State Agricultural Development Project Research Articles

Training Needs of Rural Women in Agriculture for Increased Crop Production in Ebonyi State

The study focused on the Training needs of Rural Women in Agriculture for increased Crop Production in Ebonyi State. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. Survey research design was adopted. The population for the study was 240 which comprised 150 registered female farmers and 90 extension agents in the three Agricultural Zones in the State. There was no sampling due to the manageable size of the population. Structured questionnaire containing a total of 21 items was the instrument for data collection. The questionnaire was validated by three experts, two in Agricultural Education and one in Measurement and Evaluation all in Faculty of Education Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient method. A correlation of 0.76 was obtained. A total of 240 copies of the questionnaire were distributed by the researcher and three research assistants. All the 240 copies of the questionnaire distributed were properly filled and used for data analysis. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data collected while t- test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance at the appropriate degree of freedom. Findings among others was that women have difficulties in accessing farmland, improved seeds, chemicals for weed, pests and diseases control, Low level of basic education, lack of female extension agents to train them and it was recommended among others that land allocation should be reviewed to enable women have land for farming. They should be an organized training programme for women farmers by Ebonyi State Agricultural Development project.

Evaluation of Aquaculture Extension Service in Rivers State, Nigeria

The study examined aquaculture extension services in Rivers State, Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 50 fish farmers, and primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Simple statistical techniques such as frequency distribution and percentage were used to analyse the data. This survey revealed that most (70.7%) of the respondents were aware of extension services, while remaining 29.3% of the respondents were not aware of any extension services. The majority (43.9%) of respondents reported that the source of extension services was the Rivers State Agricultural Development Project. The rating of extension services in the state was little encouraging, as more than 56.1% of the respondents rated their services as very helpful, while 26.8% of them rated their services as not helpful. On the aspect of regularity of extension agents to fish farmers, only 24.4% of the farmers reported that the extension agents visited them occasionally; about 48.8% of the fish farmers revealed that extension agents were visited rarely, while 19.5% of the respondents had no access to extension services. On the mode of contact with extension agents, about 87.8% of the respondents preferred a short leadership training program, while only 12.2% of respondents found individual contact to be the most effective. Further results reveal that education and experience in fish farming have a significant relationship with the effectiveness of extension. There was no significant association between sex (X2 =21.272, p = 0.052) and marital status (X2 =29.216, p =0.000). The results revealed that the extension agents should intensify their efforts in reaching farmers and passing useful information to them to increase farmers' profitability.

Assessment of multidimensional poverty in Zone A agricultural development project area of Kogi State, Nigeria

Poverty has remained a multidimensional problem, yet it has traditionally been measured in empirical studies with income. This often times fail to account for other dimensions of deprivations experienced by rural dwellers. This study assessed Multidimensional poverty in Zone A area of Kogi State Agricultural Development Project, Nigeria. The data for the study were drawn from household survey conducted in 2019/2020 farming season through the use of structured questionnaire. A multi-staged random sampling technique was used to draw the sample. A total sample of 120 respondents was used. The study utilized both descriptive and inferential statistics which include the use of frequency, percentages, FGT methodologies to assess the extent of multidimensional poverty and regression analyses to assess the determinants of multidimensional poverty in the study area. The result of the study showed that 84.16% of the sampled households were non-poor while 15.84% were poor. The result of the study also reveals that the intensity of poverty (A) was 0.366 and the multidimensional poverty index was 0.058 while Sanitation, Education and Household assets contributed most to the incidence and severity of multidimensional poverty among the households respectively. The major determinants of multidimensional poverty across the various constructs of deprivation include Age, household size, membership of cooperative/association and farming experience. The study concluded that poverty alleviation efforts should go beyond using income approach alone, rather other dimensions of deprivations should be given attention. The study recommends that socioeconomic factors should be considered in the design and implementations of poverty programs.

Adoption of improved goat production practices in Ogun State, Nigeria

The study examines adoption level of improved goat production practices by women farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria using Ikenne and Ijebu-Ode zones of the Ogun State Agricultural Development Project (OGADEP) as case studies. A total of 150 respondents were selected for the study using multi-stage random sampling technique. Information was obtained from the women through structured interview schedule. Data were analyzed with the use of frequency counts and percentages while correlation coefficient (r) was used to test the stated hypothesis. Results of data analysis revealed that most of the women were still in active ages of between 40 and 59 years (62%) with 91% of them married and majority (71%) educated. While 6 percent of the women did not adopt improved practices, 40.67% showed low adoption; 33.33% - moderate adoption level and 20% demonstrated high adoption level. Result of hypothesis testing indicated significant relationship between level of adoption and marital status (r = 10.21) and cosmopoliteness(r = 0.30) at 0.05 level of significance and critical level of 0.19.

Economic Analysis of Grasscutter Production (Thryonomys swinderianus) in Osun State, Nigeria: A Case of Data Envelopment Approach

Aim: The study estimated the technical, allocative and economic efficiency indices and further examined the factors influencing technical efficiency for the sampled Grasscutter farms in Osun State.
 Study Design: The study made use of only primary data obtained from sampled Grasscutter farmers in the three agricultural zones of the State.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Osun State, Nigeria during 2017/2018 farming season.
 Methodology: Twenty four respondents, each, were randomly selected from the list of Grasscutter farmers obtained from Osun State Agricultural Development Project (ADP). Data collected was analyzed using the stochastic frontier model and Tobit regression model. The overall technical efficiency was estimated with no effort of decomposing it into pure and scale efficiencies.
 Results: The results showed that the range of efficiency indices varies greatly with minimum of 0.742, 0.263 and 0.168 and maximum of 1.0 for technical, allocative and economic efficiencies, respectively. The mean efficiencies which indicate the average potential therein in Grasscutter production in the study area were 0.96, 0.63 and 0.83 for technical, allocative and economic efficiency, respectively. Only one, out of the seventy two grasscutter farmers involved in the analysis was found to be technically, allocatively and economically efficient. Many sampled grasscutter farmers employed the ‘wrong’ input mix, given input prices, so that, on average, costs were (37%) higher than the cost minimizing level. However, farms have the potential to reduce their physical input, on average, by (4%) and still produce the same level of output.
 Conclusion: There was a great potential to improve the output of grasscutter farms and save cost, if variable inputs were adjusted to the optimal level along the short-run isoquant. Education and farming experience significantly influenced technical, allocative and economic efficiencies, respectively, while inefficiency results, in large part, from allocative rather than technical inefficiency.

Impact of changes in climatic elements on crop yield in Kwara State: A comparative analysis between grains and root tubers

This study presents a comparative analysis on the effects of climatic variations on crop yield in Kwara State using grains and root tubers. Annual climatic and crop yield data for a period of twenty years (1998-2017) were collected from Kwara State Agricultural Development Project. Climatic data obtained includes rainfall, number of rainy days, relative humidity, maximum and minimum temperature. Grain crops and root tubers’ data include maize, sorghum, rice, millet, cowpea, soya beans and cassava, yam, sweet potato respectively. These were however subjected to trend, correlation and multiple regression analyses. The results obtained revealed that changes in climatic elements have impact on both grains and root tubers’ yield although low but in combination with other factors such as edaphic, farm techniques and seed varieties among others. The regression result revealed that the variance in maize, sorghum, rice, millet, cowpea and soya beans respectively be explained by the climatic elements under study. Similarly, of the variance in cassava, yam, and sweet potato respectively can also be explained by the climatic elements under study. Hence, there is no significant difference in impacts of changes in climatic elements between grains and root tuber. Therefore, it can be concluded that the changes in climatic elements can be seen as part of the factors responsible for low agricultural yield and production in the state and country at large. Policies that will improve the status of agricultural yield and production should therefore, be embarked upon. Keywords : agricultural yield, climate, crops, elements, grains, root tubers

Socio-economic analysis of citizens’ participation in forest conservation in Ikom Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria

The general objective of this study was to assess the relationship between some socio-economic variables of the citizens and participation in forest conservation in Ikom zone of the Cross River State Agricultural Development Project, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to describe some of the socio-economic variables of the people, ascertain the relationship between some socio-economic variables and their participation in forest conservation and to assess the level of participation of male and female citizens in forest conservation. Also, one research hypothesis was developed to test the level of participation of male and female citizens in forest conservation activities. A total of three hundred (300) respondents were randomly selected from three (3) local government areas (Boki, Ikom and Etung). Data were obtained with the aid of a validated questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using frequency count, percentages, chi-square and probit regression analysis. The result of the analysis revealed that a substantial proportion of the respondents were youth within the age range of 30-35 years and also educated, majority of the respondents had large family sizes (10-14 persons). Also, low income of 20,000 – 60,000 characterizes the status of most respondents with farming as their main occupation. It was also revealed that there is a significant variation between female and male level of participation in forest conservation, as men are more disposed to participate. The study therefore recommended that women should be trained to acquire necessary skills and credit facilities should be provided to citizens to motivate them to conserve the forest and its resources.Keywords: Citizens’ participation and forest conservation

English

Climate change influences crop yield vis-a-vis crop production to a greater extent in countries like Nigeria where agriculture depends largely on natural circumstances. This study assesses the effect of observed climatic variables (rainfall, temperature and relative humidity) on yield of major crops which are divided into two groups, tuber crops (cassava and yam) and fruits (pepper and tomatoes) in Ondo State Nigeria. Crop yield and climatic data were obtained from Ondo State Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Ondo State for a period of nineteen years (1996 - 2014). These data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 and Microsoft Excel in order to evaluate the effect of climate on the yield on reference crops in Ondo State, Nigeria. Multiple regression, trend analysis, and ANOVA techniques were used to analyze the data. The study showed that the rainfall range for the nineteen years was 1013.08 mm; temperature range was 5.14°C and relative humidity range was 11.55%. Variations in rainfall, temperature and relative humidity were found to have effects on cassava, yam, pepper and tomatoes yield by 20.7, 18.6, 26.8 and 15.5%, respectively. It was then recommended among other things that the extension agents should work with the Nigeria meteorological agency to advice farmers in the State in order to use cropping calendar in accordance with the weather forecast since temperature, rainfall and relative humidity had little effect on cassava, yam, pepper and tomatoes yield in Ondo State. Key words: Climate, rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, Ondo State.

Assessment of Decline in Melon Yield and its Contribution to Young Farmers’ Diversification into Watermelon Farming in Oyo State, Nigeria

Melon is a popular economic cucurbit in Southwest, Nigeria. In recent time, many young farmers are shifting from melon to watermelon farming due to poor yield and low monetary returns. Hence, this study was carried out to assess decline in melon yield and its contribution to young farmers’ diversification into watermelon farming in Oyo state, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 75 respondents from five villages in Ibarapa block of the Oyo State Agricultural Development Project (ADP). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Results show that majority of the respondents (77.3%) were between 31-40 years of age and 46.70% had secondary school education. Most of the respondents (80%) cultivated more than 3 ha of land for watermelon. Majority of the respondents (74.7%) intercropped melon with other crops while watermelon was cultivated as a sole crop. None of the respondents either grew improved melon seeds (certified seeds) or applied fertilizers but all respondents cultivated treated watermelon seeds, applied fertilizers and agro-chemicals. The average yields of melon fell from 376.53kg/ha in 2009 to 280.70kg/ha in 2011. However, the respondents were shifting into watermelon production because of available quality seeds and its early maturity, easy harvest and high sales. There was a significant relationship between melon output and young farmers’ diversification to watermelon in the study area at p < 0.05. The study concluded that decline in the melon yield discouraged youth to continue melon farming in the study area. It is hereby recommended that certified melon seeds should be made available while extension service providers should provide training support for the young farmers in order to reposition and boost melon production in the study area.

Climate Change and Rice Production: A Case Study in Ekiti State, Niger

The paper explores the climate effect of rice produce in Ekiti State Nigeria. Climate data was obtained from the archive of the Nigerian Meteorological Station, Oshodi, Nigeria. The Rice data was obtained from Ekiti State Agricultural Development Project (A.D.P) The climatic parameters are rainfall amount, rainfall frequency, maximum and minimum temperature while rice yield data include land devoted to rice cultivation, rice production and yield. The data covered the period of 5yrs between 2007 and 2011. The climate data were grouped based on the rice cropping calendar of the study area into the pre-planting (Feb), the planting season (March-mid April), the period of growth (mid April- July) and the period of harvest. The data were summarized using statistical tool of mean, Correlation and regression were used to find the strength of relationship while the most critical climatic variable(s) for rice was identified using factor analysis. The result showed that increase in land devoted to rice did not bring corresponding increase in rice yield. Increase in rainfall amount and frequency during the period shortly before planting and during planting seems to be very important for rice yield. Minimum temperature correlates highly with yield during the period of planting. Mild positive relationship exists between yield and temperatures (maximum and minimum). Temperature is most critical during harvest as both maximum and minimum temperature exhibited a high positive relationship of 0.82 and 0.66 respectively.

Socioeconomic assessment of flooding among farm households in Anambra state, Nigeria

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the extent of agricultural losses incurred by the farm households due to flood; to assess the farm households gender-based vulnerability to flood; to identify the coping strategies used by them; and to estimate factors that drive the choice of these coping strategies. Design/methodology/approach – Using both purposive and simple random sampling techniques, the paper selected 120 farm households from the flood prone areas of the state, using the list of the State Agricultural Development Project (ADP) contact farmers as a sampling frame. Data for the paper were collected using a set of structured and pre-tested questionnaire. The information collected included the extent of agricultural losses incurred by the farm households, farm household’s level of asset base, flood coping strategies adopted by the farmers and so on. The data were collected in August 2013. Findings – More than 70 per cent of the farmers’ farmlands were affected by flood, resulting in more than 80 per cent of their staple crops (cassava, rice, yam, maize and vegetables) and livestock (sheep/goat and chicken) being lost. Women were generally more vulnerable than men to the effect of flood. Selling of assets, borrowing of loans to diversify the means of livelihood, short-term migration, support from social network, compensation of losses from National and/or State Emergency Management Agencies, planting of agro-forestry trees, change of date of planting, land terracing, construction of drainages, cover cropping and making of ridges across slop constituted the flood coping strategies of the farmers. On the factors influencing the choice of these coping strategies, the level of education of the household head, frequency of extension visits in a year and tenure security status were positively and significantly related with land and crop management strategies, such as planting of agro-forestry trees, planting of cover crops and construction of drainages across farmland. Age, access to credit, farm size and membership of cooperative societies had negative relationships with selling of assets and short-term migration. In addition, membership of cooperative societies and flood experience were positively and significantly related with institutional measures, such as support from social network and National and State Emergency Management Agencies. These observations underscore the need for training, cooperatives and enhanced farm capacity (credit and farm size) in coping with flood by the farmers. It is recommended that governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should assist the farmers in these regards. Originality/value – Climate change induced flooding has become a developmental issue across the world. As countries continue to be hit by massive flooding, food production also continues to be hit adversely. Nigeria has joined this league because of the rampage flooding across the country in recent times. Anambra State is down stream of both rivers Niger and Benue and, hence, one of the states vulnerable to flooding in Nigeria. Available literature suggests that greater efforts have been made to quantify the economic implications of flooding on agriculture and the concomitant coping strategies in developed than in developing countries. This paper, therefore, assesses the extent of losses suffered by farm households, their level of vulnerability and flood coping strategies.

Assessment of Transfer of Cocoyam Technologies in Anambra State, Nigeria

Agricultural transformation can be achieved in Nigeria in the presence of an effective, well-designed and well executed system of technology development and transfer. Multistage random sampling procedure was employed to select a sample of 36 EAs from the population of all Extension Agents (EAs) in Anambra State Agricultural Development Project (ADP). Research data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire while data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, percentage, ranks) and inferential statistics (multiple regression analysis). The results of data analyses revealed low percentage of young Extension Agents and low percentage of female EAs. A few academically unqualified EAs were on the roll of Anambra State ADP. The transfer of cocoyam technologies in the State has exceeded 73% of its target even as 17 out of 23 cocoyam technologies under study have been transferred to farmers. The major constraints to cocoyam technologies transfer relates to poor conditions of service for EAs, lack field vehicles, poor funding of extension activities, rejection of technologies by farmers on the basis of incompatibility of technologies to farmers’ local practices, inadequate number EAs and poor linkage among Research/Extension/ Farmer/Input Agencies. It was recommended that vigorous efforts be put in place to transfer 6 other cocoyam technologies which were yet to be transferred to the farmers. Also, more young and female EAs should be recruited. The conditions of service of EAs should be improved and that the ideal Training and Visit system of agricultural extension be implemented while research adapt cocoyam technologies to farmers’ local conditions and practices. The Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol.10, No 3, September 2015, pp.168-176

English

Crop yield data were obtained from Kwara State Agricultural Development Project (KWADP), Ilorin and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Lagos on the crops considered in this study, while climate data were sourced from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Oshodi, Lagos and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Lagos for a decade (2002 - 2011). These data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 and Microsft Excel in order to evaluate the impact of climate on the yield on reference crops in Kwara State, Nigeria. Multiple regression, trend analysis, correlation analytical and ANOVA techniques were used to analyze the data. This study was necessitated by the decline observed in the production of cash crops in the state. The result obtained from the analysis carried out on the output per hectare showed that the impact of climate on crop yield was significant for maize and rice yield at 95% probability level while the impact of climate on the yield of millet, sorghum and cowpea was insignificant. As a result, it is recommended that investment should be made to intensify the cultivation of crops on which climate had no significant impact on their yield. Key words: Agriculture, climate, grain-crops, yield, decade.

Capability of Poultry Association of Nigeria for Extension Services Delivery to Poultry Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The findings revealed that 63.7% of the respondents were males within the age bracket of 40-50 years and were literate. Extension services delivery to poultry farmers by Kwara State Agricultural Development Project, government extension agency, was grossly inadequate to meet knowledge and skills required for cost-effective poultry production on account of high extension agent/farmers ratio. PAN in Kwara State has a meeting hall that is suitable for training and a chapter in 9 out of the existing 16 local government areas (LGAs.) of the State. About 20% of the respondents possessed university degree in livestock husbandry/veterinary sciences. Majority (72%) preferred keeping of layers to any other class of poultry. Similarly, 87.1% and 69.2% of the respondents accessed information on Poultry management techniques and marketing during in-house trainings and farm visits sponsored by PAN. The association financed the trainings through the annual dues and levies paid by members which showed the level of preparedness of members to pay for extension services. It was concluded that PAN has optimum human and material resources for extension services delivery to its members. The number of trainings and farm visits organized by the association could be improved upon if PAN accesses other sources of funding.Key Words: Human Resources, extension services, infrastructure, organization’s structure, training and farm visits.

Analysis of Training Needs of Extension Agents on Climate Change Issues in Ekiti State Agricultural Development Project (EKSADP), Nigeria

The study specifically examined tasks performed by extension agents in the EKSADP as related to climate change and the task areas in which they needed further training. Using structured questionnaire, data were collected from thirty three (33) randomly selected extension agents in the two agricultural zones of Ekiti State. The major tasks performed by the extension agents on climate change related issues were educating farmers on pest control (90.9%), rendering of technical advice to farmers (84.8%), establishment of SPAT to monitor climate change impacts (81.8%) and indigenous technology development to mitigate climate change impacts (81.8%). The training needs in the following areas as perceived by the extension agents were weather forecast skills on climate change ( x =3.76), pest control skills to reduce pest attack ( x =3.72), soil conservation skills to reduce evapo-transpiration ( x =3.58), programme planning on climate change issues ( x =3.45), agro-chemical skills to reduce weed growth ( x =3.36), indigenous technology development for mitigating climate change impacts ( x =3.30), use of cultural practices to mitigate climate change impacts ( x =3.27), use of information communication technologies (ICTs) for awareness creation on climate risk management ( x =3.21) and statistical analysis of field data on climate change issues ( x =3.03). In order to improve performance and increase awareness on climate change impacts on agriculture, extension staff in the various agricultural organizations in the country needed to be trained and re-trained in the relevant areas.

Relationship Between Problems And Needs of Extension Workers: A Case Study of Maigana And Samaru Zones of Kaduna State Agricultural Development Project, Nigeria

Relationship Between Problems And Needs of Extension Workers: A Case Study of Maigana And Samaru Zones of Kaduna State Agricultural Development Project, Nigeria

Commercialisation Level of Poultry Production in Minna Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria

Aims: The major objective of this study is to find out the proportion of commercial poultry farmers in the study area who procure credit for financing the production and determine the effect of credit on commercialization level of poultry farming in three selected local government areas in Niger state. While the specific objectives are to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of poultry farmers in the area, determine the effect of credit on poultry output in the study area, estimate and compare poultry commercialization index of credit and non-credit beneficiaries in the study area, determine the effect of credit on level of commercialization of poultry farmers in the study area, and examine the constraints faced by poultry farmers in the study area. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria, between January 2011 and April, 2012. Methodology: The sampling frame for this study is the poultry farmers in Minna Area, Nigeria who are involved in commercial production of either broiler or layer birds. Those Research Article Nmadu et al.; AJAEES; Article no. AJAEES.2012.001 2 raising local chickens were excluded. The sample of 120 commercial poultry farmers were randomly selected from the three Local Governments from a list of poultry farmers obtained from the Niger State Agricultural Development Project (NSADP). Data for this study was collected using standardised questionnaire administered through personal interactions with the respondents. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and frontier production function. Results: The result suggests that the level of commercialisation is generally low among the respondents and shows no significant difference between beneficiaries and nonbeneficiaries of credit although beneficiaries of credit seem to be more business-oriented than non-beneficiaries. Also, the estimates of the frontier model shows that only output in 2010, eggs collected in 2008 in crates, eggs collected in 2010 in crates, cost of construction of housing and cost of hired labour significantly affected poultry population, although eggs collected in 2008 had inverse relationship with population. On the other hand, only output in 2009 and cost of medication did not have any significant relationship with household commercialisation index (HCI). Conclusion: Most of the factors increased technical efficiency suggesting that the farmers tend to manage their farms very efficiently. In view of this, the farmers should be encouraged to see the need to use credit to enhance production and hence increase their HCI. There is need for the farmers to use enhanced production system like battery cage so as to reduce labour input for cleaning the housing.

Comparative effects of organic compost and NPK fertilizer on soil fertility, yield and quality of amaranth in southwest Nigeria

The need for an increased production of vegetables to meet the dietary vitamin requirements of the people had necessitated a research in the use of manure in improving the soil fertility for an improved yield and quality of amaranth. The research was conducted in Obasoto Farm (latitude 7°10’N and longitude 5°37’E) in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria in the early and late seasons of 2007, 2008 and 2009. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments replicated three times. The three treatments were 0 kg/ha manure, 2t/ha organic compost and 200 kg/ha NPK 15-15-15. Amaranthus cruentus seeds obtained from the Ondo State Agricultural Development Project were raised in the nursery and transplanted at a spacing of 10 x 20 cm into 1 x 3 meter manually prepared beds. Each manure type was incorporated by ploughing it in while preparing the bed at 600 g organic compost and 60 g NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer per the 1 x 3 meter bed respectively. Pre-treatment and post planting soil samples were taken for laboratory soil analysis of soil chemical properties for a comparison of the assessment of the cumulative effects of organic compost and inorganic fertilizer in improving soil fertility over a period of three years. The organic matter increased by 23.3% and 0.6% in the second and third year respectively in the plot treated with organic compost, while there was no such increase trend in the plot treated with 200 kg NPK/ha. The organic matter content correlated positively with the yield and vitamin C content of amaranth.

The impact of fadama development project on the living standard of dry season farmers of Gombe state.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of the Fadama development project on the income and standard of living of the farming families of the dry season farmers in Gombe state. Data were obtained from a survey of 302 farmers randomly selected from 82 samples of the Fadama associations that benefited from the Fadama loan in all the local government areas of Gombe state. The result showed that the income of the farmers has increased significantly as a result of Fadama project activities. Farmers were able to purchase more personal belongings. The Fadama development project has also improved the living standard of the loan benefiting members in the state in term of possession of more personal belongings, modern housing and social infrastructures. One major problem facing the project is the conflict between farmers and pastoralists. This has affected dry season farming in certain areas of the state as life and property were lost and or damaged during such conflicts. Other problems included high cost of petrol, lack of good market, small size of holding, land tenure system, lack of active apex association, poor government support and inputs(seeds, fertilizers and pesticides) availability in rural areas. To sustain and improve upon the level achieved the state agricultural development project should to be funded adequately.

PESTS and diseases of field crops and farmers' management practices in zone II of Niger State Agricultural Development Project, Kuta, Nigeria

The farming systems of Zone II of the Niger State Agricultural Development Project (NSADP) were surveyed in September 2000. All the nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) covering three ecological zones of the zone were covered in the selection of villages for the group and individual interviews with farmers in the administration of questionnaires. Farms were visited and assessed for extent of damage caused by insect, weeds, vertebrate and avian pests as well as diseases. Weeds of economic importance in the zone were Striga hermonthica (Del) Benth; Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour) Clayton; Ageratum conyzoides L.; Cyprus rotundus, C. distans and Commelina benghalensis L. Maize streak virus, rice blast and groundout rosette were the damaging diseases of maize, rice and groundnut, respectively. Bush fowl, Quelea sp. and monkeys were the most serious avian and vertebrate pests, respectively. Farmers' management practices for these pests were documented. Short- and long-term solutions to these problems are to be addressed through on-station and on-farm research priorities.