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

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

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

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 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 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

Analysis of vulnerabilty and access to extension services for pastoralist women in northern Nigeria : a case study of Kwara State

Nigeria is an agrarian country with the northern region prone to droughts; despite this pastoralism is an important source of livelihood of the inhabitants. Due to scarcity of water and grazing land, pastoralists migrate to greener areas in search of pasture, leaving their families behind. As a result, women in pastoralist households engage in a variety of economic activities to supplement family incomes. This study investigates the economic dimensions of pastoralist women's livelihoods, their coping and adaptive strategies and the role of extension in supporting their livelihoods. The study was carried out in Kwara State, Nigeria M an area where pastoralists have settled. The research adopted a mixed methods approach, employing qualitative and quantitative research tools. 169 participants were randomly drawn using a multi-stage sampling procedure. From these participants, questionnaire surveys (63 women and 25 extension agents), focus group discussions (58 women), key informant and in-depth interviews (13 people), and daily activity profile charts (10 women) were used to elicit information. Gender analysis frameworks were also used to analyse the data. It was found that women process milk into cheese, and this serves as their major source of income. The study established that pastoralist women lack productive resources such as land, livestock, capital, and infrastructure. This predisposes them to environmental, time, physical and social vulnerabilities. Extension service is limited among pastoral communities due to marginalisation, inappropriate extension service approaches and models, and cultural challenges. The study recommends a demand-driven participatory approach of extension service provision and employment of female extensionists to address the problems of extension approaches and culture. The study concludes that adequate extension can enhance women's socio-economic empowerment.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Assessment of Training Needs of N-Power Agro-Beneficiaries In Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract Nigeria government had embarked on different programs, which N-power scheme is one of them, aimed for youth empowerments to contribute positively to national Development. Training is essential in for effectiveness and better service delivery. This study therefore assessed the training needs of beneficiaries in Kwara State. Simple random sampling was used to select 216 respondents using a structured questionnaire to collect data and descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used to analyze the data. Training of respondents was assessed using job/task, and skill gap analysis. Results showed that most (72.1%) preferred online media platform while pre-service (65.2%) was the major training received. Findings indicated that there is positive significant relationship between the socio-economic characteristics and the effect of the training received by the respondents. The study concluded that N-agro beneficiaries have not been undergoing adequate capacity building training and therefore recommend a consistent training for better productivity.   Keywords: Empowerment, Training, Capacity development, Human resources, Productivit

Training needs of N-Power Agro-beneficiaries in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study assessed the training needs of N-Power Agro beneficiaries in Kwara State. Simple random sampling was used to select 216 respondents using a questionnaire to collect data while percentages, mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used to analyze the data. Training of respondents was assessed using job/task and skill gap analysis. Results showed that rules and regulation governing the job (x̅ = 5.69), knowledge acquisition (x̅ =1.99), field practices (x̅ =1.70), record keeping (x̅ =1.69), and extension service delivery methods (x̅ =1.59) were the areas where training were needed. Extension service delivery methods (x̅ =3.17) was identified as the only gap which training could address. It was found that age (r=0.341), sex (r=0.095) and educational status (r=0.180) were favorable socioeconomic factors determining training needs of respondents at p≤0.05 level of significance. A significant gap exists in what the beneficiaries already know and what they now need to know as they have not been undergoing adequate capacity building training; hence there is a dire need for intensive training to cover the existing gaps for effective productivity of the N-agro beneficiaries in Kwara State