Adoption of improved cassava varieties in six rural communities in Anambra State, Nigeria

A survey of 118 randomly selected cassava farmers was conducted in Ukpor, Amichi, Osumenyi, Ezinifite, Ekwulummili and Ebenator, communities in Nnewi South Local Government Area of AnambraState using structured interview schedule, to determine the use of improved cassava and local cassavacultivars in the area. Majority (64%) of the respondents cultivated  both local and improved cassavacultivars. The improved cassava cultivars grown by the farmers were TMS 30572, TMS 30555 and TMS 4(2) 1425 while ‘akpuocha’, ‘udukanani’ and ‘achirinaka’ were the most popular local cultivars grown in the area. However, TMS 30572 and ‘udukanani’ were the most widely grown cassava cultivars with 78.8 and 77.1% of the respondents cultivating them, respectively. Specifically, many of the farmerscultivated TMS 30572 for its high yield, perceived low level of HCN in products, high product quality, pests/disease resistance, ability to shade off weeds and early maturity. Similarly, greater proportion ofthe farmers cultivated ‘udukanani’ for its late maturity, ease of harvest and colour of tubers while others cultivated it for its ability to store longer after processing and the palatability of its products. The majorfactors that limit the effective use of improved cassava cultivars in the area were non-availability of important agrochemicals, high cost of labour and lack of finance. The study recommended investigation of the ‘udukanani’ cultivar to determine its suitability for future cultivar development

The role of micronutrients in child health: A review of the literature

The health and well being of children depend upon the interaction between their genetic potential and exogenous factors like adequacy of nutrition, safety of the environment, social interaction andstimulation. Micronutrients which are nutrients that are only needed by the body in minute amounts play leading roles in the production of enzymes, hormones and other substances and also help toregulate growth activity, development and functioning of the immune and reproductive systems. Micronutrient deficiency, which has been considered as a major risk factor in child survival in Nigeria,increases the risk of death from common diseases such as acute gastroenteritis, pneumonia and measles. Dietary practices frequently seen in children from both developed and developing countriessuch as frequent consumption of nutrient-poor foods (as unhealthy snacks), and the “refusal” to take green leafy vegetables and fruits compromise their intake of micronutrients (such as zinc, iodine,vitamin A, iron, folate and selenium) from dietary sources. This paper reviews the role of micronutrients in child health and the importance of consuming green leafy vegetables, soy beans, seasonal fruits,milk, dairy products, fish, eggs, chicken and other food stuffs. The consumption of these foods will prevent the occurrence of common day to day infections in children, enable the society produce healthy children with solid foundation and ensure optimal human resource development

A review of policy acts and initiatives in plantain and banana innovation system in Nigeria

Plantain and banana are among the most important staple food crops in humid forest zone of West and Central Africa. These has made the crop one of the key research mandates of International and nationalresearch institutes, both of which has developed many technologies aimed at improving the production of the crop and removing constraints posed by pest and diseases, marketing opportunities andperishability. Despite these efforts and research breakthrough the production of the crops has been on consistent downward trend in recent years. A ten years (1996 - 2005) production figure of the cropsshowed that land under plantain and banana production increased by 24.6% while yield reduction of 21.8% was recorded during the same period (FAOSTAT, 2006). This abysmal trend prompted a 40 years(1967 - 2006) review of policy acts and initiatives on the crops, with an examination of various efforts in the areas of research, dissemination, utilization, production and marketing. Seven gaps of criticalimplications to production and commercialization were identified; these include government nonintervention, marketing and constraints to production, weak/fragile links among stakeholders, researchfarmersdichotomy, project sustainability, lack of documentation and funding. Linkages among stakeholders were generally weak and without cohesion, objectives were at variance and unhealthy.The study concluded that stakeholder’s cohesion and coordination of efforts is needed for increased production and commercialization. Also governmental intervention is needed in the areas of policyinitiatives and acts that will go beyond the ad-hoc response which are usually triggered by natural disaster such as pest and diseases as is the case with black Sigatoka outbreak in mid 80’s which wasthe only period government really intervened in plantain and banana production in Nigeria

International institute of tropical agriculture plantain and banana programme: An insight into the contributions of farmer-to- farmer extension paradigm

Dissemination of research results by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) had been a major challenge to the Institute as inappropriate dissemination mechanism was revealed as a majorconstraint to her earlier efforts in disseminating cooking banana technologies between 1990 and 1994. A public-private technology delivery approach (research-farmer-to-farmer extension approach), which allows farmers to play the major role in dissemination of IITA plantain and banana based technologies was undertaken in three states of Nigeria. This study provides an insight into the contributions of thisparadigm shift. The results show that farmer-to-farmer dissemination accounted for 26.6% awareness and 35.7% source of solutions to problems encountered in technology adoption at no direct cost toresearch and extension. Average plantain and banana hybrid adoption in the three states was 50.7%. Correlation analysis revealed that household size, ever questioned about plantain production problems,frequency of extension visits and trial experience had significant relationships with adoption. The regression analysis indicated that trial experience was the only variable with predictive value for plantain and banana hybrids adoption (R = 0.21). We concluded that free flow of information among all stakeholders is the panacea for sustained adoption and diffusion of the IITA plantain and banana basedinnovations

Assessment of the Extent of Adoption of Sweetpotato Production Technology by Farmers in the Southeast Agro-Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam) is one of the most important staple carbohydrate foods in Sub-Saharan Africa, reputed for its capacity to tolerate marginal environments and high energy-fixing efficiency to produce high dry matter at a short period of time. It arrived Nigeria between 1694 and 1698 and, through the research and extension efforts of National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, and other collaborating institutions, has been disseminated to farmers in Nigeria. Using the multistage sampling technique, and a structured interview schedule as instrument for data collection, this study assessed the extent of adoption of sweetpotato production technology by farmers in the Souteast agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The findings showed 79.63% of the farmers were aware of the technology, while 20.37% were not. Majority of the farmers had adopted all the sweetpotato production practices except plant spacing. The constraints to increased adoption of the technology were scarcity of land, difficulty in integrating sweetpotato production technology into existing production system, low consumer preference associated with sweetpotato products, lack of market, unavailability of sweetpotato vines, high cost of available sweetpotato vines and unavailability of inorganic fertilizer. Others included high cost of available inorganic fertilizer, unavailability of agro-chemicals, high cost of available agr-chemicals, lack of contact with important sources of information on sweetpotato production, lack of adequate technical knowledge about recommended sweetpotato farm practices, and problems of pests and diseases. The study recommended the development of less complex technologies by research, increased use of contract out-growers to multiply planting materials and increased farmer-participation in farmers/social organizations

Cowpea varietal needs of farmers in Bauchi and Gombe States of Nigeria

No Abstract. Agro-Science Vol. 3(1) 2002: 55-6

Status Of Fish Farming In Isoko Area Of Niger Delta, Nigeria: Implications For Extension

This paper examines the status of fish farming in Isoko area of Niger Delta with the view of drawing implications for agricultural extension service. Structured interview schedules were used in collecting data from eighty-four fish farmers randomly selected from the area. Percentages and mean scores were used for statistical analysis. The results showed that majority (88.1%) of the farmers were operating on a small-scale level. Also, majority (83.33%) of the fish farmers had their fish ponds in swampy areas and sourced water from rain/underground water. The mean number of fish ponds per farmer was approximately 6. However, the commonly reared fish species were Tilapia species; Hetebranchus species; Clarias species and Heterotis species. The results further showed that lack of credit facilities; inadequate extension contact; lack of capital to invest in intensive production and high cost of inputs were some of the factors constraining fish farming development in the area. These findings suggest the need for intensified programmes to ensure improved production and productivity of fish farms in the area. Keywords: Fish farming, Constraints, Stocking Patterns, Management Systems Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 2 (2) 2006: pp. 1-1

Incorporating Migrant Farmers into Nigeria’s Agricultural Extension Policy

The paper described the rural dynamics of Igbo migrant farmers found among Odolu/Igalamela people of Kogi State of Nigeria. Semi-structured interview schedule were used in collecting data from one hundred heads of migrant households. Percentages, wealth classification, mean scores and T-test were used to analyze the data obtained. The study revealed that majority of the responden ts were poor farmers who migrated more than 11 years ago because of economic reasons and poor soils at source area. Most of the migrant farmers had strong links with their places of origin and returned more than twelve times in a year for burial ceremonies of relations, traditional festivals, meetings and marriages. Although both migrant men and women were engaged in various agricultural activities, there were significant differences in each of the various activities engaged in on the basis of gender. The study further revealed that agricultural extension has not made much contribution to the lives and agricultural production of these migrant farmers. There is therefore the need to enact agricultural extension policy that will incorporate these groups of farmers into the general clients targeted by the public extension service in the country. Key words: Igbo migrant farmers, conflicts, gender, policy, extension services

Attitude and Knowledge of Print Media Journalists towards Reporting of Climate Change News in Nigeria

Valid knowledge is important as it predisposes journalists to report with precision, yet journalists’ behaviours need to be influenced so as to increase awareness and dissemination of climate change news. The study investigated the attitude of print media journalists towards the coverage of climate change news in Nigeria. One hundred and fifty journalists who specialized in the area of science, environment and social sciences were randomly selected from ten national dailies namely: Daily Sun, Guardian, Daily Champion, ThisDay, The Nation, The Punch, Daily Times, Daily Independent, Business Day and Vanguard newspapers and interviewed. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean scores, and multiple regression. Majority of the journalists’ perceived the Internet (M= 2.67; S.D= 0.79) as being the most important source of climate information. Majority (73.1%) of the journalists lacked training in reporting climate change issues. Majority statistics of the journalists had favourable attitude towards reporting of climate change issues. Some personal characteristics, namely, sex, training in reporting climate change issues and years in service influenced journalists’ attitudes towards coverage of climate change news. The study recommended that training of agricultural communicators should receive appropriate attention in universities in order to ensure that personnel with adequate training in agriculture and communication are not in shortfall in media organizations. Key words: Climate change news, journalists’ perception and information

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. Key words: Participatory, Research, Extension, Spear grass, Technology