An assessment of knowledge of farming-related hazards and precautionary practices of farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study assessed knowledge of farming-related hazards and precautionary practices of farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 160 respondents were selected using a multi-stage random sampling  technique. The statistical techniques used for analysis were frequency count, percentages, Pearson Product Moment correlation (PPMC) and Kruskal wallis ranking. The results show common agricultural  production to include maize, yam and cassava. Results also revealed that general body pain  (mean=1213.24), poor/careless use of farm tools (mean=119.41), sickness/ill health (mean=1193.01),  inhaling of dusts from the air (mean=1122.65) and long distance trekking to farm (mean=1114.08) were the top known hazards among farmers in the study area. Field coat/overall (mean=701.69) ranked 1st, rubber boot/old canvas (mean=692.28) ranked 2nd, use of gloves (mean=646.76) ranked 3rd were the common protective equipment used by farmers in the study area. Other precautionary practices such making of environment clean of debris and sharp objects and cutting of trees/sticks deep into roots to  prevent pointed and sharp edges were indicated by 100% of the respondents. Findings further revealed that major constraints to use of protective equipments include; not aware of it importance (80.0%), not convenience while working (62.5%), I was not trained (58.8%). The Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis showed that precautionary practices such as field coat/ overall, cap/Hat, nose mask and eye goggle were statistically significant to farmers knowledge of farming-related hazards. The study therefore recommends the need for education and training of farmers and farm workers to increase their knowledge and practices of farm related occupational hazards in the study area.Keywords: knowledge, precautionary practices, farmers, Kwara state

An Analysis of Yam Storage Strategy to Promote Food Security in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

This study examines the analysis of yam storage strategy to promote food security in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Data was collected from 110 respondents, using wellstructured interviews schedule. The data was analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, means and probit model to test for significance. The study found that barn (47.3%) and indigenous plant materials (27.3%) were the common storage strategy used which are not capable of ensuring good storage for yam produce till off season. Probit model analysis revealed that the selected personal characteristics had significant (p<0.05) influence on farmer’s choice of strategy used. Deterioration of yam that reduces its quality (mean score 2.01) has also been the leading problem faced in marketing yam produce. It was concluded that these are one of the major reasons for food insecurity among farmers in the study area. It was recommended that farmers should be provided with information regarding improved storage strategies as well as exposed to training on their use

Small Scale Farmers' Perception and Adaptation to Climate Change in Nasarawa State of Nigeria

Climate change and severe weather events such as temperature shocks and declining rainfall often strongly impede sustainable farming development, especially where agriculture is rain fed and when other external shocks such as poverty, poor access to inputs and credit are common. This is the context in which small scale farmers carry out their farming and other livelihoods activities. This study compares small scale farmers' perception of temperature and rainfall with the result of 30 years (1980-2009) meteorological records of temperature and rainfall, examines the farmers adaptation practices in response to climate change and the constraints to their adaptation. The study found an increasing trend in minimum and maximum temperature and a decline in rainfall trend. This validates the farmers' perception of temperature and rainfall. Tree cutting (50.7%) and sin (45.7%) are the perceived leading causes of climate change. Farmers mostly engage in change in planting date (97.8%), tree planting (77.5%) and crop diversification (70.3) in response to climate change. Inadequate money (70.3%) is the leading constraint to adaptation. There is need for extension services and the mass media to create awareness on the causes of climate change. Efforts that address poverty and provide access to agricultural support services like farm inputs and weather forecasting service will help enhance farmers' adaptive capacity to climate change.Keywords: Adaptation; Climate Change; Perception; Small Scale Farmers

Resource Use Efficiency in Sweet Potato Production in Kwara State of Nigeria

This paper examines resource use efficiency in sweet potato production in Offa and Oyun local government areas of Kwara State of Nigeria. Primary data were collected from one hundred sweet potato farmers who were selected from the two local government areas during the 2003/2004 farming season. The data was analyzed using regression analysis and inferential statistics. The regression result shows that the coefficients of labour and purchased inputs were positively and significantly related to the output of sweet potato at 5% level. The coefficient of land was positive but significant at 10% level. The coefficient of multiple determinations (R2) of the lead equation indicates that the included variables accounted for over 99% of the variation in the output of sweet potato. Resource use efficiency analysis using a t-statistic indicates that land and purchased inputs were under-utilized. The use of labour input was efficient in sweet potato production as shown by the t-statistic computed for the t-test. To achieve increased production of sweet potato, it is recommended that there should be an increase in the farm size devoted to sweet potato and increased awareness campaign among sweet potato farmers, in the area of good agronomic practices and usage of improved varieties of stem cuttings. Keywords: Sweet potato, Resource Efficiency, Marginal Value Product, Unit Factor costJARD Vol. 4 (2) 2005: pp. 187-19