Farmers Perception of the Quality and Accessibility of Agrochemicals in Kaduna and Ondo States of Nigeria: Implications for Policy

This study analyzed the quality and accessibility of agrochemicals as perceived by crop farmers in Kaduna and Ondo States of Nigeria. A total of 260 crop farmers were selected for the study using multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using pre-tested, structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that the majority (62.7%) of the crop farmers perceived the quality of agrochemical to be poor or just average. Similarly, many (43.5%) perceived agrochemical as accessible. Farmers’ perception of quality of agrochemical was strongly influenced by level of education (0.059, P<0.01) and experience (0.015, P<0.05) among others. On the other hand, perception of accessibility of agrochemical is influenced by education (0.064, P<0.01) and income (0.012, P<0.01) among others. Major constraints to accessing quality agrochemicals were inadequate enforcement of pesticide regulations, high cost, and porous borders. This study therefore, recommends that government should device policy and special financial incentive (subsidy) geared towards boosting local production of agrochemical. It is also advocated that government should review pesticide laws to facilitate the effective supervision of pesticide quality in Nigeria.

Off-Farm Economic Activities of Rural Women for Household Food Security in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study analyzed the contribution of off-farm economic activities of rural women to household food security in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, this study identified off-farm activities with which rural women are engaged, and assessed their level of involvement in off-farm activities, assessed women’s expenditure on household needs, determined the relationship between respondents’ socio-economic characteristics and their off-farm activities, and identified women’s constraints to engage in off-farm economic activities. Rural women in Kaduna State were targeted for this study. One-hundred and eighty rural women used for this study were selected through multi-stage sampling techniques. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit relevant information from the respondents. Frequency counts, percentages, and chi-square test were used to analyze the data collected. The mean age, monthly income, and household size of the rural women was 46 years, ₦8,879, and 7, respectively.  Most of them (43.9%) had no formal education. Most rural women engaged in multiple off-farm economic activities including trading, food processing, tailoring, livestock rearing amongst others. The majority (82.8% and 72.8%) of the women contributes to provide food and cloth, respectively, for the household. Significant relationship exists between household size (X2=2.87; P≤0.01), access to extension (X2=1.98; P≤0.01), and access to credit (X2=1.73; P≤0.01) and women engagement in off-farm activities. Also, women’s contributions to household food security depend on a number of activities engaged in. Poor institutional support was the major constraint to engagement in rural off-farm economic activities. Extension agencies should design innovative ways (through training and re-training) to impact on the off-farm activities of women. Keywords: Rural women, off-farm activities, food security, rural economy, Nigeri

Management of Tractor-Hiring Entrepreneurship by Tractor Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria

This study assessed the management of tractor-hiring entrepreneurship by Tractor Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN). Two-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents. A checklist was used in an in-depth interview to elicit relevant information which was analyzed qualitatively. Various models of tractor-hiring operations of TOHFAN were identified. The loan guarantee system, the tractor tracking system as well as the business challenges were examined. Data were collected using a checklist in a focus group discussion and key informant interview. Findings revealed that TOHFAN guaranteed loans for its members through collaboration with relevant financial institutions and vendors. Currently (as at December 2016), the association operates with 262 tractors and 757 members across 21 states of the country since 13 years of its establishment. Four distinct models identified were: model involving hiring agent, model involving booking agent, model involving TOHFAN as booking agent, and direct owner-farmer transaction. Tractor tracking device was used to determine the location of each tractor belonging to members. High and unstable interest rate was the major challenge confronting TOHFAN’s management of tractor-hiring services. This study concludes that TOHFAN’s operational model is unique and therefore recommends that investors in tractor-hiring services should be encouraged (through creation of awareness by extension agencies) to emulate the TOHFAN example in tractor-hiring management. Models and operational strategies used by TOHAN (especially the tracking device) can be adapted by the public tractor-hiring services in order to ensure effective tractor-hiring management in Nigeria

Management of Tractor-Hiring Entrepreneurship by Tractor Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria

This study assessed the management of tractor-hiring entrepreneurship by Tractor Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN). Two-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents. A checklist was used in an in-depth interview to elicit relevant information which was analyzed qualitatively. Various models of tractor-hiring operations of TOHFAN were identified. The loan guarantee system, the tractor tracking system as well as the business challenges were examined. Data were collected using a checklist in a focus group discussion and key informant interview. Findings revealed that TOHFAN guaranteed loans for its members through collaboration with relevant financial institutions and vendors. Currently (as at December 2016), the association operates with 262 tractors and 757 members across 21 states of the country since 13 years of its establishment. Four distinct models identified were: model involving hiring agent, model involving booking agent, model involving TOHFAN as booking agent, and direct owner-farmer transaction. Tractor tracking device was used to determine the location of each tractor belonging to members. High and unstable interest rate was the major challenge confronting TOHFAN’s management of tractor-hiring services. This study concludes that TOHFAN’s operational model is unique and therefore recommends that investors in tractor-hiring services should be encouraged (through creation of awareness by extension agencies) to emulate the TOHFAN example in tractor-hiring management. Models and operational strategies used by TOHAN (especially the tracking device) can be adapted by the public tractor-hiring services in order to ensure effective tractor-hiring management in Nigeria

Farmers Perception of the Quality and Accessibility of Agrochemicals in Kaduna and Ondo States of Nigeria: Implications for Policy

This study analyzed the quality and accessibility of agrochemicals as perceived by crop farmers in Kaduna and Ondo States of Nigeria. A total of 260 crop farmers were selected for the study using multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using pre-tested, structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that the majority (62.7%) of the crop farmers perceived the quality of agrochemical to be poor or just average. Similarly, many (43.5%) perceived agrochemical as accessible. Farmers’ perception of quality of agrochemical was strongly influenced by level of education (0.059, P<0.01) and experience (0.015, P<0.05) among others. On the other hand, perception of accessibility of agrochemical is influenced by education (0.064, P<0.01) and income (0.012, P<0.01) among others. Major constraints to accessing quality agrochemicals were inadequate enforcement of pesticide regulations, high cost, and porous borders. This study therefore, recommends that government should device policy and special financial incentive (subsidy) geared towards boosting local production of agrochemical. It is also advocated that government should review pesticide laws to facilitate the effective supervision of pesticide quality in Nigeria.

Off-Farm Economic Activities of Rural Women for Household Food Security in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study analyzed the contribution of off-farm economic activities of rural women to household food security in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, this study identified off-farm activities with which rural women are engaged, and assessed their level of involvement in off-farm activities, assessed women’s expenditure on household needs, determined the relationship between respondents’ socio-economic characteristics and their off-farm activities, and identified women’s constraints to engage in off-farm economic activities. Rural women in Kaduna State were targeted for this study. One-hundred and eighty rural women used for this study were selected through multi-stage sampling techniques. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit relevant information from the respondents. Frequency counts, percentages, and chi-square test were used to analyze the data collected. The mean age, monthly income, and household size of the rural women was 46 years, ₦8,879, and 7, respectively.  Most of them (43.9%) had no formal education. Most rural women engaged in multiple off-farm economic activities including trading, food processing, tailoring, livestock rearing amongst others. The majority (82.8% and 72.8%) of the women contributes to provide food and cloth, respectively, for the household. Significant relationship exists between household size (X2=2.87; P≤0.01), access to extension (X2=1.98; P≤0.01), and access to credit (X2=1.73; P≤0.01) and women engagement in off-farm activities. Also, women’s contributions to household food security depend on a number of activities engaged in. Poor institutional support was the major constraint to engagement in rural off-farm economic activities. Extension agencies should design innovative ways (through training and re-training) to impact on the off-farm activities of women. Keywords: Rural women, off-farm activities, food security, rural economy, Nigeri

Institutional Factors Influencing Crop Farmers Adoption of Recommended Agrochemical Practices in Nigeria

This study examined the institutional factors influencing adoption of recommended practices of agrochemicals among crop farers in Kaduna and Ondo States of Nigeria. A total of 260 crop farmers who have sustained the use of agrochemicals for at least five years were selected for the study using multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics (mean and percentages) and inferential statistics (Multiple regression) was used for data analysis. Data was collected using pretested, structured interview schedule. The results obtained revealed that adoption of RAPs is positively significantly influenced by degree of exposure to training in both States. This study therefore, recommends that regular training on the use of agrochemical should be organized for farmers by extension agencies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Also, all forms of communication through the print and electronic media should be used by extension agencies in appealing to farmers to enhance adoption of RAPs

Institutional Factors Influencing Crop Farmers Adoption of Recommended Agrochemical Practices in Nigeria

This study examined the institutional factors influencing adoption of recommended practices of agrochemicals among crop farers in Kaduna and Ondo States of Nigeria. A total of 260 crop farmers who have sustained the use of agrochemicals for at least five years were selected for the study using multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics (mean and percentages) and inferential statistics (Multiple regression) was used for data analysis. Data was collected using pretested, structured interview schedule. The results obtained revealed that adoption of RAPs is positively significantly influenced by degree of exposure to training in both States. This study therefore, recommends that regular training on the use of agrochemical should be organized for farmers by extension agencies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Also, all forms of communication through the print and electronic media should be used by extension agencies in appealing to farmers to enhance adoption of RAPs

Assessment of aquaculture development programmes in Nigeria

This paper assessed the various aquaculture development programmes of succeeding Nigerian Government. It particularly focused on the Fish Seed Multiplication Project (FSMP) and the pilot Fish Farm Project (PFFP); drawing lessons from their implementation. Literature review was carried out using reports of Federal Ministry of Agriculture as well as agricultural institutions for this analysis. Poor growth rate in fishery output as well as unavailability and inadequate access to modern fish-farming technologies was found to be the major challenges confronting the Nigerian aquaculture development. The paper concludes that despite some noteworthy efforts of government interventions in the fisheries sub-sector of the Nigeria economy; the growth rates of fishery output have been relatively low as manifested in the large importation of fish over the years. It recommends a proper exploitation of the aquaculture system by ensuring fish-farmers’ access to modern fish-farming technologies through policy instrument

Adoption of Recommended Agrochemical Practices among Crop Farmers in Kaduna and Ondo States, Nigeria

This study assessed the level of adoption of recommended practices of agrochemicals among crop farers in Kaduna and Ondo States of Nigeria. It measured the perception of farmers on pesticides and their knowledge on the harmful effects of pesticides. A total of 260 crop farmers who have sustained the use of agrochemicals for at least five years were selected for the study using multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics (mean and percentages) was used for data analysis. Data was collected using pretested, structured interview schedule. The results obtained revealed that the perception of 33.1% of the farmers was considering pesticides as always good whereas 30% of the farmers perceived pesticides as sometimes harmful. All (100%) respondents indicated that pesticides cause damage to human health. Furthermore, the level of adoption of recommended agrochemical practices (RAPs) was generally low (weighted mean =1.49) despite high level of awareness (weighted mean =2.24). This study therefore, recommends that campaign for attitudinal changes on the use of agrochemical should be mounted by extension agencies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.   Â