Gender Constraints in Small-Holder Cocoyam Production in Enugu North Agricultural Zone of Enugu State Nigeria

The study presents the results of analysis of data collected on 120 cocoyam farmers (60 females and 60 males) across the two Agricultural blocks in Enugu North Agricultural Zone using the multi-stage randomized sampling technique. Descriptive statistical tool (percentages) was used in analyzing farmer’s production problems. The survey reviewed that most of the farmers (males and females) encountered problems of root rot disease as a result of storage and lack of storage facilities. Both farmers encountered the problem of limited land, labour unavailability lack of credit facilities, distance from farm to market, pest and diseases etc. These constraints constitute serious impediments to cocoyam production and need to be addressed adequately through policy advocacy.Gender, Cocoyam and Small-Holder Farmers

Adoption Scale Analysis of Improved Cocoyam Production, Production and Storage Technologies across Gender in Enugu North Agricultural Zone of Enugu State Nigeria

This study was undertaken to determine the adoption of improved cocoyam production, processing and storage technologies among small-holder cocoyam farmers in Enugu-North Agricultural Zone in Enugu state. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 cocoyam farmers disaggregated into 60 males and 60 female in 2008. Adoption scale analysis was employed to analyze the level of adoption of cocoyam technologies as well as percentages, means and frequency distribution. The results show that most of the technologies were not adopted and unaware by both farmers. Technologies that scored 3.0 and above were adopted but those below 3.0 were rejected. Both farmers adopted technologies like time of planting, use of fertilizer and left un-harvested and heaping on the floor after harvesting. Technologies such as time of planting, May- June(3.0), fertilizer application NPK 20.20.10 (3.3), storage facilities like treating with fungicide (3.1), and left un-harvested (3.08) were adopted by male farmers; while time of planting (3.05), use of mulching material (3), use of fertilizer(3.08), crop mixture with arable crops (3.57) harvesting at 81-12 months after planting (3.25), storage methods like left underground (3) and heaping on the flour (3.38) were adopted by the female farmers. The study calls for policies to ensure women’s entitlement to productive resources and to target women in the extension delivery system.Adoption Scale, Cocoyam Production, Processing and Storage Technologies and Gender

Adoption of new rice for Africa (NERICA) technologies in Ekiti state, Nigeria

Acceptance of new agricultural technology can lead to significant increase in productivity, income and improve livelihood of rural poor farmers in Nigeria. The study assessed adoption behaviour of the beneficiaries of Multinational (New Rice for Africa) NERICA Rice Dissemination Project in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique in a multistage sampling procedure was used to select 52 beneficiary rice farmers. Data were collected through the use of structured interview schedule and analysed using mean score, adoption index, multiple regression and factor analysis. The results revealed that majority (80.4%) of rice farmers were males, average age of the farmers was observed to be 40years and average farming experience of the famers was found to be 19years. Also, results showed high adoption score for planting distance, early planting, late planting and harvesting duration (61%), fertilizers use (95%) and herbicides use (75%), while water efficiency methods (26%) and improved rice varieties (48%) of the NERICA disseminated technologies had low adoption. Regression analysis indicated that only age and number of years spent in school influenced adoption decisions of rice farmers. The perceived serious constraints to adoption of improved NERICA rice technologies were menace of birds on rice field (M = 4.96), menace of grass cuter (M = 4.47), high cost of labour (M = 3.41), poor access to road (M = 3.61) amongst others. Also, the perceived not serious constraints to adoption of improved NERICA rice technologies were lack of sufficient land (M =1.96), untimely availability of improved NERICA rice varieties (M = 1.92), inadequate knowledge about rice processing techniques (M = 1.78), inadequate access to NERICA rice varieties (M = 1.59) and incompatibility of innovations conflict between technology and norms of the people (M = 1.59). Therefore, the study recommends that researchers should increase farmers’ participation and interaction of local and ecological knowledge to enhance generation of socially, economically and ecologically adaptable rice varieties.Key words: New Rice for Africa (NERICA), adoption, rice farmer, technologie

Institutional provisions for administration of rural development programmes: experience from Fadama 111 development programme in Taraba state, Nigeria

The study examined institutional provisions in the implementation of Fadama 111 Development Project in Taraba State, Nigeria during 2008-2013. All the staff of the project (57) from eight out of 16 local government areas participated in the programme was used in the study. Data were collected with questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed strong linkages of the state Fadama coordinating office with government parastaltals and organizations at different levels of the project implementation. There were strong adherence to rules and regulations guiding staff recruitment, financial management, preparation of local development plan, environmental compliance and friendliness, and group formation. The project was constrained by several institutional factors namely delay in the payment of counterpart fund by the government (M=3.39), lack of transport and other logistic supports (M=3.06), lack of payment of counterpart fund by the government (M=3.04) and others. The study recommends that policy makers and development planner should ensure functional mechanisms that could foster and enhance linkages, and support adherence to rules and regulations prescribed for implementation of development programmes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i2.22644 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 29-34, December, 201

Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Strategies used by Honey Producers in Rural Communities of Enugu State

The study examined the effectiveness and challenges in the use of indigenous climate change adaptation measures by bee farmers in Enugu State. Sixty households heads involved in honey production were used.  Structured interview schedule, focus group discussion and observation were used for data collection and the analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. Production of honey across the years (2000 to 2015) showed a downward trend, while the number of hives installed increased significantly. The respondents effectively adapted to climate change through change of sites of hives (M = 4.00), tree planting (M = 3.33), amendment of the periods of beekeeping operations (M= 3.00) among others. However, they experienced challenges caused by indiscriminate cutting of trees (M=3.42), inadequate information on adaptation measures (M= 3.30), pesticide threat (M=3.07) among others. The study recommends that extension workers should intensify tailored training and visit to beekeepers to update producers’ knowledge  on bee farming (modern techniques), climate change implications of some farm practices (indiscriminate cutting of tree)  and provide information on innovative adaptation options. Educational outreach on climate change to rural communities to stimulate community involvement in promoting environmentally sound practices should be advocated and funded by development agencies. Also, linking farmers to relevant actors, equipment dealers, financial institution; and enacting policy that will create and foster collaborative interaction for effective adaptation to climate change should be championed by public and non -governmental organizations

Participation and Altitude of Beneficiaries to the Third National Fadama Development Project in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study assessed the attitude to and participation of beneficiaries in the Third National Fadama Development Project in Kogi State, Nigeria. One hundred randomly selected beneficiaries were used. Data were collected with the aid of structured interview schedule and analysed by the use of mean scores and factor analysis. The results reveal that beneficiaries participated at collegial, consultative, and collaborative levels in different activities of the project. Majority (74.0%) of the respondents were satisfied with the objective, activities and operational modalities of the project. The respondents however, indicated that the project was constrained by production, institutional and financial factors. The study recommends that beneficiaries should be encouraged to be self- mobilized in certain areas of the project like design, implementation and supervision of sub-project, selecting services, service providers and location of productive assets. The government, both state and local should ensure timely and adequate provision of fund to facilitate effective implementation of activities in critical areas such as capacity building, demand driven adaptive research, mobility of facilitators and others, which largely influence performance of the project in terms of realizing the objectives

Linkage Behavior and Practices of Agencies in the Agricultural Innovation Transfer Sub System in Southeastern Nigeria: Issues for Agricultural Extension policy

The study examined the linkage behaviour and practices of agencies in the agricultural innovation transfer sub system in Southeastern Nigeria.  A total sample size of 210 respondents purposively selected from ADPs(60), LGs(60), profit NGOs(60), non- profit NGOs(30) were used. Data were collected by the use of questionnaires; and analyzed using percentage, mean scores, and factor analysis. The study revealed poor linkage dynamics among the agencies. Majority (72.2%) ADPS of the respondents indicated strong linkages with research institutes, but linkages with agencies in the transfer sub-system were either weak or not in existence. The LGs as well as profit NGOs had either weak or no linkage with most agencies in both innovation generation and transfer sub- systems. Non-profit NGOs(50.0%) reported somewhat strong linkages with research institutes; while (61.5%,65.5%and 50.0%) indicated that linkages with  universities of agriculture, colleges of agriculture and para-veterinary firms were not in existent, respectively. The major linkage mechanisms that existed among the agencies were use of bulletin, annual reports, and magazine. Factors constraining linkages among the agencies were policy related, organizational, attitude –related, and motivational. The study concludes that operational and structural mechanisms should be put in place to facilitate strong and effective linkages for efficiency of resource use and cost effectiveness through synergies and complementarities of efforts. Government should entrench linkage mandate in policies establishing research-extension system to encourage and facilitate public-public and public-private linkages in the sub-system. Existing institutional framework for linkages between research and extension system should be re-visited to evolve more dynamic arrangements and to create mechanism for increase participation of private agencies. Also policy makers should invest on orientation and building linkage leadership among administrators and extension practitioners to stimulate innovation culture.Â

Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Strategies used by Honey Producers in Rural Communities of Enugu State

The study examined the effectiveness and challenges in the use of indigenous climate change adaptation measures by bee farmers in Enugu State. Sixty households heads involved in honey production were used.  Structured interview schedule, focus group discussion and observation were used for data collection and the analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. Production of honey across the years (2000 to 2015) showed a downward trend, while the number of hives installed increased significantly. The respondents effectively adapted to climate change through change of sites of hives (M = 4.00), tree planting (M = 3.33), amendment of the periods of beekeeping operations (M= 3.00) among others. However, they experienced challenges caused by indiscriminate cutting of trees (M=3.42), inadequate information on adaptation measures (M= 3.30), pesticide threat (M=3.07) among others. The study recommends that extension workers should intensify tailored training and visit to beekeepers to update producers’ knowledge  on bee farming (modern techniques), climate change implications of some farm practices (indiscriminate cutting of tree)  and provide information on innovative adaptation options. Educational outreach on climate change to rural communities to stimulate community involvement in promoting environmentally sound practices should be advocated and funded by development agencies. Also, linking farmers to relevant actors, equipment dealers, financial institution; and enacting policy that will create and foster collaborative interaction for effective adaptation to climate change should be championed by public and non -governmental organizations

Linkage Behavior and Practices of Agencies in the Agricultural Innovation Transfer Sub System in Southeastern Nigeria: Issues for Agricultural Extension policy

The study examined the linkage behaviour and practices of agencies in the agricultural innovation transfer sub system in Southeastern Nigeria.  A total sample size of 210 respondents purposively selected from ADPs(60), LGs(60), profit NGOs(60), non- profit NGOs(30) were used. Data were collected by the use of questionnaires; and analyzed using percentage, mean scores, and factor analysis. The study revealed poor linkage dynamics among the agencies. Majority (72.2%) ADPS of the respondents indicated strong linkages with research institutes, but linkages with agencies in the transfer sub-system were either weak or not in existence. The LGs as well as profit NGOs had either weak or no linkage with most agencies in both innovation generation and transfer sub- systems. Non-profit NGOs(50.0%) reported somewhat strong linkages with research institutes; while (61.5%,65.5%and 50.0%) indicated that linkages with  universities of agriculture, colleges of agriculture and para-veterinary firms were not in existent, respectively. The major linkage mechanisms that existed among the agencies were use of bulletin, annual reports, and magazine. Factors constraining linkages among the agencies were policy related, organizational, attitude –related, and motivational. The study concludes that operational and structural mechanisms should be put in place to facilitate strong and effective linkages for efficiency of resource use and cost effectiveness through synergies and complementarities of efforts. Government should entrench linkage mandate in policies establishing research-extension system to encourage and facilitate public-public and public-private linkages in the sub-system. Existing institutional framework for linkages between research and extension system should be re-visited to evolve more dynamic arrangements and to create mechanism for increase participation of private agencies. Also policy makers should invest on orientation and building linkage leadership among administrators and extension practitioners to stimulate innovation culture.Â

Participation and Altitude of Beneficiaries to the Third National Fadama Development Project in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study assessed the attitude to and participation of beneficiaries in the Third National Fadama Development Project in Kogi State, Nigeria. One hundred randomly selected beneficiaries were used. Data were collected with the aid of structured interview schedule and analysed by the use of mean scores and factor analysis. The results reveal that beneficiaries participated at collegial, consultative, and collaborative levels in different activities of the project. Majority (74.0%) of the respondents were satisfied with the objective, activities and operational modalities of the project. The respondents however, indicated that the project was constrained by production, institutional and financial factors. The study recommends that beneficiaries should be encouraged to be self- mobilized in certain areas of the project like design, implementation and supervision of sub-project, selecting services, service providers and location of productive assets. The government, both state and local should ensure timely and adequate provision of fund to facilitate effective implementation of activities in critical areas such as capacity building, demand driven adaptive research, mobility of facilitators and others, which largely influence performance of the project in terms of realizing the objectives