Assessment of Farmers (Women)’ Access to Agricultural Extension, Inputs and Credit Facility in Sabon-Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State

This study examines the accessibility of women to three main production inputs namely: Farm inputs (fertilizers, modern technology, improved seed etc), Credit facility and Contact with extension agents. Structured interview schedule, personal observation and analysis of records were used to collect information for the study. The findings revealed that women in the study area were engaged in farming activities such as crop production and rearing of livestock. Traditional technology is still the practice among women farmers. Majority of the women sampled were small-scale farmers with low level of income and education. Women interviewed complained of lack of access to farm inputs, credit facilities and contact with extension workers, the situation which has constrained them from investing in agricultural production. The study recommended that women farmers should be given incentives, particularly in the area of production inputs (credit facilities, fertilizer, and improved seeds among others) and educational opportunities

Assessment of Factors Influencing Beneficiary Participation in Fadama II Project in Niger State, Nigeria

The paper investigated factors influencing beneficiary participation in Fadama II project in Niger State. Three LGAs out of eleven LGAs that benefited in Fadama II project were randomly selected for the study. To this end, one Fadama Community Association (FCA) and five Fadama User Groups (FUGs) were randomly selected from each LGA that benefited. Five beneficiaries were also randomly sampled from each FUG. Seventy five (75) beneficiaries were randomly sampled for the study. Descriptive statistics and logit regression model were used to analyze the data collected. However, large proportion of the beneficiaries participated in problem identification (69.3%) and project implementation (80%) in the stages of project development. Women participation in Fadama II project was identified to be low (28.0%). Meanwhile, educational level and membership of cooperative society significantly influenced participation (P < 0.01). Household size was a positive factor that significantly influenced participation (P < 0.05) in Fadama II project in the study area.Keywords: Fadama II Project, Beneficiary, Participation, Fadama Community Association, Fadama User GroupNigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (2011), 19 (2): 248-25

The Characteristics of Blood Glucose and WBC Counts in Peripheral Blood of Cases of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease in China: A Systematic Review

Background: Outbreaks of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) have occurred in many parts of the world especially in China. We aimed to summarize the characteristics of the levels of blood glucose and white blood cell (WBC) counts in cases of HFMD in Mainland China and Taiwan, using meta-analysis based on systematic review of published articles. Methods: We systematically reviewed published studies, from the MEDLINE and WANFANG Data, about the levels of blood glucose and WBC counts in cases of HFMD until 15 th June 2011, and quantitatively summarized the characteristics of them using meta-analysis. Results: In total, 37 studies were included in this review. In Mainland China and Taiwan, generally, the average level of blood glucose, the prevalence of hyperglycemia, WBC counts and the prevalence of leukocytosis increased with the severity of the illness. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of leukocytosis between ANS (autonomic nervous system dysregulation)/PE (pulmonary edema) group and CNS (central nervous system) group, and in the average level of blood glucose between healthy controls and mild cases of HFMD. WBC counts in cases infected by EV71 were less than those in cases infected by CA16. Conclusions: our analyses indicated that blood glucose and WBC counts increased with the severity of HFMD disease, which would help doctors to manage patients efficiently

Use of Information and Communication Technologies among Extension Agents In Kano State, Nigeria

The study assessed the use of ICTs among extension agents in Kano State Nigeria. Two hundred and twenty-one (221) extension agents were randomly selected from the 44 local government areas. Data for the study were obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire administered to extension agents. Majority of extension agents were in the age range of 41-50 years. Majority (87.3%) of them were males and married (100%), with family sizes of 5-14 (53.95%). The entire extension agents had formal education including HND (35.8%), OND (33.3%) and secondary school certificate (27.2%). Most of the extension agents had an annual income of N100,000-N300,000, with N376,984 as mean. They were aware and had access to radio, television, telephone, DVD, video, camera, computer, satellite and printer. They however recorded a low usage of the Web, satellite, e-mail, CD-ROM, search engines, scanner, fax and Web publishing. The result also indicates a positive correlation between ICT use and socio-economic characteristics of the agents; including age, work experience, membership of agricultural associations (p<0.05). It was concluded that the benefits of the ICTs were not fully utilized by extension workers in the state due to some factors associated with low income, ICTs training, awareness and access.Keywords: Information, Communication, Technologies, Extension Agent