Assessment of the use of cocoa production management practices among cocoa farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Cocoa is an important cash crop that contributes significantly to earnings from agriculture in the Nigerian economy. Developing an enterprise in this cash crop requires the use of proper management practices. This study investigated the socioeconomic profile of the cocoa farmers; the types of management practices used among the farmers; and the constraints faced by farmers on cocoa management practices in the study area. Both purposive and simple random techniques, in a four-stage sampling procedure, were used to select one hundred and sixty cocoa farmers for the study. Descriptive statistical tools such as precision counts, frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the data; while Chi-Square analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The results showed that the respondents were predominantly male and married with majority of them having above primary school education, and mean age of 54.10 years. The mean household size was 7 persons, farm size ranged from 1.5 to 23 acres (mean = 7 acre). Planting of plantain (M=3.84), pruning (M=3.59) and regulated cutting of trees (M=3.37) were ranked high among the management practices used by the farmers. Non-availability of planting material (M=3.88) and problem of pest and diseases (M=3.74) were perceived as the major constraints facing the cocoa management practices. Chi-Square analysis showed that Level of education was significantly related to the management practices used by the cocoa farmers at r≤ 0.01. The study concluded that even though the farmers were in tune with the use of cocoa production management practices, nonetheless, there were some limiting factors such as non-availability of planting materials and pest and diseases affecting the cocoa production in the study area. It was therefore recommended that extension training for farmers should be geared towards pre-planting and post-planting management practices as well as access to adequate planting materials.Keywords: use, management practices, cocoa farmers, assessmen

Knowledge Levels of Extension Agents and their Perceived Impact of Climate Change on Extension Service Provision in Ghana

This study examined the knowledge levels of extension agents and their perceived impact of climate change on extension service provision in Ghana. Specifically, it examined awareness levels of agents on the causes, effects and methods for mitigating climate change. It also determined their perceived impact of climate on extension service delivery. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from a sample size of 192 respondents from 10 regions in Ghana who were randomly selected. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Data was further analysed qualitatively by content analysis given the prevalent use of Likert type scale analyses. The findings showed that majority of the respondents were males within the age range of 40 to 49 years, married with above 15years work experience in extension service provision. They possessed high awareness of the concept - climate change, and need for farmers to be exposed to new technology. The study concluded that extension workers have to be abreast of innovations in agriculture and there is a need for incorporation of meteorological information in extension messages to farmers. It was recommended that extension agents should embrace a more innovative and participatory approaches of providing services

Perception of community health extension services among women in a rural community in Ilorin East, Kwara State, Nigeria

Background: Rural women in developing countries, including Nigeria are faced with a number of health problems with very limited access to health care facilities. This study assessed the perception of women in rural areas on community health extension services in Ilorin, Kwara State.Methods: One hundred and twenty rural dwelling women were sampled from six rural communities selected by simple random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 18. Level of significance was set at p-value of ≤ 0.05.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 45 years and 69.3% of them were married. Over a third (36.7%) of the respondents, had no formal education and 40.0% were farmers with an average monthly income of ₦14,146.00. High awareness level on community health extension services was observed but 65.5% lived at a distance beyond 3 km from the health centers and they usually trek to the facilities. Maternal, child care services and first aid treatment were available; however, mental health was poorly ranked in terms of effectiveness of community health extension services provided in the area. Age (p<0.001) was inversely significant while educational level (r = 0.334, p < 0.01) was positively related to the frequency of availability of community health extension services.Conclusion: The respondents were aware of community health extension services, however, most of them live far from the health facilities. We recommend that Community Health Extension Workers should embark on home visits in order to improve access to health services in the rural communities.Keywords: Perception, Community Health Extension Services, Wome

Perception of concept and practice of social power in development interventions in Malawi

The study examined research participants’ perception of social power in intervention programmes in Malawi. Two districts and four villages with active participation in the intervention programmes were purposively selected. Focus group participants were purposively identified, while the snow balling procedure was employed to select key informants. A total of 375 participants consisting of 219 men and 156 women (to better explore the viewpoints of men from those of women) were drawn from the two study locations. Data were analysed by content analysis. The results showed that >98% of participants stated that power meant the ‘capacity of a social actor to influence decisions and secure compliance of other social actors. Less than 98% also perceived ‘power’ as the leadership ability of a social actor but few participants with high level of power shared this construct. Further analysis informed that power was perceived as the act of guiding fellow social actors to plan and implement activities serving common interest while another 50% of respondents perceived power as a mere potential ability to influence. Statistics however showed only 3.7% of relatively powerful social actors from agricultural extension workers and 1.3 % of sexual and reproductive health interventionists shared power as potential ability to influence way of thinking and doing. Therefore, stakeholders of development intervention should recognize experienced social actors and traditions as power indicators since these will enhance effective extension policy process aimed at development intervention among rural populace

Assessment of aquaculture development programmes in Nigeria

This paper assessed the various aquaculture development programmes of succeeding Nigerian Government. It particularly focused on the Fish Seed Multiplication Project (FSMP) and the pilot Fish Farm Project (PFFP); drawing lessons from their implementation. Literature review was carried out using reports of Federal Ministry of Agriculture as well as agricultural institutions for this analysis. Poor growth rate in fishery output as well as unavailability and inadequate access to modern fish-farming technologies was found to be the major challenges confronting the Nigerian aquaculture development. The paper concludes that despite some noteworthy efforts of government interventions in the fisheries sub-sector of the Nigeria economy; the growth rates of fishery output have been relatively low as manifested in the large importation of fish over the years. It recommends a proper exploitation of the aquaculture system by ensuring fish-farmers’ access to modern fish-farming technologies through policy instrument

Assessment of livelihood activities of rural farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

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Factors associated with treatment gap in children and adolescents with epilepsy in a rural Nigerian community.

Background: The campaign against epilepsy is hampered by the difference between those with the active disorder and the number of them receiving appropriate treatment (treatment gap) in sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying the determinants of this gap is crucial to providing and achieving optimal care.Objective: To identify the determinants of epilepsy treatment gap (ETG) in children and adolescents (Subjects) with epilepsy in a rural community.Methods: Subjects were identified through a community house to house survey. Information obtained from Subjects and their care givers included: sociodemographic characteristics, type and frequency of epileptic seizures,current and past treatment options utilized, reasons for treatment options used, and treatment options utilized for other health complaints.Results: Twenty three Subjects (6.4/1000 of the child and adolescent population) were identified as having epilepsy. Their age range was 4-19 years (mean 14.3±4.7 years). Most were males (82.6%) and adolescents (78.3%). Seizures were mostly generalized (95.7%) and occurred most frequently daily. Current treatment modalities were use of traditional medication (100%) and prayers (34.8%).None was currently on orthodox medical therapy (ETG, 100%) but 5(21.7%) had utilized orthodox medical therapy in the past. The main determinants of the ETG were strong cultural belief, weakness in the health system to epilepsy treatment and low socioeconomic status. Fever was the commonest other health complaint and use of orthodox medical therapy was significantly (p˂ 0.05) the main (16, 69.6%) treatment option utilized.Conclusion: Cultural belief, weak health system and low socioeconomic status were determinants of an absolute ETG. It highlights the need to strengthen initiatives that enhance accessibility to standard epilepsy treatment.Key words: Epilepsy treatmentgap, determinants, children, adolescents, rural communit

A Measure of Pastoralist Women’s Vulnerability to the Impact of Seasonality: Evidence from Nigeria

This paper examines factors that predispose pastoralist women to social and environmental vulnerability and how the women cope with their livelihoods when their husbands relocate with cattle during dry season. The paper adopts a case study research design to select Kwara State of Nigeria where focus groups discussions and interviews were held to elicit information. It was found that food insecurity, low incomes, seasonal changes, conflict, and culture deter women from sustaining a well-being. The study recommends that organisations and policy makers should capitalise on indigenous knowledge when designing measures to reduce people’s vulnerability as this would enhance their livelihood sustainability

Assessment of Aquaculture Development Programmes in Nigeria

This paper assessed the various aquaculture development programmes of succeeding Nigerian Government. It particularly focused on the Fish Seed Multiplication Project (FSMP) and the pilot Fish Farm Project (PFFP); drawing lessons from their implementation. Literature review was carried out using reports of Federal Ministry of Agriculture as well as agricultural institutions for this analysis. Poor growth rate in fishery output as well as unavailability and inadequate access to modern fish-farming technologies was found to be the major challenges confronting the Nigerian aquaculture development. The paper concludes that despite some noteworthy efforts of government interventions in the fisheries sub-sector of the Nigeria economy; the growth rates of fishery output have been relatively low as manifested in the large importation of fish over the years. It recommends a proper exploitation of the aquaculture system by ensuring fish-farmers’ access to modern fish-farming technologies through policy instrument