Emerging Policy issues in the Special Crop Productions Programme of Benue State

This study was carried out to examine the characteristics of the Special Crop Production Programme of the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture, Makurdi and highlight the emerging policy issues. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire from 120 respondents who were randomly selected. Analysis of data was carried out using percentages and mean scores. Results showed that, procurement and distribution of inputs (improved seeds, fertilizer and herbicides) were insufficient and untimely provided. The situation forced farmers to acquire most of their input from the open market at exorbitant prices. Farmers were not involved in the planning of the programme and the extension personnel attached to the programme were not sufficient for effective delivery of extension services to farmers. The recommendations are that policy should be put in place to ensure early procurement and distribution of inputs at affordable prices, organize farmers into farmers associations and co-operatives to help pool farm lands, input procurement, and access to the use of machinery and providing market outlets for disposing farmers’ outputs. This way a veritable extension policy for crop production will be ensured in Nigeri

Emerging Policy issues in the Special Crop Productions Programme of Benue State

This study was carried out to examine the characteristics of the Special Crop Production Programme of the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture, Makurdi and highlight the emerging policy issues. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire from 120 respondents who were randomly selected. Analysis of data was carried out using percentages and mean scores. Results showed that, procurement and distribution of inputs (improved seeds, fertilizer and herbicides) were insufficient and untimely provided. The situation forced farmers to acquire most of their input from the open market at exorbitant prices. Farmers were not involved in the planning of the programme and the extension personnel attached to the programme were not sufficient for effective delivery of extension services to farmers. The recommendations are that policy should be put in place to ensure early procurement and distribution of inputs at affordable prices, organize farmers into farmers associations and co-operatives to help pool farm lands, input procurement, and access to the use of machinery and providing market outlets for disposing farmers’ outputs. This way a veritable extension policy for crop production will be ensured in Nigeri

Expanding Agricultural and Rural Extension Roles for Sustainable Extension Practice in Nigeria

The effect of globalization and the attendant privatization of the public sector of national economies of developing nations has profound effect on extension service delivery. This paper reviews present concept and challenges of extension and proposes future concerns of extension service. It concludes that extension educational service in Nigeria should be rendered as a hybrid of both public and private good. Public good extension should include such roles as provision of knowledge, skills and experience to HIV/AIDS orphans and training of farmers on how to reduce labour shortage due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. On the other hand, extension service must strive to expand its traditional concept to that of private good to achieve economic sustainability. The expanded scope could include marketing extension, non-farm rural micro enterprise development, service to farmers’ associations, technical extension service and urban extension. These services should be provided at a cost to ensure economic sustainability of extension service delivery

Expanding Agricultural and Rural Extension Roles for Sustainable Extension Practice in Nigeria

The effect of globalization and the attendant privatization of the public sector of national economies of developing nations has profound effect on extension service delivery. This paper reviews present concept and challenges of extension and proposes future concerns of extension service. It concludes that extension educational service in Nigeria should be rendered as a hybrid of both public and private good. Public good extension should include such roles as provision of knowledge, skills and experience to HIV/AIDS orphans and training of farmers on how to reduce labour shortage due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. On the other hand, extension service must strive to expand its traditional concept to that of private good to achieve economic sustainability. The expanded scope could include marketing extension, non-farm rural micro enterprise development, service to farmers’ associations, technical extension service and urban extension. These services should be provided at a cost to ensure economic sustainability of extension service delivery

Attitude, perception and knowledge of menopause by women Ofkumana Chiefdom Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

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