WOMEN`S PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING AMONG FARM FAMILIES IN YEWA NORTH AREA OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated women`s participation in decision making among farm families in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was employed in the selection of 105 respondents from registered female group farmers in the eight(8) cells as clas- sified by the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP). Structured interview schedule was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as fre- quency distribution and percentages while inferential statistics such as chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that all the respondents were married; majority had formal education, various types of decisions were made by women ranging from nutrition, education, social, planning and budgeting. Women’s attitude towards decision making was favourable. motivational factors that could enhance women’s participation were achievements, educational, economic occupational statuses, personal interest,responsibility and recognitions, e t.c., Problems militating against rural women’s participation in decision making were studied. and socio-.economic characteristics were not 2 significant statistically, but household characteristics, such as, family size, (x =34.26), no of wives 2 2 2 (x =15.36), position as wife (x =21.50), and problems (x =27.95) were found to be significant at 0.05% with their level of participation in decision-making.

INDIGENOUS LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN EGBA ZONE OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed the management of indigenous livestock in Egba zone of Ogun State using one hundred and forty four farmers and twenty Village Extension Agents. Data were collected with interview schedule and questionnaire respectively. The study revealed that indigenous livestock farmers were of average age of 48 years, mostly (77.8%) native of these communities sampled and literate (63.2%), more female (58.3%) and they were not cosmopolite (83.3%). Poultry, sheep and goats are mostly kept by indigenous livestock farmers, followed by cattle and pig, snail and rabbit by a few farmers. Most (66.7%) farmers raised their livestock on free range while few provided feeding and housing for their animals. Local materials were used for feeding, housing, and ethno-veterinary care for animals. Livestock farmers earned an average of twenty one thousand seven hundred and fifty naira monthly from their animals. The materials livestock farmers used included pawpaw seeds for deworming, lime and sandpaper leaf to control lice, sulphur, lime and palm oil to control mange; Iyeye leaves [Spondia mombin] for treatment of diarrhea in ruminants. Communication methods used in the diffusion of ethno-veterinary practices were town criers, traditional songs and festivals, folk tales, use of signs and symbols, life dramas and face-to-face interpersonal media while the sources of information were extension agents, community leaders, fellow farmers, neighbours, livestock traders, and farmers` union. Most important information came from fellow farmers. Indigenous livestock farmers should be involved in research and extension planning and regular visits to farmers by village extension agents is recommended. &nbsp

Women`s Participation in Decision making among Farm Families in Yewa North Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

The study investigated women`s participation in decision making among farm families in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was employed in the selection of 105 respondents from registered female group farmers in the eight(8) cells as classified by the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP). Structured interview schedule was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentages while inferential statistics such as chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that all the respondents were married; majority had formal education, various types of decisions were made by women ranging from nutrition, education, social, planning and budgeting. Women’s attitude towards decision making was favourable. motivational factors that could enhance women’s participation were achievements, educational, economic occupational  statuses, personal interest,responsibility and recognitions, e t.c., Problems militating against rural women’s participation in decision making were studied. and socio-.economic characteristics were not significant statistically, but household characteristics, such as, family size, (x2=34.26), no of wives (x2=15.36), position as wife (x2=21.50), and problems (x2=27.95) were found to be significant at 0.05% with their level of participation in decision-making.. &nbsp

Utilization Of Cocoyam In Rural Households In Southwestern Nigeria

Cocoyam is a traditional crop and a cultural foodstuff in Nigeria. It has not received much research attention in spite of its great adaptability to varying farming systems and its nutritive and commercial food values. The crop is a yam substitute that occupies an inferior food status in the study area. It is mainly cultivated by women and in most cases planted as an intercrop in a previously established farm. It is, therefore, regarded as a lazy man’s crop and consequently a poor man’s food. The aim of this study was to revive the acceptability of cocoyam as foodstuff in order to solve the food crisis, which Nigeria has been experiencing since 1978. A structured interview schedule was used to obtain information from randomly selected 322 respondents from 24 cocoyam producing communities in four states in the region: Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun and Lagos states. The question items included personal and socio-economic characteristics of respondents and cocoyam utilization. The data were described using frequency counts, means and percentages while multiple regression analysis was used as inferential statistics to determine the relationship of the independent variables to the dependent variable. Results revealed that 64% of the respondents were males and 84% were married. Their ages ranged from 20-70 years with a mean of 44±16 years. About 68% of them were literate with 58% of their spouses literate. They were mostly (39%) farmers and artisans (12%) with no secondary occupation, only 28% of the farmers produced cocoyam but almost all (97%) of the respondents consumed cocoyam. Cocoyam was utilized in 24 different ways in three categories of unprocessed solid, processed solid and powder in the study area and utilization level was 20%. The multiple regression analysis was significant at p< 0.05 and R=0.3469, meaning that the independent variable:socio-economic characteristics had jointly accounted for 35% of cocoyam utilization level. F value was 5.334. The variables that contributed positively to utilization level were producers of cocoyam, sources of cocoyam and cocoyam being brought home from journey while cosmopolitan, flexibility on food choice and decision makers on menu contributed negatively. Commercial processing of cocoyam to flour for baking, canned foods, baby food formulae and other cocoyam products are recommended to increase utilization. Farmers were advised to increase cocoyam production in the study area

Influence of environmental factors on fish production in Ogun-State, Nigeria.

The study investigated environmental factors influencing fish farming in Ijebu - Ode Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun-state, Nigeria. Data were obtained from 50 respondents selected from 10 ponds in the area of study. Respondents were selected for the study using random sampling technique while the ponds observed for the study were purposively selected based on pronounced fisheries activities there. Information was received from the respondents through structured interview schedule which was earlier subjected to face validity and reliability tests (r =0.83). The results revealed that environmental factors affecting fish farming in the area of study included climatic factors (85%); nature of bottom soil (80%),water medium factors; feed and feeding procedure (60%); stocking of pond (24%), nature of physical environment (36%) and cultural environment (84%). The Chi-square test of relationship between demographic characteristics and perception of environmental factors revealed significant relationship between &#967;2 = 16; p 0.05; Marital Status &#967;2 = 10.32; p>0.05). [JEXT Vol.3 2002: 69-75

Assessment of domestic water supply situation in rural communities in Ijebu-North area of Ogun State, Nigeria

Water is needed by man for the sustenance of life and it is the second most important natural resource used by man after the air were breathe. Man survives longer without food than without water. The socio-economic development of man is determined partly by the availability of water. The supply of safe pipe-borne water in Nigeria is associated with the urban centres while the majority of the rural areas are without reasonable access to safe water supply. The domestic water supply situation in Ijebu-North Area was studied using one hundred and fifty respondents from five rural communities randomly sampled and interviewed for the study. The result indicated that only three percent (3%) of the people have access to clean and safe pipe-borne water while the remaining 97% relied on streams, rain water, wells and springs for their domestic uses. Only 26% of the people had water supply within their houses while 47% of the rural dwellers trek for over an hour to fetch drinking water. Chi-square analysis revealed that the rural dwellers had to reduce their rate of water consumption as a result of having to trek long distances before getting safe water supply but at other times made use of water available whether contaminated or not. The long hours spent in searching for water could have been judiciously spent on productive work if the people can be assisted to repair the broken down bore holes, teach them how to maintain these boreholes and also treat their other unsafe sources of water supply. [JEXT Vol.2(1) 2001: 81-87

Students Participation in School Farming Activities (SFAS) in Ikorodu Area of Lagos State, Nigeria

Agricultural self-reliance can be achieved through revitalizing the desire of youths for farming and regenerating the interest of the adolescent in farm work. The study was conducted to determine the level of participation of secondary school students in farming activities. One hundred Senior Secondary Students were sampled and the data analyzed with descriptive statistics. Sixty (60%) percent rated themselves as having enough knowledge and mastery of the subject matter to succeed in Agricultural profession. Consequently sixty-three (63%) percent were motivated to offer the course by their teachers while others were influenced by their parents, friends and farmers around. Nevertheless, sixty-two (62%) percent have their own farms at home only twenty-eight (28%) percent were interested in taking up farming as a career. Agricultural Science teachers were urged to show more dedication to the practical agriculture to motivate students and develop their interest in agricultural profession as a career