Poverty and inequality among fishing households and implications for fishery resources management in Kainji Lake, Nigeria

Fishing has traditionally been a major source of livelihood for fishing households in Kainji Lake Basin (KLB). It plays a significant role to the rural and national economy in terms of employment, income and source of protein. However, the livelihoods of the primary actors (fishers) are being jeopardized by the depletion of fishery resources, mainly due to over exploitation and poor management. This paper examines poverty among the fishing households in KLB using empirical data. Foster Greer Thorbecke (FGT) Model was adopted for the analysis. The results reveal greater poverty (over 60%) with minimal inequality among fishing households. Finally, the paper advances reasons based on the implications of the study for designing intervention strategies by policy makers and the like

Impacts of adaptation strategies of climate change on rice production in Kwara State

The study was to determine the effectiveness of adaptation strategies of climate change on rice production, it specifically identified the adaptation strategies employed and described the determinants of the strategies. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Adaptation strategies employed by the respondents were planting of early maturing variety (89.2 %), planting of improved variety (85.0 %) and change in planting date (76.7 %). Determinants of adaptation strategies were educational attainment, farming experience, age, climate information, cooperative membership, extension contact and farm size. Planting of improved and early maturing variety with a mean score of x̄꞊3.75 and x̄꞊3.66 respectively were adjudged the most effective adaptive strategies that could help in the production of rice in the study area. Use of irrigation, mixed farming; soil conservation and off-farm activities were effective as adaptation strategies in mitigating the adverse effect of climate change on rice production. Therefore, it was recommended that government policies should ensure that farmers have access to timely, affordable and adequate credit to increase their ability and flexibility to change production strategies in response to climate change, Similarly, adequate and timely information should be made available to farmers in order to keep them alert about the constant changes in climate.Key Words: Climate change, Effectiveness, Adaption, Strategie

Analysis of effectiveness of social capital formation among fishing households in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria

This study examined the effectiveness of social capital formation on the livelihood of fisher - folks in fishing households in Kainji Lake Basin of Niger State. Multistage sampling technique was employed in the selection of 290 respondents. The Specific objectives are to: i. describe the socio-economic characteristic of the respondents; ii. assess the level of fisher-folk awareness of social capital formation; iii. identify sources of information about social capital formation, and iv. determine effect of social capital formation on fisher-folks households: Data were collected with questionnaire complemented with interview guide. Both descriptive and inferential statistics was employed. Result showed that the mean age of respondents was 42 years; majority (95.2%) were male. More than half (59.2%) had no formal education, 93.7% were married. The mean year of cooperatives was 9 years. The mean year of fishing experience was 22 years, and less than half (45.1%) were members of fish farmers organization. Majority of fisher-folk household had high awareness on bonding (78.6%) while bridging was (76.9%) with linking of (77.6%). Relatives, friends and neighbours (59.7%), were the major sources of information available to the respondents about fishing activities. The social capital formation on bonding relationships shows that (family members, friends and relatives, neighbours) involved closed tie relationship among the fisher-folks was found to be effective, social capital formation on bridging relationships that involved (social groups, organizations and associations within a community) among the fisher-folks was also found to be effectives, social capital formation on linking that involves relationships (between community groups, residents/tenants association, governmental partnership) among the fisher-folks was found to be effective in enhancing active participation in volunteers services, reciprocity and trust among various fisher-folks groups. Regression result shows that household size, experience, and income influenced the effectiveness of social capital formation. Therefore, in conclusion the null hypothesis was rejected, while the alternative hypothesis was accepted. There was high awareness of bonding, bridging and linking social capital by the respondents Therefore, there is need to promote social ties either horizontally or vertically in order to access services that will enhance the economic well-being of the respondents.Keywords: Network Social Capital formatio