Perceived Effect of Agricultural Transformation Agenda on Livelihood of Cocoa Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

This study assessed the perceived effect of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) on cocoa farmer’s livelihood in Osun State. Multi stage sampling technique such as purposive and simple random techniques were used for the selection of 120 respondents. Questionnaire instrument was used to collect data from the respondents and data analysis was carried out using descriptive (frequency counts, mean and percentages) and inferential (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) statistics. Results showed that average farm size was 2 acres. The major source of labour used by some of the respondents (37.5%) was family labour. The study revealed that more than half (68.3%) of the respondents had high knowledge of ATA programme and majority (61.7%) of the respondents utilize it. Majority (66.7%) of the respondents had various challenges against the utilization of ATA inputs. There was a significant relationship between the respondents’ farm size (r=0.387, p>0.000), years of farming experience (r=0.351, p>0.000), ATA inputs accessibility (r=0.734, p>0.000), utilization (r=0.720, p=0.000) and the perceived effect on their livelihood. The respondents had high level of knowledge about ATA programme with a favorable attitude towards ATA, though, the inability to access ATA inputs posed limitation on its utilization. It is recommended that ATA workers should pay necessary attention to the needs of the farmers in the study area and also employ well skilled extension agents to guide farmers to access and utilize ATA inputs effectively. Continuous family farming is encouraged to boast labour and reduce cost

Perceived Effect of Agricultural Transformation Agenda on Livelihood of Cocoa Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

This study assessed the perceived effect of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) on cocoa farmer’s livelihood in Osun State. Multi stage sampling technique such as purposive and simple random techniques were used for the selection of 120 respondents. Questionnaire instrument was used to collect data from the respondents and data analysis was carried out using descriptive (frequency counts, mean and percentages) and inferential (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) statistics. Results showed that average farm size was 2 acres. The major source of labour used by some of the respondents (37.5%) was family labour. The study revealed that more than half (68.3%) of the respondents had high knowledge of ATA programme and majority (61.7%) of the respondents utilize it. Majority (66.7%) of the respondents had various challenges against the utilization of ATA inputs. There was a significant relationship between the respondents’ farm size (r=0.387, p>0.000), years of farming experience (r=0.351, p>0.000), ATA inputs accessibility (r=0.734, p>0.000), utilization (r=0.720, p=0.000) and the perceived effect on their livelihood. The respondents had high level of knowledge about ATA programme with a favorable attitude towards ATA, though, the inability to access ATA inputs posed limitation on its utilization. It is recommended that ATA workers should pay necessary attention to the needs of the farmers in the study area and also employ well skilled extension agents to guide farmers to access and utilize ATA inputs effectively. Continuous family farming is encouraged to boast labour and reduce cost

Strengthening retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment services in Nigeria: a case study of activities, challenges and outcomes 2017-2020.

OBJECTIVES: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) will become a major cause of blindness in Nigerian children unless screening and treatment services expand. This article aims to describe the collaborative activities undertaken to improve services for ROP between 2017 and 2020 as well as the outcome of these activities in Nigeria. DESIGN: Descriptive case study. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care units in Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Staff providing services for ROP, and 723 preterm infants screened for ROP who fulfilled screening criteria (gestational age <34 weeks or birth weight ≤2000 g, or sickness criteria). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A WhatsApp group was initiated for Nigerian ophthalmologists and neonatologists in 2018. Members participated in a range of capacity-building, national and international collaborative activities between 2017 and 2018. A national protocol for ROP was developed for Nigeria and adopted in 2018; 1 year screening outcome data were collected and analysed. In 2019, an esurvey was used to collect service data from WhatsApp group members for 2017-2018 and to assess challenges in service provision. RESULTS: In 2017 only six of the 84 public neonatal units in Nigeria provided ROP services; this number had increased to 20 by 2018. Of the 723 babies screened in 10 units over a year, 127 (17.6%) developed any ROP; and 29 (22.8%) developed type 1 ROP. Only 13 (44.8%) babies were treated, most by intravitreal bevacizumab. The screening criteria were revised in 2020. Challenges included lack of equipment to regulate oxygen and to document and treat ROP, and lack of data systems. CONCLUSION: ROP screening coverage and quality improved after national and international collaborative efforts. To scale up and improve services, equipment for neonatal care and ROP treatment is urgently needed, as well as systems to monitor data. Ongoing advocacy is also essential