Technology use in sweet potato production, consumption and utilization among households in Southeastern Nigeria

The study was designed to identify the technology used by households in the production, consumption and utilization of sweet potato in Southeastern Nigeria. Two difference types of structured interview schedules for farmers and consumers were utilized in obtaining information from one hundred and forty-four farmers and seventy – two sweet potato consumers Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that majority (92.4%) of the farmers used correct spacing (30-50cm apart) and earthening up in sweet potato production, while 90.3% used cutting off the vine from the base at majority to prevent boring attack by weevils in sweet potato production. Also majority (70.8%) of the consumers processed sweet potato into snacks/ fried chips while 59.7% utilized sweet potato for fortification of pounded yam /foofoo and baby’s food. The technologies that were highly used by farmers in the production of sweet potato were organic and inorganic fertilizer while the technologies that were highly used by consumers in processing and utilization of sweet potato were processing into snacks /fried chips, flour, dried chips and utilization in the fortification of pounded yam /foofoo, fortification of baby’s food and sweetening of beverages (kunu and Burukutu). It was concluded that technologies that are user friendly be developed by research institutes and passed on to state Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPS) for on ward transmission to end-users. The women-in-Agriculture Programme (WIA) of the state level ADPS are strongly recommended to facilitate promotion of processing and utilization of sweet potato technologies among women and multipurpose cooperatives

Climate Change, Its Implications for Agriculture and Rural Development in Nigeria

This study identified the indicators of climate change both anthropogenic and natural variability which affect agriculture and rural development in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was used in sourcing information from sixty farmers. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics. The following indicators of climate change affected agricultural and rural development; early on set of rainfall and early ceasation, early on set of rainfall and late ceasation, late on set of rainfall and late ceasation, late on set of rainfall and early cessation, above normal rainfall, below normal rainfall, longer than normal rainfall, shorter than normal rainfall, high intensity rainfall, irratic/torrential rainfall, flash flooding, rainstorms, coastal flooding, gustiness, erosion/flooding, rivers and streams overflowing their banks, unusual patterns of precipitation, high sunshine intensity, early on set and early ceasation of harmattan, late on set and early ceasation of harmattan, irratic wind, high speed wind, frequency of clement weather, constant draught, rising temperature, high humidity, presence and incidence of unfamiliar pests and diseases

Effects of rural-urban youth migration on farm families in Benue state, Nigeria

The study was assessed to determine the effects of rural-urban youth migration on farm families in Benue state, Nigeria during November 2014 to June 2015. Interview schedule was used to collect data from a sample of 80 respondents. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean scores and standard deviation. Results indicate that majority (76.3%) of the respondents were males, middle aged and married. Major causes of ruralurban youth migration indicated by the respondents include inadequate employment opportunities in rural areas (M=3.6), search for better education (M=3.5), inadequate social infrastructure such as schools (M=3.4), poor medical care services in rural areas (M=3.4), looking for money through labour (M=3.4), apprenticeship programme (M=3.2), etc. Findings of the study also indicate that reduction of agricultural labour force (M=3.5), low agricultural productivity (M=3.3), high cost of labour (M= 3.3), reduction on demand for locally grown foods (M=2.9), decrease in dependency ratio in the rural areas (M=2.7), reduction on number of mouths to feed (M=2.7), among others were major effects of ruralurban youth migration among farm families. The study recommends that Nigerian government should provide adequate physical and social infrastructure in rural areas in order to encourage youths to remain in agriculture, reduce rural-urban youth migration as well as sustain agriculture for enhanced food security.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 6 (1): 14-20, June, 201