Information Needs and Challenges of Agricultural Researchers and Extension Workers in Edo State, Nigeria

This study investigated information needs and challenges of agricultural researchers and extension workers in Edo State, Nigeria. Proportionate sampling technique was used to select 106 respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The majority (71.6 %) of respondents indicated their need for information with respect to climate change and adaptation measures (71.6 %). Extension workers communicated more with agricultural researchers monthly (77.5 %). Lack of office-wide internet connectivity (2.06±1.08), unstable power supply (2.05±1.07), and non-subscription to relevant online resources by employer (2.05±1.07) inhibited respondents from meeting their information needs. The study recommends that to enhance knowledge sharing among researchers and extension workers, there is need for research institutes and state government to develop electronic repositories for their research outputs as this will further help other agricultural stakeholders to access local contents immediately

Beneficiaries’ Perception of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme Implemented by the University of Nigeria Nsukka in Enugu State, Nigeria

This study assessed beneficiaries’ perception of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme activities in Enugu State. The study sought to ascertain participants' perception on the effectiveness of programme, as well as identified participants' level of satisfaction with its implementation and also determined possible constraints to its implementation. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to sample 80% of the participants of the programme i.e. 87 persons. Data were collected using interview schedule and analyzed using mean statistics. Participants perceived that the type of personnel used for the programme operations (= 2.55), the farmers’ sensitization process in preparation for the programme (=2.25) and use of mobile phone in disseminating information on the programme activities (=2.18) were effective in the programme implementation. Participants were satisfied with the method of information dissemination on the WAAPP activities (=2.22) as well as the farmers sensitization processes on the programme activities (=2.12). The major constraints militating against effective implementation /utilization of WAAPP programme were insufficient credit facilities (=2.62) and inadequate funding attached to each package of the project (=2.59). The study recommends that government should increase farmers’ involvement in the planning and implementation of future projects as this will go a long way in making them better

Beneficiaries’ Perception of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme Implemented by the University of Nigeria Nsukka in Enugu State, Nigeria

This study assessed beneficiaries’ perception of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme activities in Enugu State. The study sought to ascertain participants' perception on the effectiveness of programme, as well as identified participants' level of satisfaction with its implementation and also determined possible constraints to its implementation. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to sample 80% of the participants of the programme i.e. 87 persons. Data were collected using interview schedule and analyzed using mean statistics. Participants perceived that the type of personnel used for the programme operations (= 2.55), the farmers’ sensitization process in preparation for the programme (=2.25) and use of mobile phone in disseminating information on the programme activities (=2.18) were effective in the programme implementation. Participants were satisfied with the method of information dissemination on the WAAPP activities (=2.22) as well as the farmers sensitization processes on the programme activities (=2.12). The major constraints militating against effective implementation /utilization of WAAPP programme were insufficient credit facilities (=2.62) and inadequate funding attached to each package of the project (=2.59). The study recommends that government should increase farmers’ involvement in the planning and implementation of future projects as this will go a long way in making them better

Challenges of Youths Involved in Fish Farming in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

This study determined the challenges of youths involved in fish farming inthe Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select and interview a total of 54 youth fish farmers from18 villages in three area councils of the FCT, Abuja. Results of the analysis were presented using percentage, frequency counts, and mean scores. Results reveal that majority (57.4%) of the respondents had fish farming as their major occupation. The major species of fish farmed in the area was Clariasgariepinus (African Catfish). Other types included Heterobranchusspp (Sampa catfish), Heteroclariasspp (a hybrid of Clariasgariepinus and Heterobranchusspp), Tilapia spp (tilapia) and Cyprinuscarpio (carp). The majority (87%) of respondents adopted the monoculture system of fish production. However, the major challenges faced by the youths were high cost of feed (=2.76) and poor access to credit facilities (=2.17). The farmers’ perceived solutions to the challenges wereaccess to loans and grants, provision of feed subsidy, access to affordable land, provision of infrastructure (such as good roads, better markets, and better power supply), proper training of fish farmers on management practices, increased research and extension services. The study points to the need for public-private partnership intervention geared towards improving the entrepreneurial drive of the youths through focused training and other empowerment activities to enable them address the challenges facing fish farmers in the area

Catfish Farmers Perception of Training Effectiveness of the University of Nigeria-West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme

The study assessed farmers’ perception of the effectiveness of UNN-WAAPP training on catfish production around the University of Nigeria catchment area in Enugu State. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 42 respondents across four town communities that benefited from the project in Nsukka agricultural zone, while structured interview schedule were used to elicit information from the respondents. Results of the study revealed that although the majority of the respondents indicated that they received training on areas of catfish production such as; feeding (100%), pond fertilization (90.5%) and pond water treatment (88.1%), among others, but a lesser proportion (19.0%) of them received training on feed formulation, which is a key area in catfish production. Based on their level of satisfaction with the training received, the farmers indicated that they were satisfied in the following areas of training: feeding (M=1.83), pond water management (M=1.55) and pond maintenance (M=1.33), among others. However, the farmers were not satisfied with the training on preservation (M=0.95), pond construction (M=0.86) and feed formulation (M=0.17). With respect to the respondents’ perception on the effectiveness of the training programme as regards trainers’ performance, organization and administration, the respondents indicated that it was effective in terms of the communication methods used by the trainers (M=1.83), asking and answering questions clearly (M=1.74) and use of relevant examples to illustrate training activities (M=1.71), among others. In order to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of farmers involved in catfish production, there is need for additional training in key areas of catfish production such as feed formulation and pond construction in order to achieve the aim of the project which is focused on improving the wealth status of participating communities

Challenges and opportunities for ICT adoption in agricultural extension

With the majority of extension personnel in Nigeria having access to computers, telephones and radio equipment, more farmers are being reached with agricultural information than ever before. However, challenges of inclusion and affordability remain

Challenges of Youths Involved in Fish Farming in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

This study determined the challenges of youths involved in fish farming inthe Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select and interview a total of 54 youth fish farmers from18 villages in three area councils of the FCT, Abuja. Results of the analysis were presented using percentage, frequency counts, and mean scores. Results reveal that majority (57.4%) of the respondents had fish farming as their major occupation. The major species of fish farmed in the area was Clariasgariepinus (African Catfish). Other types included Heterobranchusspp (Sampa catfish), Heteroclariasspp (a hybrid of Clariasgariepinus and Heterobranchusspp), Tilapia spp (tilapia) and Cyprinuscarpio (carp). The majority (87%) of respondents adopted the monoculture system of fish production. However, the major challenges faced by the youths were high cost of feed (=2.76) and poor access to credit facilities (=2.17). The farmers’ perceived solutions to the challenges wereaccess to loans and grants, provision of feed subsidy, access to affordable land, provision of infrastructure (such as good roads, better markets, and better power supply), proper training of fish farmers on management practices, increased research and extension services. The study points to the need for public-private partnership intervention geared towards improving the entrepreneurial drive of the youths through focused training and other empowerment activities to enable them address the challenges facing fish farmers in the area

Farmers’ Perceived Effectiveness of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme in Kogi State Nigeria

The Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme initiated by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2012 is one of the many critical components of the federal government's Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA). It was designed for the specific purpose of providing affordable agricultural inputs like fertilizers and hybrid seeds to farmers in order to increase yields per hectare and make them comparable to world standard. The scheme, represents a policy and pragmatic shift within the existing fertilizer market stabilization programme. It puts the resource-constrained farmer at the centre through the provision of a series of incentives to encourage the critical actors in the fertilizer value chain to work together to improve productivity, household food security and income of the farmer. This study determined farmers’ perceptions of the Scheme in Kogi State, Nigeria. A total of 120 scheme participants were purposively selected and interviewed from 12 communities of six local government areas. The results revealed that a majority of the respondents had access to agriculture-related information. The major crops grown in the area included maize, cassava and rice. The respondents had a very high knowledge of the schemes’ activities and the major source of information on the scheme activities was extension agents. A good number of respondents had positive perceptions of the scheme’s operational process and were equally satisfied with some implementation processes of the scheme. However, the major constraints to effective implementation of the scheme included untimely input provision, inability to still pay for the subsidized inputs by the farmers and inability to purchase mobile phones (which were critical for success of the scheme). The study points to the need for early inputs provisions to farmers as farming operations are time bound. Other suggestions are the provision of mobile phones, creation of more redemption centres along with construction of feeder roads in order to facilitate the effective operations of the scheme, as well as early registration of participants. There is a need to focus attention on encouraging more women to participate in the scheme in order to achieve its main objective of increased productivity and household food security

Farmers’ Perceived Effectiveness of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme in Kogi State Nigeria

The Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme initiated by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2012 is one of the many critical components of the federal government's Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA). It was designed for the specific purpose of providing affordable agricultural inputs like fertilizers and hybrid seeds to farmers in order to increase yields per hectare and make them comparable to world standard. The scheme, represents a policy and pragmatic shift within the existing fertilizer market stabilization programme. It puts the resource-constrained farmer at the centre through the provision of a series of incentives to encourage the critical actors in the fertilizer value chain to work together to improve productivity, household food security and income of the farmer. This study determined farmers’ perceptions of the Scheme in Kogi State, Nigeria. A total of 120 scheme participants were purposively selected and interviewed from 12 communities of six local government areas. The results revealed that a majority of the respondents had access to agriculture-related information. The major crops grown in the area included maize, cassava and rice. The respondents had a very high knowledge of the schemes’ activities and the major source of information on the scheme activities was extension agents. A good number of respondents had positive perceptions of the scheme’s operational process and were equally satisfied with some implementation processes of the scheme. However, the major constraints to effective implementation of the scheme included untimely input provision, inability to still pay for the subsidized inputs by the farmers and inability to purchase mobile phones (which were critical for success of the scheme). The study points to the need for early inputs provisions to farmers as farming operations are time bound. Other suggestions are the provision of mobile phones, creation of more redemption centres along with construction of feeder roads in order to facilitate the effective operations of the scheme, as well as early registration of participants. There is a need to focus attention on encouraging more women to participate in the scheme in order to achieve its main objective of increased productivity and household food security

Les TIC pour l'agriculture, entre défis et opportunités

Les technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC) désignent l'ensemble des technologies utilisées pour traiter l'information et faciliter la communication. Elles permettent aux individus de collecter, créer et diffuser l'information par différents moyens : la voix, le texte ou l'image. Aujourd'hui, toutes les activités humaines sont touchées par la révolution des TIC. L'agriculture ne fait pas exception, notamment dans les pays ACP où la prise de conscience est grandissante quant à l'importance de l'accès à l'information