activities such as crop farming, livestock farming, agricultural trading, poultry farming, horticultural farming and aquaculture farming. Result of the participation index revealed that women farmers were actively involved in agriculture with 49.06 % of the women with high level of participation. The regression analysis revealed that the positive drivers of women participation in agricultural activities were household size, marital status, level of education, farming experience, disposable income, extension service and membership of association. In the contrary, distance to farm is a negative driver of women participation in agricultural activities in the study area. In addition, inadequate financial opportunities and inadequate access to extension services were among the serious constraints that hindered women participation in agricultural activities.

Determinants of agricultural insurance patronage among crop farmers in Delta north agricultural zone, Delta State, Nigeria

Objective: The objective of this paper was to identify the determinants of patronage of agricultural insurance in Delta north agricultural zone, Delta State Nigeria. Material and Methods: A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents. Data were obtained through questionnaire administration. Descriptive statistics, logit model, and t-test were employed in the study. Results: The findings showed that the mean age was 48 years with 59.2% of female farmers. About 60% of them had secondary education with a mean farm size of 2.10 ha. The mean farming experience was 11 years with 75% of the farmers not belonging to a cooperative society with a mean income of N80, 278.33. The major risks were pests, high temperature, variation in yield, flood and the least were a fire outbreak. Only 39.2% of the farmers are aware of agricultural insurance. The logit model showed that the age of farmers, educational level, premium rate, farm size, accessibility to credit, gender, awareness, and land tenure influenced farmers' decision to patronize agricultural insurance. Conclusion: This study examines insurance patronage by highlighting the interaction between the socioeconomic factors of farmers and the decision to patronize insurance. As far as this study is concerned, the identified factors will significantly improve patronage and increase productivity.

Agricultural productivity and access to market among farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Agricultural productivity and the performance of smallholder agriculture in developing countries have been noted to be affected by access to markets. This study examined the access of smallholder farmers to input and output markets and the factors that affect agricultural productivity. A total of 336 smallholder farmers were selected in Ekiti State through multi-stage sampling technique. Data were obtained through the administration of structured questionnaire while descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Square regression were used to analyze the data. The smallholder farms in the study area were characterized by non-uniform fragmented plots.Average age of the farmers was 48.12 years with mean farming experience of 24.97 years. Using proxies which include distance to physical markets and good roads, results of analysis showed that poor market access had significant (p = 5%) negative influence on agricultural productivity (t = –2.0). Access to infrastructure particularly good rural roads also had significant effect on agricultural productivity. Other factors such as farmers’ formal education (t = 4.50), farming experience (t = 3.39) and commercialization level (t = 1.86) also significantly affect farmers’ agricultural productivity. For the enhancement of access to markets and agricultural productivity, it was recommended that rural infrastructure such as good roads be put in place by appropriate agencies.

Technical efficiency and profitability of small holder natural rubber production in southern Nigeria

The study measured the technical efficiency and profitability of small holder natural rubber production in southern Nigeria by examining the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, the profitability of latex production and technical efficiency. Multi-stage, purposive and random sampling techniques were employed in the collection of primary data from 300 respondents. Descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier production function were used to analyse the data collected. Results indicated that respondents were educated, married (76%) with a mean family size of seven people and well experienced mean farming experience of 19 years. Latex production was a profitable venture with an average variable cost per ha of 55,700.94 with total revenue (T.R.) and gross margin (G.M.) per hectare 163,594.17 and 107,893.23, respectively. Furthermore, the stochastic frontier production function analysis showed the number of trees per task, labour, farm size and age of plantation, clone, wage and fixed cost items were significantly related to rubber latex. The mean technical efficiency (T.E.) of the respondents was 0.84. Education, extension contact and experience were the significant factors that increased the technical efficiency of the respondents. The resuscitation of extension activities of A.D.P.s in the rubber growing states of the country through adequate funding by the government to improve the efficiencies of farmers, use of improved planting materials during replanting old plantations and the formation of cooperative societies by farmers to enhance access to production credit amongst others are recommended in the study.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Adoption of Improved Sesame Production Practices in Peri Urban Districts of Jigawa State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to evaluate the awareness and use of improved sesame production practices in Peri-urban areas of Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select the respondents for the study from five districts that make up peri-urban areas of Dutse. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires administered to 165 respondents out of which only 159 were found to be useful. Data collected were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means and ranking. Finding from the study revealed that the means of age was 38.7 years. All were male, 85% were married and 76.7% had formal education. The mean household size was 10 persons whereas the mean farm size and mean farming experience was 2.2 hectares and 14 years, respectively. About 59% do not belong to any association. The result of Logit regression analysis indicated that out of the twelve variables modelled and regressed as explanatory variables, only three were found to have significantly influenced the adoption of improved sesame production practices of the farmers. These are level of education (0.062), farm size (0.091) and access to credit (0.031). The main problems encountered by the respondents were lack of processing machines (71.7%), poor capital base (58.5%) and non-availability of loans to farmers (57.9%). The study recommended the formation of associations that could lead to taking advantage of such associations in aiding increased funding by governmental or non-governmental lending agencies and other financial institutions which could alleviate these major problems bedevilling sesame production in the study area.

CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS OF FARMERS ON POST HARVEST STORAGE OF TOMATO IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the information needs of farmers on post-harvest storage of tomato in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and 120 tomato farmers were interviewed for the purpose of eliciting information through a 4-stage sampling procedure. Majority (75.0%) of the respondents were males (90.0%), married (89.2%), Muslims (95.9%) with Islamic education (50.0%). The respondents’ average (x ): household size is 9 persons, farm size of 1.6ha, monthly income of N30,916.67 and age of 41.6 years. Primary occupation of the majority is farming (96.7%) with mean farming experience of 13 years. Main source of labor is family labor (86.7%). Greater proportions source their funds through personal savings (77.5%). Land ownership is through inheritance (66.7%) and no extension service involvement (97.5%). The most needed information on post-harvest storage is lack of current information, techniques for record keeping and sustainable market (100.0%, x = 3.50), respectively. They were only aware of post-harvest storage like basket cooling (91.7%), sorting and grading (80.8%) and refrigeration storage (59.2%) among others while severe constraints were: lack of capital for post-harvest activities, government policy and infrastructure (99.2%, x = 3.78). The result of the Pearson Correlation showed positive relationship with educational level, household size, average monthly income and farming experience. The research recommended the recruitment of more competent extension officers for more farmers’ contact, structured and focused government policies on tomato post-harvest practices and periodic training of farmers.

Poverty status of arable farm households in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

The study assessed the poverty status of arable farm households in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State. Ninety (90) respondents were randomly selected using the multistage sampling technique while data was collected using structured questionnaire. The data generated from the survey were analysed using descriptive statistics, poverty measures and a logistic regression model. The descriptive analysis shows that majority of the rural households were headed by males (76.67%), most of them (82.22%) were married and had a mean age of 54.5 years with 84.45% of them having a formal education. The mean household size of about 7 persons was obtained with a mean farm size of 6.66 hectares in the study area. The mean farming experience was 13.63 years, and the majority (86.67%) of the respondents did not receive any credit for their farming activities at a time or the other. The poverty status indicated that 54.44% of the respondents are poor while 45.56% are non-poor. The result of the factors influencing the poverty status using logistic regression analysis reveals that being married (p<0.05) and household size (p<0.1) were positive and significant predictors of the probability of being poor while access to credit (p<0.1) and per capita income (p<0.01) were negative and significant predictors of the probability of being poor. The study, therefore, recommended thatquality credit accessibility and participation in skills acquisition programmes through diversification should be encouraged due to their capability of improving the household income of the poor.

Economic analysis of snail production and its contribution to food security of farming households in Nigeria

Abstract The numerous resources in snail production have largely remained untapped in developing countries despite the increasing awareness of the many benefits and potentials embedded therein. This study was done to analyze the economics of snail production and to estimate its contribution to the food security of farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire that was administered to the snail farmers. Based on the discovery of this work, the result shows that 39.2 % of the sampled farmers were within the active age bracket (41–50 years). 92.5 % of the farmers were males indicating men were actively involved. The majority of the farmers were literate with (83.3 %) having tertiary education. The mean farming experience was about 7 years with most of the farmers (47.5 %) having experience of 5–8 years. Most (86.7 %) of the respondents were married. The majority (40 %) engage in farming as an occupation primarily. The result showed that the returns to snail production were high (net profit ₦317.88/0.75 USD per jumbo-size snail). Every naira investment generated about ₦1.96/0.0046 USD. This demonstrated a high economic return of the snail farming business for boosting the revenue of the farming household. It was revealed that the cost of breeding stock, stocking density, and labour cost had a significant effect on revenue generated from snail production. Snail production was also not seen to have a significant contribution to the food security of farming households in the study area. The result further showed that the major constraints faced by snail farmers in the study area include lack of financial capacity for business expansion, unavailability of collaterals for loan acquisition to aid farm activities, and lack of inadequate extension visits among others. Hence, the study emphasizes the need for the government to invest heavily in snail production and encourage people to venture into snail farming business.

Understanding the Determinant of Income from Catfish Production in Imo State, Nigeria

Fish production is significant to Nigeria’s aggregate economy. In Imo State in particular, it contributes to employment and income generation; food security; foreign exchange earnings and bridging protein demand-supply gap. Despite all these, empirical studies that logically, explain the determinant of income from catfish production are still relatively scanty. These creates a vacuum in research and knowledge thereby make it extremely difficult if not impossible for the government and other relevant stakeholders to know the method they can use in helping farmers realize huge income from catfish production as well as prospective farmers to venture into catfish farming. It was on this backdrop that the study was systematically undertaken in the area. Data were elicited from 90 catfish farmers’ selected using multistage and purposive sampling procedure across Imo State, Nigeria. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical tool, gross income and multiple regression analysis. Result show that the mean age was 45.00 years. Greater proportions (71.11%) were male. Majority (78.88%) were married with an average household size of 7 persons. The mean educational level and farming experience were 12 and 15.00 years respectively. Reasonable proportions (68.89%) have no access to credit. Average annual farm income was ₦650,000.00 ($1,570.64). Majority (45.56%) used concrete pond while approximately 47.78% of the farmers sourced their fingerling from commercials fish hatchery. Net farm income and return per capita invested were ₦3,050,714.69 ($7,371.65) and N 15.41k respectively. The profitability index was N 15.30, which implies that for every naira earned as revenue from the catfish farming, about 15.30kobo returned to farmer as net farm income. Estimated regression results shows that pond size (X 1 ); cost of fish feed (X 2 ); cost of labour (X 3 ); stocking rate (X 6 ); Educational Level (X 9 ); Farm Income (X 10 ) and Farming Experience (X 11 ) were the major determinant of income in catfish production. Findings provided evidence that catfish production is efficient and lucrative in the area. However, approximately 97.78% of the farmers complained of inadequate production capital. It was therefore recommended that farmers particularly on their own should judiciously pool productive resources together through strengthened and stable cooperative society group as this would enhance their profitability in catfish production in the area. Moreover, effective agricultural policies and programmes should focus on granting fish farmers improved access to farm credit as these would enable them increase their production frontier and realize huge profit overtime in the area. Keywords: Catfish; Income, Profitability, Management System, Imo State, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-1-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

UNDERSTANDING THE DETERMINANT OF INCOME FROM CATFISH PRODUCTION IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Fish production is significant to Nigeria’s aggregate economy. In Imo State in particular, it contributes to employment, income generation and bridging protein demand-supply gap. Despite all these, empirical studies that logically explain the determinant of income from catfish production are still relatively scanty. These creates a vacuum in research and knowledge there by making it extremely difficult if not impossible for the government and other relevant stakeholders to know the method they can use in helping farmers realize huge income from catfish production as well as prospective farmers to venture into catfish farming. It was against this backdrop that the study was systematically undertaken. Data were elicited from 90 catfish farmers’ selected using multistage and purposive sampling procedure across Imo State, Nigeria. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical tool, gross income and multiple regression analysis. Result show that the mean age was 45.00 years. Greater proportions (71.11%) were male. Majority (78.88%) were married with an average household size of 7 persons. The mean educational level and farming experience were 12 and 15.00 years respectively. Reasonable proportions (68.89%) have no access to credit. Average annual farm income was ?650,000.00 ($1,570.64). Majority (45.56%) used concrete pond while approximately 47.78% of the farmers sourced their fingerling from commercials fish hatchery. Net farm income and return per capita invested were ?3,050,714.69 ($7,371.65) and N15.41k respectively. The profitability index was N15.30, which implies that for every naira earned as revenue from the catfish farming, about 15.30kobo returned to farmer as net farm income. Estimated regression results shows that pond size (X1); cost of fish feed (X2); cost of labour (X3); stocking rate (X6); Educational Level (X9); Farm Income (X10) and Catfish Experience (X11) were the major determinant of income in catfish production. Findings provided evidence that catfish production is efficient and lucrative in the area. However, approximately 97.78% and 94.44% of the farmers complained of inadequate production capital and high cost of feed. It was therefore recommended that farmers particularly on their own should judiciously pool productive resources together through strengthened cooperative society group as this would enhance bulk purchase/buying of catfish production input in the area. Moreover, effective agricultural policies and programmes should focus on granting catfish farmers improved access to farm credit as these would enable them increase their production frontier and realize huge profit overtime in the area.

Smallholder Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Insurance Schemes: An Analysis of the Inhibitors in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study examined the constraints of access to the use of agricultural insurance schemes (AIS) by small-scale farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. Sustainable agricultural enterprise in most developing countries like Nigeria can be achieved through adequate financing especially in the area of agricultural insurance. Despite the existence of insurance services by the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation and other private firms in Nigeria, there has been a low level of participation of farmers buying insurance premium; thus, there is a need to examine the hindrances in accessing the scheme. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economics characteristic of small- scale farmers, examine the types of agricultural insurance and evaluate the constraints in accessing AIS in the study area. Primary data were collected from 150 farmers with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that farmers in the study area were dominated by the married (68%), literates (81.33) and males (73.33%) with the mean age and farming experience of 47 and 19 years respectively. Crop insurance (56%) and farm implement insurance (46%) were the major types of agricultural insurance used by the farmers. Rigorous procedures in claim settlement (3.266), poor government attention (3.106) poor repayment (3.080) and non-coverage of all the crops (3.093) were among the major challenges in accessing AIS) in the study area. The study recommended that the government through the ministry of Agriculture or Bank of Agriculture should eliminate the bureaucratic processes and bottlenecks encountered by the farmers in accessing AIS.

Dairy Sheep and Goat Farmers: Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Their Associations with Health Management and Performance on Farms

The objectives were to determine the socio-demographic profiles of small ruminant dairy farmers and to study associations with management practices, production outcomes and health parameters on their farms. In total, 325 sheep flocks and 119 goat herds across Greece were included in the study and visited for collection of information. Socio-demographic characteristics of the dairy farmers and details of management practices, production outcomes and health parameters on their farms were recorded. For the analysis of results, multivariable models were created using mixed-effects logistic regression, with farms as the random effect. Most dairy farmers were male (93.2%), most were full-time professionals in farming (89.4%) and most had a farming family tradition (86.9%). The mean age was 47.0 years and the mean farming experience was 24.3 years. For 17.3% of the farmers, the highest level of education received was primary education, for 54.3% it was secondary education, for 16.4% it was post-secondary vocational training and for 12.0% it was tertiary education. In 35.4% of dairy farms, external farm workers were employed. Of the socio-demographic characteristics, farming experience was associated with geographical location of farms, management system, breed of animals, application of quarantine measures, laboratory evaluation of feedstuffs, ultrasonographic examination for pregnancy diagnosis, application of vaccination against clostridial infections, means of calculation of bodyweight for drug administration to animals, maintenance of colostrum bank, number of annual veterinary visits, annual milk production per animal, number of newborns and somatic cell counts and total bacterial counts in milk. Further, the employment of external farm workers on the farm was associated with management system, machine-milking, number and breed of animals, application of quarantine measures, laboratory evaluation of feedstuffs, ultrasonographic examination for pregnancy diagnosis, number of annual veterinary visits, annual milk production per animal, protein content in milk and number of newborns. The findings indicate that dairy sheep/goat farming is still a family-driven business, but, nevertheless, there are now younger people among these farmers, many of them with post-secondary education. Socio-demographic characteristics may influence the management practices applied, which in turn can have consequences for production and health results of the farms.

ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ INFORMATION SOURCES UNDER SHELTERBELT PROJECTS IN THE FRONTLINE STATES OF NORTH WESTERN NIGERIA

The study analyzed farmers’ information sources under shelterbelt projects in the frontline States of North Western Nigeria. The respondents used were 450. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Mean age of the respondents was 35 years; mean household size was 12 persons; mean farming experience was 12 years; and mean farm size was 6 hectares. About 67% of the respondents were married. Their sources of agricultural information of 29.1% was extension agents, radio accounted for 27.8%, family member (13.3%) and non-governmental organizations/community-based organizations (NGOs/CBOs) occupy 6.7%, print publications (4.4%) and internet (3.1%). Also, extension contact (30.0%), extension agents (25.5%) visited for two times, 18.9% were visited three (3) times, 11.1% were visited four (4) times annually, 7.8% were visited for five (5) times, and 6.7% were visited more than five (5) times annually. The results revealed that 61.1% listened to agricultural program through radio regularly. Majority (72.2%) watched/listened to agricultural program through television once in a week, 18.9% watched/listened twice a week and; 2.2% of the respondents were regular and 6.7% were irregular. Most (40.0%) preferred to radio program as their means of communication. Group meeting (extension agents/farmers) was only 5.1%, agriculture shows/field visit/tours occupy (11.1%) and extension agents interpersonal visit (8.9%), television (7.1%), newspaper and magazine (4.4%); and journals/conference proceedings and the internet services was 2.2%, respectively. The recommended conversion of the shelterbelts to recreational parks and tourism; reducing criminal activities like Indian hemp smoking, theft and kidnapping in the belt; and also, local communities should be allowed to participate in the management and sharing of revenue from the shelterbelts.

Costs and Returns Analysis of Rice (Oryza Sativa) Production Under Rainy Season in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

This study examined the costs and returns of rainy season rice production in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna state. Two stage sampling procedure was employed to select forty-eight respondents (48) respondents for the study. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire with the help of well-trained enumerators. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Gross margin analysis and profitability ratios. Results revealed that the respondents were predominantly male (60.4%) and most (52.1%) were married. 25% had primary education,45.8% secondary education, and 12.5% tertiary education. The mean age for the households’ head was 33 years and the mean household size was 7 persons per household. The mean farming experience and annual farm income of the respondents were 17 years and ₦32,238 respectively. The average variable cost incurred per hectare was estimated to be N122,988 while the total cost of production was put at N 139,309. Gross revenue of N 257,000 was generated with a gross margin of N 134,012 and a net farm income of N 117,691. The profitability ratios of BCR=1.84, ESR=0.13, ROR=0.84, and GR=0.5, indicated that rainy season rice farming is highly profitable in the study area. The study therefore recommended that consistent government policies that would favor increase in paddy production, market information, extension service delivery, input subsidization and credit facilities be implemented.

ACCESS AND USE OF PRINT MEDIA IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AMONG RURAL FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Objectives: of the study analyzed the use and effectiveness of print media in technology transfer among rural farm households in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to; describe the socio-economic profile of the respondent; ascertain the access to print media by rural farm households; determine the frequency of print media in technology transfer in the study area; examine the perceived effectiveness of print media technology transferred; Identify the constraints affecting the use of print media in the transfer of agricultural technologies in Imo State, and determine the factors influencing the use of print media in technology transfer among rural households in Imo State. Methodology: Multi-stage and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 126 farm households for the study. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the ordinary least square multiple regression model. Result and Discussion: Result revealed that 48.4% and 51.9% of the farmers were males and females respectively, with a mean age of 43 years, mean household size of 5 persons, mean farming experience of 29 years, mean education of 14 years, mean annual income ofN31,573.8 and majority (81.7%) were married. A majority (x̅ =2.92%) had highest access to posters and flyers (87.3%). The highest frequently used print media was flyers (x̅ = 2.9). Result also showed that the use of print media in technology transfer among rural farmers was effective although all (100%) the respondents were not giving the opportunity to ask questions. the coefficient of age, cost, farming experience, farm size household size, frequency of extension contact and access to print media significantly influenced the use of print media in technology transfer. Time-consuming (x̅ = 2.8), high cost (x̅ = 2.6), limited space (x̅ = 2.6), inaccessible roads, (x̅ = 2.3) political censor (2.6) and no interaction (x̅ = 2.5) were serious constraints to the use of print media in technology transfer. Conclusion: The study concluded that the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers influenced the use of print media in technology transfer that could improve their farm activities.