Effectiveness of linking vegetable farmers to formal markets in Lagos State, Nigeria

The study assessed how smallholder vegetable farmers are linked to formal markets in Lagos state, Nigeria. The study specifically described the socioeconomic characteristics of the smallholder vegetable farmers, ascertained perceived benefits from the linkage and constraints in linking smallholder vegetable farmers to formal markets. A random sampling technique was used to sample 120 vegetable farmers from Agbowa and Epe clusters. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The results revealed that smallholder vegetable farmers were relatively young with mean age of 41.5 years, mean household size was 4 persons and they mainly sourced information from friends and fellow farmers. The findings also revealed that the smallholder vegetable farmers had strong linkage with input suppliers (x̅ = 2.50), International Fertilizer Development Center (x̅ = 2.33), World Vegetable Center (x̅ = 1.51) and Center for Inclusive Agriculture and Gender Development (x̅ = 1.46). Exposure to production technologies and specialized training (x̅ = 4.69) were the most perceived benefits from the linkage. Level of linkage with farmers and other actors was constrained by lack of basic infrastructure (x̅ = 2.50) and inadequate credit facilities (x̅ = 2.06). The study also found a significant correlation between household size and level of linkages. The linkages arising from the arrangement had no doubt exposed the farmers to production technologies and market information. Extension agencies and relevant non-governmental organisations are implored to offer specific trainings to vegetable farmers on value addition to enhance their participation in the formal markets

Digital Platforms for Linking Agriculture Investors with Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria

The study assessed digital platforms used to link agriculture investors with smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Content analysis and In-depth interviews were used for the study. Three digital platforms, namely ThriveAgric, EZ Farming and Farmcrowdy were purposively chosen for this study. Results showed that ThriveAgric is user friendly, EZ Farming and Farmcrowdy provide risk assessment scores for easy monitoring. Also, ThriveAgric uses Agricultural Operating System (AOS) to track farmers’ activities. EZ Farming uses social media platforms for adverts and campaign while Farmcrowdy innovatively used the platform to render advisory services to the farmers. ThriveAgric and Farmcrowdy invested in crop and livestock production while EZ Farming areas of investments were crop, livestock, fisheries, farm equipment and hydroponics. Smallholder farmers’ derived benefits were mainly observed in the aspect of reduction in post-harvest losses. Untimely delivery of agricultural inputs and cost of running the platforms were identified as major impediments to effective deployment of the platform by the farmers and operators of the platforms respectively. Cost sharing mechanism should be incorporated in the partnership to ensure sustainability and win-win situation. Also regular review of the initiative by all the stakeholders is strongly recommended

Digital Platforms for Linking Agriculture Investors with Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria

The study assessed digital platforms used to link agriculture investors with smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Content analysis and In-depth interviews were used for the study. Three digital platforms, namely ThriveAgric, EZ Farming and Farmcrowdy were purposively chosen for this study. Results showed that ThriveAgric is user friendly, EZ Farming and Farmcrowdy provide risk assessment scores for easy monitoring. Also, ThriveAgric uses Agricultural Operating System (AOS) to track farmers’ activities. EZ Farming uses social media platforms for adverts and campaign while Farmcrowdy innovatively used the platform to render advisory services to the farmers. ThriveAgric and Farmcrowdy invested in crop and livestock production while EZ Farming areas of investments were crop, livestock, fisheries, farm equipment and hydroponics. Smallholder farmers’ derived benefits were mainly observed in the aspect of reduction in post-harvest losses. Untimely delivery of agricultural inputs and cost of running the platforms were identified as major impediments to effective deployment of the platform by the farmers and operators of the platforms respectively. Cost sharing mechanism should be incorporated in the partnership to ensure sustainability and win-win situation. Also regular review of the initiative by all the stakeholders is strongly recommended

Factors Influencing Farmers’ Adoption of CRIN TC Cocoa Hybrid Technology in Oyo State, Nigeria

Cocoa production in Nigeria has been on a downward trend in recent years. Low productivity from ageing cocoa trees and low technology uptake among the farmers are some of the contributing factors. Efforts are therefore ongoing to introduce cocoa hybrid technology to enhance cocoa farmers’ productivity. This study therefore examines factors influencing adoption of CRIN TC (TC 1- 8) cocoa hybrid technology among cocoa farmers in Oyo state, Nigeria. Using multi-stage sampling procedure, 80 respondents were sampled for the study. A well-structured questionnaire was used to gather information from the farmers. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results revealed that most (83.8%) of the farmers were male with the mean age of 55 years. It also showed that 43.8% of the farmers completed primary education while majority (51.3%) had a household size of 6-10 persons with a mean household size of 5 persons. The study also showed that 80% of the cocoa farmers got their information regarding cocoa hybrid through research institute. It was also found that most of the farmers had high level of adoption. Meanwhile, high cost of agrochemicals was identified as a major constraint toward adoption of CRIN TC (TC 1- 8) cocoa hybrid. Meanwhile, farmers age (β=-0.007) farming experience (β=-0.004) were identified as the factors influencing farmers’ adoption of the cocoa hybrid. Governments at various levels are encouraged to subsidise the price of agrochemicals which was discovered as major constraint to adoption of CRIN TC (TC1-TC8) cocoa hybrid technology

Coping strategies utilized among small ruminant farmers during the dry season in Ekiti State, Nigeria

The study assessed use of coping strategies by small ruminant farmers during the dry season in Ekiti State. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. The result of the study revealed that the average age of the respondents was 47 years and females (78.3 percent) dominate small ruminant rearing in the study area. Coping strategies used during dry season include use of stored crop residue (23.1 percent), use of fresh forage (20.3 percent), increased ration of feeds per meal (19.3 percent) and herd thinning (18.4 percent). There was no significant relationship between constraints to the use of the coping strategies and attitude of farmers towards the use of the coping strategies (r = -0.03, p = 0.72). The study concludes that Crop/livestock combination will go a long way in ensuring crop residue availability during the dry season

Linking maize farmers to market: a case study of private extension service in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

The challenges of feeding the world and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for small-scale farmers remain greater today than ever before. This is largely because efficient market systems and better coordinated commodity chains are rarely in place. There is therefore the need for shift from production-oriented agricultural extension services towards market orientation involving multi-stakeholder partnerships. This study therefore investigated how private extension services in Nigeria are responding to these needs. Using an explorative case study, this paper presents the activities of a private extension outfit along maize value chain in Ogun state, Nigeria. The study revealed that the outfit performs functions that are not limited to knowledge transfer but as well building integration and interaction among the diverse actors. The study further identified crucial performance indicators to evaluate success and ensure sustainability of the actors. Challenges such as breach of trust and sharp practices were also identified as obstacles to this approach. Meanwhile, the farmers were able to experience improved linkage to market as a result of the well coordinated maize value chain. These findings had therefore demonstrated on how private extension services in Nigeria is responding proactively to the pressure of changing roles and additional responsibilities on extension by rendering services that are not fully covered in public extension services

Linking maize farmers to market: a case study of private extension service in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

The challenges of feeding the world and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for small-scale farmers remain greater today than ever before. This is largely because efficient market systems and better coordinated commodity chains are rarely in place. There is therefore the need for shift from production-oriented agricultural extension services towards market orientation involving multi-stakeholder partnerships. This study therefore investigated how private extension services in Nigeria are responding to these needs. Using an explorative case study, this paper presents the activities of a private extension outfit along maize value chain in Ogun state, Nigeria. The study revealed that the outfit performs functions that are not limited to knowledge transfer but as well building integration and interaction among the diverse actors. The study further identified crucial performance indicators to evaluate success and ensure sustainability of the actors. Challenges such as breach of trust and sharp practices were also identified as obstacles to this approach. Meanwhile, the farmers were able to experience improved linkage to market as a result of the well coordinated maize value chain. These findings had therefore demonstrated on how private extension services in Nigeria is responding proactively to the pressure of changing roles and additional responsibilities on extension by rendering services that are not fully covered in public extension services

Linking Maize Farmers to Market: A Case Study of Private Extension service in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This paper presents the activities of a private extension outfit along maize value chain in Ogun state, Nigeria. The study reveals that the outfit performs functions that are not limited to knowledge transfer but as well as building integration and interaction among the diverse actors. The study further identified crucial performance indicators to evaluate success and ensure sustainability of the actors. Challenges such as breach of trust and sharp practices were also identified as obstacles to this approach. Meanwhile, farmers were able to experience improved linkage to market as a result of the well coordinated maize value chain. These findings had therefore demonstrated how private extension services in Nigeria are responding proactively to the pressure of changing roles and additional responsibilities of extension by rendering services that are not fully covered in public extension services.Keywords: Private extension, Out-growers, Maize farmers

C9 Digital Platforms for Linking Agriculture Investors with Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria

The study assessed digital platforms used to link agriculture investors with smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Content analysis and In-depth interviews were used for the study. Three digital platforms, namely ThriveAgric, EZ Farming and Farmcrowdy were purposively chosen for this study. Results showed that ThriveAgric is user friendly, EZ Farming and Farmcrowdy provide risk assessment scores for easy monitoring. Also, ThriveAgric uses Agricultural Operating System (AOS) to track farmers’ activities. EZ Farming uses social media platforms for adverts and campaign while Farmcrowdy innovatively used the platform to render advisory services to the farmers. ThriveAgric and Farmcrowdy invested in crop and livestock production while EZ Farming areas of investments were crop, livestock, fisheries, farm equipment and hydroponics. Smallholder farmers’ derived benefits were mainly observed in the aspect of reduction in post-harvest losses. Untimely delivery of agricultural inputs and cost of running the platforms were identified as major impediments to effective deployment of the platform by the farmers and operators of the platforms respectively. Cost sharing mechanism should be incorporated in the partnership to ensure sustainability and win-win situation. Also regular review of the initiative by all the stakeholders is strongly recommended