Yam Farmers Research Articles

The State of Adoption of Yam Minisett Technique in Imo State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to determine the state of adoption of yam minisett technique by farmers in Imo State. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 90 respondents (yam farmers) from the area. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain useful information from the respondents. Results showed that 72% of the respondents were between 41 – 60 years of age, 56.7% were married, all attended formal education, 88% had above 5 years farming experience and 45.6% had below N100,000 net annual income from yam production. Findings also indicated that only 36.7% of respondents adopted the yam minisett technique. Age of the farmer, level of education, farming experience, educational level of farmers were factors found to have significant effect on adoption of the yam minisett technique. The farmers were also constrained by scarcity of inputs, low capital outlay, difficulty in obtaining loans, poor market for products and poor extension visit.

Influence of Agricultural Extension Contact on Control of Farmland Degradation among Yam Farmers in Delta North Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria

The main objective of the study was to investigate the influence of extension contact on control of farm land degradation among yam farmers. Eight rural communities were randomly selected for the study. From the eight communities one hundred and twenty (120) yam farmers were randomly drawn to compose the sample. Data were collected by use of structured interview schedule and analysed by mean, Chi square test and Pearson r. It was found that majority of the farmers were old (M =47.77) and below secondary education (M = 9.41). The mean number of extension contact had by the farmers was 3.93. The yam farmers agreed that land degradation could cause famine (M= 2.78), low yam yield (M= 2.71), low quality of yam (M= 3.14), and tussle and pressure on available land M= 2.51). There was a positive and significant relationship between extension contact and perception of the effects of farm land degradation on yam production (r = 0.87). There were significant relationships between number of extension contacts, and mulching (X2 =60.25, r= 0.71); organic manure application (X2 = 55.03, r = 0.68); and avoidance of bush burning (X2 = 86.40, r = 0.85). There was no significant relationship between extension contacts and terracing (X2 =15.95, r= 0.37). The study established that education campaign I the control of farm land degradation through avoidance of bush burning, use of mulching and organic manure. The education campaigns to control farm land degradation was effective in the study area. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n2p33

Farmers Adaptation Strategies to the Effect of Climate Variation on Yam Production: A case study In Ekiti State, Nigeria

The study investigated farmers adaptation strategies to the effect of climate variation on yam production in Ekiti State with the specific objectives of assessing the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, farmers’ climate related constraints, the adaptation strategies employed by farmers, and yam farmers’ level of production across the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. A three - stage multistage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and fifty one respondents from the list of contact farmers obtained from the state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP). Data collected through questionnaire were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, Chi-square, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and ANOVA. Results obtained showed that farmers in the study area were mostly males with a mean age of 53.9 years. Chi-square analysis revealed that there was a significant relationship between secondary occupation (χ2 = 14.068), farm size (χ2 = 99.597) and the level of production of yam farmers. Pearson product moment correlation indicated that there were significant and positive relationships between age (r = 0.160), adaptation strategies (r = 0.158) and level of production, while negative relationship was found between constraints (r = -0.173) and the level of yam production. ANOVA showed a significant difference in the level of production of farmers across the years; 2008, 2009 and 2010 (F= 212.7). Therefore, efforts should be geared towards developing and making available, yam setts that are tolerant to change in climate elements and weather extremes like flood and drought. This study also suggests the need for prompt weather information, increased research and development of innovation for sustainable yam cropping in the face of climate variation.Key words: Climate variation, Constraints, Adaptation

English

This study examined the economic assessment of yam production in Kabba- Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. Data used for the study were obtained using structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to 150 randomly selected yam farmers in the area. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression and gross margin (GM) analysis were used to analyze the data. The regression result showed that, farm income (2.778), age (1.820) and education level (2.334) have significant effects on yam output in the area. The GM analysis also revealed that, yam production is profitable in the study area with an average profit of N 121,200 ha-1. It was therefore recommended that, farm inputs be made available to farmers at subsidized prices as a way of improving income from yam production.   Key words: Yield, profit, farmers, variables and socioeconomic.

Gender Analysis of Determinants of Labor Input among Yam Farmers in Paiko Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

The study examined factors that determined labor input of male and female managed farms among yam producing households in Paiko Local government area of Niger State. Primary data were used and a structured questionnaire was the instrument used to collect data. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 60 households from where 60 respondents (30 male and 30 female) were obtained. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study revealed that 76.63% of the male respondents were aged 20-40 years, while 78.3% of the female were aged 20-40 years. Determinants of labor supply among the female managed farms had R 2 of 49% with family size, farm size and yam farming experience being statistically significant while among male managed farms, R 2 was 90.3% and farm size, age, wage rate, number of extension visits and family size were statistically significant. The major constraints to yam farming among the male yam farmers were lack of transportation and disease. On the other hand, the major constraints faced by the female farmers were time spent in household chores and transportation. It was recommended that Government should design policies that will help yam farmers to easily access loans at low interest. In order to ensure that the labor imputed into yam production is not wasted, farming inducement packages should be instituted. Such packages to be targeted at farmers include access to extension services and membership of cooperatives.

Repayment Performance among Cassava and Yam Farmers under Nigerian Agricultural Bank Smallholder Loan Scheme in Cross River State, Nigeria

Repayment Performance among Cassava and Yam Farmers under Nigerian Agricultural Bank Smallholder Loan Scheme in Cross River State, Nigeria

Evaluation of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed and ginger (Zingiber officinale) as potential control agents of yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) tuber rot fungi

Yam is an important crop which serves as a source of income to small-holder farmers as well as a foreign exchange earner. Among the constraints faced by yam farmers are pests and diseases, especially deterioration caused by microbes during storage. Since over dependence on pesticides is being discouraged, neem seed and ginger extracts were evaluated as potential control agents against rot-causing fungi. The study was conducted in the Spanish laboratory, at the Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus. Isolations were made from rotted yam tubers sampled from the Tamale Central market with potato dextrose agar (PDA) as the growth medium. Growth inhibition of the isolates was determined by growing pure cultures on PDA plates amended with 2 ml each of ethanol and aqueous extracts of neem seed and ginger as well as carbendazim. A pathogenicity test proved that Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. ochraceus and Penicillium digitatum isolated from the rotted tubers were responsible for the rot. A. niger had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) occurrence (40%) than the others. Growth inhibitions by carbendazim and ethanol extracts of neem seed and ginger were comparable but significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the aqueous extracts of neem seed and ginger as well as the control. However, the aqueous extracts of neem seed and ginger had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) inhibition than the control. For instance, growth inhibition of A. niger by carbendazim, ethanol neem seed and ginger extracts were 70.5, 69.6 and 65.5%, respectively, while inhibition by aqueous neem seed and ginger extracts were 33.9 and 24.8%, respectively. Since aqueous extracts of neem seed and ginger significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) growth of the rot-causing fungi, they can be used as surface protectants of stored tubers.

Repayment Performance among Cassava and Yam Farmers under Nigerian Agricultural Bank Smallholder Loan Scheme in Cross River State, Nigeria

This study analyzed credit worthiness and loan repayment performance of cassava and yam farmers in cross river state. Specifically, the study assessed credit worthiness of borrowers, identified factors that discriminate between credit worthy and non credit worthy farmers and analyzed factors that influence the farmers’ ability to loan repayment. Purposive and multistage random techniques were used in selecting respondents from which primary data were collected using questionnaires. A total of 150 crop farmers were used in the study. Method of data analysis utilized were means, frequencies, percentages, discriminant analysis and the multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that only 56% of the respondents were creditworthy. Also, farmers with better educational level, larger farm sizes, longer years of farming, proper loan supervision, and low total operating expenditure to income ratio were credit worthy farmers. While farmers with lower loan to asset ratio were said to be non credit worthy. The results of the linear regression model showed that farmers with higher educational level, larger loan amount, and adequate supervision repaid their loans more. An increase in these variables increased their repayment ability. While farmers with longer years of farming, and those whose loans were disbursed late repaid less of their loans. An increase in these variables decreased their repayment ability . The study recommended that more supervision should be exercised on loan beneficiaries to encourage prompt repayment of loan. The bank should

An Evaluation of the Effect of Agricultural Extension Delivery on Resource-Poor Farmers’ Income from Yam in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Agricultural extension is designed to increase farmers’ productivity and well-being through the adoption of improved agricultural extension technological recommendations. Against this background, the study was conducted to determine the effect of adoption of agricultural extension recommendations on the resourcepoor farmers’ income from yam. In conducting the study, 180 yam farmers from Cross River State were randomly selected through multi-stage stratified random sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using linear correlation and regression analysis at 5% level. The study showed that agricultural extension through farmers’ adoption of technological recommendations significantly increased farmers’ income from yam. The null hypothesis that agricultural extension does not increase farmers’ income from yam significantly was rejected, while the alternative hypothesis was accepted.

Facilitating Healthy Seed Yam Entrepreneurship in the Niger River System in Nigeria

This paper explores the results of a programme designed to facilitate entrepreneurship centred on healthy seed yam (Dioscorea rotundata) production on the eastern bank of the River Niger. Ware yam farmers residing along the eastern bank, upstream of the Niger/Benue confluence, source their planting material from towns such as Ilushi in Edo state, which involves significant travel and expense. The project encouraged 10 ware yam farmers living in Edeke village (Idah local government, Kogi state) to specialize in healthy seed yam production by employing the adapted yam minisett technique (AYMT). This employs a sett size of around 80–100 g treated with a joint insecticide and fungicide dip. The treated setts are planted directly into the field, not first planted into a nursery as with the yam minisett technique (YMT). The Edeke farmers received a loan from the Diocesan Development Services (DDS) to employ the AYMT to produce healthy seed yams on a significant scale. However, while sales of seed yam by four of the farmers generated a significant and positive gross margin, six farmers opted to plant their seed yams in the subsequent season (2012) to produce ware yams. This paper presents some of the results, and discusses the decisions taken and the dilemmas faced by the farmers in the production of seed and ware yam and the possibility of initiating and developing new markets for seed yam in the Idah area.

Analisis Pendapatan Petani Ubi Alabio (Dioscorea alata) Di Desa Nelayan Kecamatan Sungai Tabukan Kabupaten Hulu Sungai Utara Propinsi Kalimantan Selatan

Agricultural development is aimed at increasing farmers' income and the role of agriculture in overall national development. Among the economic sectors, agriculture must remain the cornerstone of the development of the Hulu Sungai Utara district. The potential of the agricultural sector in Hulu Sungai Utara district includes rice and beans, corn, peanuts, sweet potatoes or sweet potato alabio which are more dominant. The objectives of this study were: (i) to find out the cost and acceptance of the alabio yam farmers for one farm, (ii) to find out how the alabio sweet potato contributes to farmers' income during one farm, (iii) to know the problems faced by farmers. This research has been carried out in the Tabukan Sub-District Fishermen Village, Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, from April to May 2009. While the data collection method is a direct interview method with farmers who are assisted by sample respondents using a questionnaire. At the alabio cassava farm in Desa Nelayan the average cost is Rp. 343,702.8, - / farming. The average income earned is Rp 2,439,036, 11, - and the average income is Rp 2,095,333.3, with an average contribution of 17.6%. Alabio yam farming in Desa Nelayan is a side activity, traditionally cultivated with a small scale of work. The selling price of the alabio perilogram in Nelayan Village ranges from Rp. 4,000 to Rp. 7,000.

Impact of mulching technology adoption on output and net return to yam farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Soil erosion and nutrient depletion present a threat to the food security and sustainability of agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, limited rigorous empirical work on the economics of soil conservation exists. This study examines the factors affecting the adoption of mulching technology and its attendant impact on yam output supply and net returns among sampled yam farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. Probit model and propensity score matching were used to analyse the factors influencing the adoption of mulching technology and its impact on yam output and net returns among yam farmers respectively. The study shows that seed quantity and access to credit are the most significant factors influencing the adoption of mulching technology. Yam farmers in the study area who adopted mulching technology were found to experience a higher output supply than non-adopters, which resulted in a positive and significant effect on their output and net return. Hence, policies targeted at increasing yam output through increasing soil fertility need to include mulching technology as a potentially viable option.

Measurement of Efficiency of Yam Production in Nasarawa State, Nigeria: A Profit Function Approach

The study employed the stochastic frontier function to examine factors that affected economic efficiency and the level of the efficiency for yam production in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to sample for location while purposive sampling technique was employed to sample for the respondents. One hundred and sixty yam farmers constituted the sampling size and the sampling frame was derived from the list of yam farmers gotten from the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) extension offices in the respective communities. A mean economic efficiency of 51% was measured for the sampled yam farmers. Price of planting materials (p=0.01), price of fertilizer used (p=0.01) and capital inputs (p=0.01) were significant factors that strongly determined yam production. However, the factors that strongly determined economic efficiency of yam production in Nasarawa State were age (p=0.01), household size (p=0.01) farm size (p=0.05) and extension contacts (p=0.1). Policies of government for increased yam productivity and economic efficiency in the study area should target the young farmers, geared towards improving on the existing extension service provision which should include sustained subsidies and easy accessibility of farm inputs by the farmers.Keywords: Stochastic frontier, profit function, determinants, economic efficiency

Loan Size and Its Determinants as Critical Growth Factors for Rural Farmers in Imo State, Southeast Nigeria

This study analyzed the loan demand requirements of rural staple and poultry farmers in Owerri Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria. Also, the factors affecting loan size were analyzed. In carrying out this cross-sectional study, data were collected with stratified sampling technique, using structured and pre-tested questionnaires from 100 loan beneficiaries and five financial institutions in the zone. The study lasted for a period of six months, effective April, 2010. Expect value method was used to determine their optimum loan requirement while OLS multiple regression analysis technique was employed in determining factors affecting loan size of beneficiaries. Results showed that the potent factors affecting loan size were farm size, level of education, enterprise type, farmers experience and dependency ratio. The result further indicated that the respondents were highly limited by capital as the financial institutions met only 60% of their capital needs. The optimum loan requirement determined for the farmers were N292, 315, and N435, 753 for Cassava and Yam farmers respectively, for farm size of 0.80 hectare. For poultry farmers of about 120 birds, the optimum loan requirement estimated was N492, 500. These figures would serve as reference points for financial institutions in loan administration of farmers of similar status and area. The financial institutions were admonished to consider providing start-up capital for the youths and fresh graduates, who apparently are yet to make in-road into farming as a business. On the other hand, government was urged to provide fiscal and monetary incentives to financial institutions supporting agriculture in view of the delicate nature of farm business.

Willingness to adopt the vine multiplication technique in seed yam production in the forest savanna transition agro-ecological zone, Ghana

Yam is a vital crop in Ghana both at the domestic and export markets. It contributes about 17% of agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) and plays a key role in household food security with more than 2 million tons harvested each year. However, the inadequacy of planting materials is a major constraint in yam production. The cost of planting materials alone constitutes about 50% of total cost of production. The newly developed technique of propagating yam through vine cuttings (vine multiplication technique) has been introduced by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) and its partners to farmers. To assess the willingness of farmers to adopt the vine technology, a study was conducted in the forest-savannah transition zone of Ghana in 2010 involving a total of 375 yam farmers (324 males and 51 females). The study used the probit model to assess framers’ willingness to adopt the vine technique. The results show that age, farm size, experience, yield, cost of adoption, ease of adoption, visits to a demonstration field and the expectation of obtaining more seed yams influenced farmers’ willingness to adopt the vine technique. It is recommended that the technology should be promoted targeting younger experienced farmers with larger farm sizes and higher yields Key words: Ghana, probit model, vine technique, willingness to adopt, Yam.

Effects of root and tuber expansion programme (rtep) on cassava nd yam farmers’ level of production in Oyo state, Nigeria

The economic and social situation in Africa is a matter of great concern, the daily lives of the majority of Africans living mainly in rural areas is marked by hunger and diseases. A great proportion of its people are deprived of basic necessities, especially food, access to health facilities, education and safe water. In other words, increase in agriculturalproduction has always been a concern for both government and nongovernmental organizations in Nigeria .This is because of the rapid increase in population of the nation. Thus, many agricultural programmes and technologies have been developed by the federal government to improve the efficiency of the agricultural sector in productionharvesting, processing, storage and marketing in order to proffer solution to the problem of hunger and poverty in the nation.Thus, this study examined the effect of Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) on cassava and yam farmers’ level of production in Oyo state, as one of the participating states. Multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents from two participating zones in the study area for the study. Primary data were generated through the use of structured questionnaires /interview schedules. Questionnaires wereadministered on 120 respondents out of which 100 were used and this gives a response rate of 83.3%.Secondary data were also collected from technical reports, and publications from the Federal headquarters, RTEP, Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP), project coordinating unit (PCU) and other relevant establishments.Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (Chi square, Pearson Moment Correlationtest and Analysis of variance) were used. The study reveals that majority of the respondents had formal education which is a great advantage, for their adoptionand production. Majority (84 %) are married, 23.0 percent had farm size of 7.1-10hec which indicates that they have capacity for enlargement/increase. The Result also shows that majority (70%) have more than 15years of experience in farming and this will have influence on their indigenous practices in farming. The result of chi square analysis shows that there is significant relationship between attitude and level of production of cassava and yam farmers(X2 =8.251, p=0.000).The study also shows that there is a significant difference between theconstraints faced by farmers and level of production of cassava and yam farmers (t=1.261, p=0.009). The analysis of the relationship between income and level of production of the respondents showed that there is asignificant relationship, but it was an inverse type of relationship(r =-0.517, p= 0.000).The analysis of variance showed that there is significant difference in the level of production of cassava and yam farmers before and during the programme. This study has some implication for agricultural extension in the area of the number of extension personnelavailable are no enough to cover the total number of farmers in the nation, and it also reveals the reason for high staff turn over in extension arm of ADP .This study has also helped in revealing the underlying problems in the implementation of agricultural programmes such as organizational principle ,political influence, lack of the beneficiaries input in the design and implementation. The result for the study showed that RTEP has contributed to the level of production of cassava and yam famers as well as their income level through processing and marketing of various value added product from cassava and yam which is also extending to other root and tuber crops. Nevertheless identified constraints to cassava and yam production ,processing, and marketing include labour, transportation, farm inputs, inadequate timely information to farmers, lackof access to fertilizer ,storage capacity, lack of incentives to farmers and capital .It is therefore recommended that effectives extension system ,and a well coordinated agricultural development programme should be pursued to achieve greater agricultural production, increased household income and poverty reduction.

Sustainable Food Production Systems and Food Security: Economic and Environmental Imperatives in Yam Cultivation in Trelawny, Jamaica

Members of the genus Dioscorea, food yams, were introduced to Jamaica from Africa during the slave era and have remained a staple in local diets and national cuisine. Yam cultivation has also been an important economic activity providing employment for thousands of rural Jamaicans. Until the 1960s yams were grown for local use by subsistence growers for home consumption or by commercial growers for sale in local produce markets. Since then, however, yam has also grown to become an important export crop. With its value added potential virtually untouched, this crop possesses intriguing possibilities from the standpoint of food security and rural livelihoods in yam growing areas of Jamaica. At the same time there are concerns about the ecological and economic sustainability of yam farming under current conditions. In this paper we will analyze the sustainability of yam cultivation and consider concrete strategies for increasing the environmental sustainability and enhancing its contribution to food security.

Level of Farmers’ Participation In The International Institute Of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Improved Spear Grass (Imperata Cylindrica) Control Project In Benue State

This study examined the participation of farmers in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) spear grass (Imperata cylindrica) control project, which used the participatory research and extension paradigm. A sample of 60 small-scale yam farmers from three districts of Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State who participated in the IITA spear grass control project were randomly selected and interviewed in this study. Descriptive statistics were employed in data analysis. The result of the study indicated that majority (80%) of the participants sourced herbicides from open markets, 98.3% perceived that the cost of herbicides was high, 75% could use herbicides, 73.3% were not visited by extension agents, 71.7% did not belong to any social organization, while all the participants had no access to credit. However, the farmers were satisfied with the operation of 6 out of 12 project activities. The study also revealed that involvement of participants in project activities was highest at the consultative level where key decisions were made by project officials and farmers only contributed their views. The study concluded that participation of farmers in IITA spear grass control project has not empowered them with the skills, knowledge and experiences to take greater responsibility of increasing yam production and productivity. The results call for strategies aimed at improving farmers’ participation in similar projects to enable them attain a level where they can continuously co-create innovations in order to cope, compete and survive.

Measuring Technical Efficiency of Yam Farmers in Nigeria: A Stochastic Parametric Approach

Measuring Technical Efficiency of Yam Farmers in Nigeria: A Stochastic Parametric Approach

Comparative analysis of the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers among yam farmers in Shiroro local government area of Niger state, Nigeria

The broad objective of the study is to comparatively analyse the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers among yam farmers. The specific objectives are to determine farmers preference for the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers , their average yam yields per hectare and the annual income realized from the sales of yam. It also include the examination of various factors militating against the use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers .To achieve this, the study was conducted in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria.The methodology involved a stepwise random sampling of 10 wards, 19 villages and purposive sampling of 131 yam farmers. Primary data were collected with the aid of Interview Schedule that was validated by experts and tested for reliability using Test- retest method ( r = 0.83). Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used to analyse data collected for the study. Hypotheses were tested at 5% significant level. Results showed that 40.5% and 59.5% of the farmers preferred the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers respectively. Findings also indicated that there was no significant difference between annual yam yields per hectare, using organic and inorganic fertilizers. However, the study confirmed a significant difference between the income realized from sales of yam by the farmers. This might be connected to different marketing strategies being adopted by individual farmer. It is recommended that Extension Agents (EAs) should encourage farmers to adopt the use of organic fertilizers with a view to complementing the use of inorganic fertilizers which were considered very expensive and not readily available by the yam farmers.Key words: Organic fertilizer, Inorganic fertilizer, Yield, Income, Soil nutrients and Yam