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

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

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

CLIMATE CHANGE INFORMATION NEEDS OF RURAL FARMERS IN ENUGU STATE

The study assessed the information needs of rural farmers on climate change issues in Enugu State, Nigeria. Using the multistage sampling procedure, 152 respondents were selected and data were collected through the use of a structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis and multiple linear regression model were used for the analysis. Results of the study show that all (100.0%) the respondents were aware of climate change, but lacked adequate knowledge of key climate change issues. The multiple linear regression model revealed a significant influence of years of formal education (t= 2.020; p=0.045), membership of social organizations (t=2.385; p=0.019) number of climate change training (t= -2.438; p=0.016), farm size (t=2.564; p=0.011), and access to credit (t=2.833; p=0.005) on the respondents’ level of knowledge on climate change. The information needs on climate change as perceived by farmers were: use of improved varieties (M=1.80), occupational diversification (M=1.78), and change in timing of farm operations (M=1.76), among others. The study therefore recommends that farmers should be taught climate change adaptation and mitigation measures using languages they can understand and in a participatory manner so as to enable them cope with the challenges of climate change.Â

CLIMATE CHANGE INFORMATION NEEDS OF RURAL FARMERS IN ENUGU STATE

The study assessed the information needs of rural farmers on climate change issues in Enugu State, Nigeria. Using the multistage sampling procedure, 152 respondents were selected and data were collected through the use of a structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis and multiple linear regression model were used for the analysis. Results of the study show that all (100.0%) the respondents were aware of climate change, but lacked adequate knowledge of key climate change issues. The multiple linear regression model revealed a significant influence of years of formal education (t= 2.020; p=0.045), membership of social organizations (t=2.385; p=0.019) number of climate change training (t= -2.438; p=0.016), farm size (t=2.564; p=0.011), and access to credit (t=2.833; p=0.005) on the respondents’ level of knowledge on climate change. The information needs on climate change as perceived by farmers were: use of improved varieties (M=1.80), occupational diversification (M=1.78), and change in timing of farm operations (M=1.76), among others. The study therefore recommends that farmers should be taught climate change adaptation and mitigation measures using languages they can understand and in a participatory manner so as to enable them cope with the challenges of climate change.Â

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