Determinants of adoption of biosecurity principles by poultry farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study assessed the determinant factors influencing the adoption of biosecurity principles by poultry farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. The major objective was to determine poultry farmer awareness and adoption of various biosecurity principles. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data for the study were collected from 92 respondents, through the use of structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistic (Logit regression analysis). The results revealed that majority of the poultry farmers were still within their productive and active age (M=47years), majority were well educated (M=15years) and majority (60 %) reared both broilers and layers.  The study also showed that there was 100% awareness and trial of all the biosecurity principles under consideration The most adopted biosecurity principles with 100% adoption however, were provision of adequate ventilation, removal of dead birds, offering of good quality feed and water, vaccination and provision of proper medication. The result further revealed that respondents with larger number of birds (1.994), access to credit (1.715), frequent contact with extension agents (2.183) and access to training (2.083) had high propensity to adoption of biosecurity activities. The respondents perceived all the biosecurity principles under consideration as effective in preventing looses in their farms. They however, perceived the following constraints as severe constraints: inadequate capital (M=2.96), disease and parasites (M=2.97) and inadequate credit facility (M= 2.74). The study concludes that poultry farmers’ awareness of biosecurity activities was high, with moderate rate of adoption of the activities; they however, perceived biosecurity principles as effective means of preventing diseases infection.Keywords: Adoption, biosecurity principles, poultry, farmer

Correlates of Ill Health Conditions and Farmers’ Productivity in Ilorin East Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

The study examines the ill health conditions experienced and farmers’ productivity in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Primary data were duly obtained using well-structured questionnaire which was administered on eighty farmers. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analyses were employed. Results however revealed that majority 100%, 85%, 77.5% and 56.25% of respondents have experienced malaria, typhoid fever, diarrhea and stomach ache respectively. Results further indicated that majority 97.5% and 67.5% of respondents who have experienced malaria and typhoid fever patronize modern medical services but 62.5% and 37.5% who have experienced diarrhea and stomach ache access traditional medicine for healing. PPMC analyses showed the ill health experienced by respondent were significant related to their farm size. Results also showed that health care services available for farmers were not significant related to their productivity. The study therefore concludes that malaria and many others diseases and illnesses are ill-health conditions facing farmers in the study area. The study suggests the need for quick health care delivery that will meet the health care need of farmers in the study area, most especially preventive measures to control mosquito. Keywords: Ill-health: farmers: productivity: Ilorin East LGA: Kwara State

Tomato farmers adoption level of postharvest value addition technology and its constraints in Surulere Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

The study examined tomato farmers’ adoption level of postharvest value addition technology and its constraints in Surulere Area of Oyo state. 160 tomato farmers were randomly selected and interviewed through structured interview schedule. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed prevalent causes of tomato postharvest losses to include; unreliable means of transportation, lack of adequate storage facilities, limited alternative uses of produce, diseases/pest infestation and non-accessibility to improved varieties and quality seeds. Furthermore, postharvest value addition technologies at adoption level indicated by majority were ranked as follows; sun drying and peeled tomato preserves (88.1%) ranked first, fresh refrigerated (67.5%) ranked third, pureed and sealed with oil in jars (50.6%) ranked fourth, boiled, sealed and packed sealed (50.0%) ranked fifth, cold water bath (46.9%) ranked sixth. Only (3.1%) evaluated pickling, 0.6% trialled irradiation, 2.5% trialled pulping. Constraints faced by majority include; inadequate technological knowledge about value addition, inadequate of electricity supply, lack of cold storage facilities and lack of awareness about value addition technologies. Regression analysis shows significant relation between preventive initiatives adopted by tomato farmers and their level of education, agricultural cooperative membership and availability of electricity and extension agents’ visit. In the view of the findings, the study concludes that tomato farmers have adopted several preventive initiatives for tomato postharvest losses and were still with faced with challenges. It is therefore important improve educational knowledge of tomato farmers in the study area on improved skills to further minimise post-harvest losses.Keywords: tomato, postharvest losses, value addition, constraint

Factors affecting adoption of urea deep placement technology by rice farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study examined the factors affecting the adoption of Urea Deep Placement (UDP) technologies by rice farmers in Kwara State. Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used in collecting data from 144 rice farmers who were randomly selected. Data on the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, their level of awareness and adoption of UDP technologies were obtained. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analysis data collected. The findings indicated that most (78.5%) of the rice farmers were male while the respondents’ mean age was 50 years. The mean household size was 10 people and 43.0% of the respondents had formal education. The results also showed that all (100%) the respondents were aware of UDP technologies but adoption level was low (21.5%). The significant variables were household size, educational level, rice farming experience, farm size, paddy output and USG sources; the coefficient of farm size and USG source were however negative. The study recommended that relevant stakeholders in the rice sector in Kwara State should be more involved in UDP technologies dissemination and training of rice farmers to address the knowledge gap and low of adoption level of UDP technologies in the study area. In addition, all tiers of government including the non-governmental organizations should gear efforts to link rice farmers to credible sources of USG for increased paddy rice yield to attain the much desired self-sufficiency in rice production in Kwara State, Nigeria.Keywords: Factors, Adoption, Urea deep placement technology, Rice, Farmer