Comparative Economic Analysis of Rainy and Dry Season Maize Production among Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

The study focused on the comparative Economic Analysis of Rainy and Dry Seasons’ maize production among farmers in Ekiti State of Nigeria. The main objective of the study is to analyze the economics of rainy and dry seasons maize production in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select one hundred and ten farmers who produce maize during rainy and dry seasons in the study area. Instrument of data collection was via well-structured and pre-tested questionnaire. The results of the analysis show that the mean age of the farmers was 39.2 years and greater proportion of the respondents (87.3%) were married. The average household size was 7 persons and majority of the respondents (84.5%) were male. The mean age of farming experience was 17.3 years and large proportions of the respondents (80.9%) were literates. The result further reveal that production efficiency of maize during the rainy season was higher than that of the dry season in the study area with the total annual revenue of N2,016,442.12 and N1,806,592.43 respectively. The results of the regression analysis shows that f-statistics for both rainy and dry season maize production were 8.380 and 37.851 respectively with probability values of 0.000 indicating that farmers socio-economic characteristics such as age, income, level of education, jointly had influence on maize yield. The major constraints to maize production during the rainy season were disease and pests infestations and dry season maize production witnessed poor weather conditions. An inadequate credit facility was the main problem confronting rainy and dry season maize production. The study therefore recommends that maize producers should be encouraged at all seasons through the provision of improved farm inputs subsidized rate, repairs of bad roads by the government, provision of credit facilities through farmers cooperative group will also enhance production efficiency of maize in the study area

Gender Assessment of Computer and Internet Usage among Student Teachers in Ekiti State Tertiary Institutions

The study investigates the usage of computer and Internet resources (IR) among 240 student teachers randomly selected from the Ekiti State University and College of Education Ikere, using a validated questionnaire. Data analysis involves the use of frequency counts, percentages as well as Likert-type scale. Findings show a high level of awareness of online resources among the student teachers; however, the men were more informed than the women. The Ekiti State University students, irrespective of gender, have access to the use of most internet resources than their counterparts from the college of education. Smart phones and computers from Internet café were the major sources of access to IR while Networking, Music and educational resources recorded the highest usage of IR. The majority of the students are not versed in computer usage as they access to it in the classrooms and homes. The significant challenges of internet resource usage witnessed, (irrespective of gender) are; inadequate power supply; lack of computer skills among teachers; poor internet connectivity, lack of skilled manpower and financial constraints. The study recommends the need to review the educational curriculum and integrate Computer and Internet usage into the teacher’s education. The Ekiti State Government and voluntary Organizations should extend the distribution of computers to the higher institutions in the state. The female student teachers should be encouraged to increase their usage of internet resources. Students from the college of education should be encouraged to utilize internet resources to enhance their performance in the classroom and global economic transformation. Keywords: Gender, Internet Usage, Internet Resoources, Student Teachers

Women Farmers Organisations’ Perceived Effect of Child Labour Activities in Oyo West Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Child labour is prevalent worldwide, occurring both in developing and developed countries. It is estimated that about 352 million children are engaged in some form of economic activity in the world. Estimates of the number of children at full work in developing countries were put at 120 million and those combining working and schooling at 250 million. In extreme forms or cases, child labour iinvolves children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses and left to fend for themselves on the streets of large cities at a very early age. The study examined the perceived effect of child labour by women farmers organisation in Oyo West Local Government area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Simple random technique was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) respondents from the three major communities in the study area. The result of the study revealed a significant relationship between income and the factors associated with child labour activities among the respondents (r = 0.54). Since it has been observed that the respondents had a low income capability, the study recommends that there is need for government to intensify efforts in finding solutions to the issue of poverty eradication of child labour activities. Keywords: Child Labour, Agriculture, Perceived effect of activities