Gender Analysis of Mobile Phones Utilization For Agricultural Services Among Farmers In Kwara State, Nigeria

The study analyzed the use of mobiles phones for agricultural services among farming household in Kwara State Nigeria through the gender lens. These objectives were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and multivariate Probit model. Data were obtained from 181 respondents, comprising 96 male farmers and 85 female farmers using a multi-stage sampling procedure, Results reveal the mean age of the male farmers and female farmers as 45 years and 36 years respectively; their average annual income for male and female farmers were ₦307,057.97 and ₦256,057.69 respectively, Although, male farmers have greater access to land, extension contact, and vast experience in farming than their female counterparts it was confirmed from the results that the level of usage of mobile phones for agricultural services among both gender is high with a mean score of 2.1 for males and 2.0 for females. Male farmers use phones for access to timely and reliable information to support farmers decision making, while majority of the female farmers prefer using their mobile phones in cutting down on travel cost. It was concluded age, household size, years of schooling, income per annum, years of farming experience, and farm size of each gender was a critical factor that influence positively the level of utilization of mobile phones for agricultural services. Policies that address access to the use of mobile phones and other digital technologies for agricultural services should be gender smart

Adoption of Bio-security Measures against Avian-Influenza Outbreaks among Poultry Farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract The study examined the adoption of selected bio-security measures against avian-influenza (HPAI-A/H5N1) outbreaks among poultry farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents selected through a multistage sampling procedure were used for the study. The study revealed that the majority (92.5%) of the respondents were males, with a mean age of 24 years and an average household size of 5 persons. More than half (58.3%) of the poultry farmers have been exposed to one form of formal education or the other, had average farming experience of 13 years while their mean monthly income was N26, 075.00. Also, the majority (91.7%) of the respondents had an average flock size of about 411 birds, were members of a social group (84.2%) and had no extension contact (84.2%). The most prominent sources of awareness on Avian Influenza were; Co-farmers/farmers group (=3.711), followed by Radio programme and marketers of poultry products (M=3.523). Furthermore, the study revealed that there was high level of adoption on biosecurity measures of segregation and traffic control (M=2.820), medium level of adoption for cleaning (M=2.440) and low level of adoption for disinfection of the standard bio-security components (M=1.290). There was a significant relationship between some socio-economic characteristics (age, average monthly income, farming experience and membership of social group) and adoption of bio-security measures of poultry farmers. The highly severe constraints of the poultry farmers were poor extension/veterinary contact, lack of Buffer Areas around the farm site and inadequate access to fund.  Provision of accessible credit facilities, pro-active extension services with continuous training and constant veterinary services for poultry farmers in the study area towards increased capability to prevent and eradicate the negative effect of this acute and highly contagious viral disease on their means of livelihood thus ensuring an improved and sustainable poultry production. Keywords: Adoption of bio-security, avian-influenza, outbreak, poultry farmers

Adoption of Bio-security Measures against Avian-Influenza Outbreaks among Poultry Farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract The study examined the adoption of selected bio-security measures against avian-influenza (HPAI-A/H5N1) outbreaks among poultry farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents selected through a multistage sampling procedure were used for the study. The study revealed that the majority (92.5%) of the respondents were males, with a mean age of 24 years and an average household size of 5 persons. More than half (58.3%) of the poultry farmers have been exposed to one form of formal education or the other, had average farming experience of 13 years while their mean monthly income was N26, 075.00. Also, the majority (91.7%) of the respondents had an average flock size of about 411 birds, were members of a social group (84.2%) and had no extension contact (84.2%). The most prominent sources of awareness on Avian Influenza were; Co-farmers/farmers group (=3.711), followed by Radio programme and marketers of poultry products (M=3.523). Furthermore, the study revealed that there was high level of adoption on biosecurity measures of segregation and traffic control (M=2.820), medium level of adoption for cleaning (M=2.440) and low level of adoption for disinfection of the standard bio-security components (M=1.290). There was a significant relationship between some socio-economic characteristics (age, average monthly income, farming experience and membership of social group) and adoption of bio-security measures of poultry farmers. The highly severe constraints of the poultry farmers were poor extension/veterinary contact, lack of Buffer Areas around the farm site and inadequate access to fund.  Provision of accessible credit facilities, pro-active extension services with continuous training and constant veterinary services for poultry farmers in the study area towards increased capability to prevent and eradicate the negative effect of this acute and highly contagious viral disease on their means of livelihood thus ensuring an improved and sustainable poultry production. Keywords: Adoption of bio-security, avian-influenza, outbreak, poultry farmers

Adoption of Bio-security Measures against Avian-Influenza Outbreaks among Poultry Farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract The study examined the adoption of selected bio-security measures against avian-influenza (HPAI-A/H5N1) outbreaks among poultry farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents selected through a multistage sampling procedure were used for the study. The study revealed that the majority (92.5%) of the respondents were males, with a mean age of 24 years and an average household size of 5 persons. More than half (58.3%) of the poultry farmers have been exposed to one form of formal education or the other, had average farming experience of 13 years while their mean monthly income was N26, 075.00. Also, the majority (91.7%) of the respondents had an average flock size of about 411 birds, were members of a social group (84.2%) and had no extension contact (84.2%). The most prominent sources of awareness on Avian Influenza were; Co-farmers/farmers group (=3.711), followed by Radio programme and marketers of poultry products (M=3.523). Furthermore, the study revealed that there was high level of adoption on biosecurity measures of segregation and traffic control (M=2.820), medium level of adoption for cleaning (M=2.440) and low level of adoption for disinfection of the standard bio-security components (M=1.290). There was a significant relationship between some socio-economic characteristics (age, average monthly income, farming experience and membership of social group) and adoption of bio-security measures of poultry farmers. The highly severe constraints of the poultry farmers were poor extension/veterinary contact, lack of Buffer Areas around the farm site and inadequate access to fund.  Provision of accessible credit facilities, pro-active extension services with continuous training and constant veterinary services for poultry farmers in the study area towards increased capability to prevent and eradicate the negative effect of this acute and highly contagious viral disease on their means of livelihood thus ensuring an improved and sustainable poultry production. Keywords: Adoption of bio-security, avian-influenza, outbreak, poultry farmers

The use of agro- biodiversity conservation practices among farmers in niger state, Nigeria

The use of agro-biodiversity practices are key coping strategies in adapting to climate change. This study determined the level of use of Agro- biodiversity conservation practices, assessed the benefits of the practice and identified constraints to its use. A three- stage sampling technique was used to select 150 respondents on which a structured interview schedule was administered. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation were used for data analysis.  Results shows that the use of animal dungs and plant residues as bio-fertilizers  was common biodiversity practice among farmers. 82.5% of the farmers were in the low level of use of these practices.  Constraints such as high cost of production lack of awareness of the use of these practices, were major constraints to the use of biodiversity practices. Age, years of schooling years of farming experience were significantly related to level of usage of Agro biodiversity practices. The study concludes that the level of use of Agro biodiversity practices among farmers was low and influenced by socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers. It recommends that government and other stake holders should provide necessary facilities for this practice. Extension agents should also sensitive farmers on the usefulness of Agro-biodiversity.