Rural Farmers' Perception of Climate Change in Central Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria

Farmer perception of their environment is a factor of climate change. Adaptation to climate change requires farmers to realize that the climate has changed and they must identify useful adaptations and implement them. This study analyzed the per-ception of climate change among rural farmers in central agri-cultural zone of Delta State, Nigeria. Climate change studies often assume certain adaptations and minimal examination of how, when, why, and conditions under which adaptations usually take place in any economic and social systems. The study was conducted by survey method on 131 respondents using struc-tured interview schedule and questionnaire. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and linear regression model to test that education, gender, and farming experience influenced farmers' perception of climate change. The results showed that the farmers were aware of climate change. The identified causes of climate change were ranging from intensified agriculture, population explosion, increased use of fossil fuel, loss of in-digenous know practice to gas flaring. The effects of climate change on crops and livestocks were also identified by the rural farmers. Many of the farmers adapted to climate change by planting trees, carrying out soil conservation practice, changing planting dates, using different crop varieties, installing fans in livestock pens, and applying irrigation. Almost half of them did not adapt to climate change. The linear regression analysis revealed that education, gender, and farming experience influ-enced farmers' perception of climate change. The major barriers to adaptation to climate change included lack of information, lack of money, and inadequate land

Assessment of in-service Training Prospects for Extension Agents in Delta State Agricultural Development Programme (DTADP)

This paper examines the in-service training prospects for agricultural extension agents in Delta State agricultural development programme (DTADP). The types of in-service training programmes available, criteria for selecting extension agents for study leave with pay, and constraints to in-service training were also determined. The paper reviewed the present status of pre-service training in agricultural extension The study reveals that induction/orientation training, fortnightly, training, seminars, conferences, workshops and refresher courses are among in-service programmes used extensively in the training of agricultural extension agents in DTADP. Over 50% of the respondents indicated that they have benefited in these training programmes. It was alsofound that study leave, off-project training and short duration courses have not been adequately utilised in the training of extension agents. Only 17% of the respondents have enjoyed study leave with pay while 38% of them have attended short duration courses. The study recommends the modification and updating of the pre-service training curriculum in agricultural extension, adequate funding of in-service training programmes, the extensive use of short duration and refresher causes in the training of agricultural extension agents, and the establishment of staff training linkage between DTADP and Faculty ofAgriculture ofthe Delta State university as a means ofsourcing trainers

EFFECT OF COHESION ON LOAN REPAYMENT IN FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

This study was carried out in Delta State to assess the effect of cohesion of farmers’ cooperative societies on loan repayment among members in Delta State. The members subscribed to their respective cooperative societies in order to easily access credit, extension service and inputs at cheap price. Other reasons were for direct marketing of produce; price determination and exchange of ideas/experiences. The members were generally highly satisfied with loan repayment rate of members. The various farmers’ cooperative societies were highly cohesive generally. The various cooperative societies were highly satisfied with their respective management. The members of the cooperative societies were committed, attracted to the cooperatives and involved in the groups’ activities. Their individual and group goals were being met and still want to be members of their respective cooperative society. An almost perfect positive relationship between rate of loan repayment perception and cohesion. It is therefore recommended that extension agents should take advantage of the effect of cohesion on loan repayment to promote cohesion in up coming cooperative societies; executives of cooperative societies should encourage cohesion; and extension training for cooperative societies’ executives should include group issues

Assessment of in-service Training Prospects for Extension Agents in Delta State Agricultural Development Programme (DTADP)

This paper examines the in-service training prospects for agricultural extension agents in Delta State agricultural development programme (DTADP). The types of in-service training programmes available, criteria for selecting extension agents for study leave with pay, and constraints to in-service training were also determined. The paper reviewed the present status of pre-service training in agricultural extension The study reveals that induction/orientation training, fortnightly, training, seminars, conferences, workshops and refresher courses are among in-service programmes used extensively in the training of agricultural extension agents in DTADP. Over 50% of the respondents indicated that they have benefited in these training programmes. It was alsofound that study leave, off-project training and short duration courses have not been adequately utilised in the training of extension agents. Only 17% of the respondents have enjoyed study leave with pay while 38% of them have attended short duration courses. The study recommends the modification and updating of the pre-service training curriculum in agricultural extension, adequate funding of in-service training programmes, the extensive use of short duration and refresher causes in the training of agricultural extension agents, and the establishment of staff training linkage between DTADP and Faculty ofAgriculture ofthe Delta State university as a means ofsourcing trainers

CAUSES, EFFECTS AND RESOLUTION OF FARMERS-NOMADIC CATTLE HERDERS CONFLICT IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The study was conducted in Delta state to investigate the farmers-nomadic herders conflict that is very common in many parts of Nigeria. Such conflict has caused a lot of losses to Nigeria, the State, Local Communities, and families. This study unveils the secrets behind such conflicts and gives ideas on the way to prevent and solve such in the future. Using simple random and positive sampling techniques, 80 farmers and 20 nomadic cattle herders were selected respectively from 8 randomly selected communities. Data were collected using structured interview schedule. The causes of such conflict were destruction of crops, contamination of streams by cattle, zero grazing of land, disregard for local traditional authorities, female harassment, harassment of nomads by host communities youths, indiscriminate bush burning, defecation of cattle on roads, cattle theft, and straying of cattle. The socio-economic effects of the conflicts result to reduction in crop yield and income of farmers/nomads displacement of farmers, loss of lives and properties and loss of products in the storage. T-test result showed differences in the responses of farmers and nomads in the respect to the causes of the conflicts (

Promoting environmental protection in Nigeria through environmental education: the role of women

This paper examined the various roles women play in environmental education to promote environmental protection in Nigeria. The paper maintained that Nigeria like most countries in Africa face serious environmental challenges on several fronts including poverty, pollution, land degradation, water security, forest fires, deforestation, climate change and urbanisation due mainly to population pressure. The importance of environmental education has been strongly emphasized not just through schools and colleges but also through training in business and industry, through community activities and through raising public awareness of the environment. It is stressed here that women, being the first teachers of our children, have the capacity to influence others like husbands, house-helps and neighbours and their closeness to the environment supports the need for environmental education right from home for environmental consciousness. The challenges facing women in a bid to carry out this all-important task as highlighted in this paper include inadequate trained personnel, lack of government commitment to funding, lack of flow of information to decision makers, cultural/religious factors, social and economic factors, lack of time and other domestic duties at home. The paper established that the environment, a common heritage of humanity needs to be sustainably managed to fight against poverty, food shortage as well as homelessness which can be some of the serious consequences of environmental degradation. Keywords: Environmental protection, environmental education, promotion, women Journal of Environmental Extension Vol. 6 2007: pp. 17-2

Male and Female Participation in Selected Agricultural Development Programmes in Edo state

The study assessed the level of male and female equality in participating in agricultural development programmes in Edo state. Purposive sampling was used to select 135 respondents made up of both men (79) and women (56) from the intervention programmes present in the three selected LGAs. Data were collected from the respondents using questionnaire and interview schedule. The results show that the respondents had mean age of approximately 45 years; most of the respondents were married and had one form of formal education or the other. The male had grand participation mean of 2.94 and participation index of 0.74, while the female participants had grand participation mean of 3.52 and participation index of 0.88. It was concluded that female farmers in Edo State had a higher level of participation than their male counterparts.Keywords: Gender participation in agricultural programmes, intervention programme in agricultural development

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) ADOPTION AMONG FARMERS IN CENTRAL AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) among farmers in Central Agro-ecological Zone of Delta State, Nigeria was assessed. Specifically the objectives were to ascertain the level of adoption of IPM and determine the frequency of extension contact with farmers. Three hundred and twenty farmers were selected and interviewed with the use of structured interview schedule. The findings revealed that 15.63% of the farmers adopted the technology and extension contact was not encouraging.  Result of the profit model analysis showed that marital statuses, household size, involvement of every household member in were the significant demographic factors influencing the use of the innovation. This is therefore the need to embark on aggressive campaign for the utilization and popularization of the technology among farmers. Extension agents should select contact farmers from among those that are married, willing to involve all household members indecision making middle aged for rapid technology adoption and diffusion

DETERMINANTS OF ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AMONG ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR EXTENSION SERVICE

This study identified the major adaptation measures to climate change among arable crop farmers in Edo State, Nigeria, the factors that influenced their adaptation to climate change, and the barriers to climate change adaptation. One hundred and twenty respondents were randomly selected for the study. Data were collected with the use of structured interview schedule. And the data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression model. The adaptation measures taught to and used by farmers included irrigation, vermincomposting, increased use of animal manure, changing of planting dates, mulching, tree planting, use of different crop varieties and zero tillage. However, adoption of the adaptation measure to climate change was generally low (adoption index = 0.168). The major barriers to adaptation include lack of information (77%) on adaptation measures and financial challenges (42%).Results of the linear regression model indicate that the level of education of the household head (t-stat = 3.65081), household size (t-stat = 3.23023),extension visit (t-stat = 6.87084), visit to other farmers (t-stat = 3.6084001) and attendance to meetings (t-stat = 5.37596) significantly and positively impacted on adaptation to climate change. These imply that increase in these variables would lead to increase in the application of adaptation measures to climate change. Extension service needs to organize the farmers and other stakeholders into an information network. It was recommended that farmers should be given access to credit, effective policy must be put in place to address imperfections in the agricultural knowledge and information system in promoting adaptation to climate