Pre-disposing factors to HIV/AIDS Pandemic among Fisher-folks in the Kainji Lake Basin of Nigeria

The paper examined the pre-disposing factors to HIV AIDS vulnerability in the fisheries sector of Kainji Lake Basin Thirty fishing communities were selected for data collection through the use of questionnaires Data were analysed using descriptive statistics correlation and factor analysis The findings revealed level of western education among the respondents is very low The correlation analysis for respondents socio-economic characteristics and HIV AID vulnerability revealed that only the respondents education variable impacted significantly on the level estimated number as well as the HIV AIDS cases reported For the socio - cultural factors contributing to HIV AIDS vulnerability family planning is believed to offend their gods Principal component analysis revealed that risky occupation multiple sexual partners women don t have control believed that family planning is offend the gods forced sex talking to children and engaging in sex before marriage are the principal respondents drive factors that makes fisherfolks vulnerable to HIV AIDS The study made recommendations to addressing HIV AIDS in the are

An Assessment of the Effects of Root and Tuber Expansion Project (RTEP) on the Livelihood of Cassava Processors in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to assess the effects of the Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) on the livelihood of project beneficiaries in Kwara State, Nigeria. A 3-stage sampling technique was adopted for the study, selecting a total of 80 cassava processors from two Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones in the State. Structured interview schedule was used as instrument to elicit primary data from processors. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the socio economic characteristics of the respondents. The t-test was used to test the hypotheses on the relationship between the income and livelihood of RTEP beneficiaries and non beneficiaries, while those on the socio economic characteristics was tested using the Mann-Whitney (U) test. The findings of the study showed that RTEP provided more than 73 percent of total cassava processing equipment in the study area. The study further revealed that there was no significant difference in the socio-economic characteristics and livelihood of RTEP and Non RTEP participants. There was however a significant difference in their income. Amongst others, the study recommended massive investment in subsidizing critical cassava processing equipment, and provision of micro-credit at low interest rates to cassava processors

Constraints limiting the effectiveness of extension agents in disseminating climate-smart agricultural practices among rice farmers in north-Central Nigeria

Climate-smart agricultural practices play a crucial role in achieving national food security and development goals, and the significance of extension agents in this endeavor is invaluable. In view of this, this study investigated the constraints limiting the effectiveness of extension agents in disseminating climate-smart agricultural practices to rice farmers in North-central, Nigeria. The study specifically examined the socioeconomic characteristics of the extension agents, the dissemination pathways employed by them, constraints limiting the extension agents from effectively disseminating climate-smart agricultural practices, and the factors that influence their constraints. Data for the study were collected using a well-structured questionnaire administered to a total of 88 respondents selected through a multistage sampling procedure. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and Pearson product–moment correlation. The result showed that the respondents had a mean age of 48 years, the majority were males (93.2%), married (95.5%), and (85.2%) had tertiary education. Dissemination pathway/ method mostly used by the extension were; farm and home visits (̅ = 1.73), result demonstration (̅ = 1.66), and methods demonstration (̅ = 1.58). The constraints impeding the extension agents in disseminating CSA practices were; insufficient number of extension workers to provide services for a large number of farmers (̅ = 1.87), lack of incentives for staff motivation (̅ = 1.83), inadequate means of transportation (̅ = 1.83), were ranked 1st,2nd, and 3rd, respectively. There was a negative significant correlation (p = 0.05) between the number of training and personal constraints, as well as institutional constraints (p = 0.017) in the dissemination of climate-smart agricultural practices. Therefore, it is recommended that extension agents receive periodic training and incentives such as awards, cash rewards, promotions, and staff recognition from government bodies to enhance their performance

An Assessment of the Effects of Root and Tuber Expansion Project (RTEP) on the Livelihood of Cassava Processors in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to assess the effects of the Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) on the livelihood of project beneficiaries in Kwara State, Nigeria. A 3-stage sampling technique was adopted for the study, selecting a total of 80 cassava processors from two Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones in the State. Structured interview schedule was used as instrument to elicit primary data from processors. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the socio economic characteristics of the respondents. The t-test was used to test the hypotheses on the relationship between the income and livelihood of RTEP beneficiaries and non beneficiaries, while those on the socio economic characteristics was tested using the Mann-Whitney (U) test. The findings of the study showed that RTEP provided more than 73 percent of total cassava processing equipment in the study area. The study further revealed that there was no significant difference in the socio-economic characteristics and livelihood of RTEP and Non RTEP participants. There was however a significant difference in their income. Amongst others, the study recommended massive investment in subsidizing critical cassava processing equipment, and provision of micro-credit at low interest rates to cassava processors

Climate Change Mitigation Activities and Determinants in the Rural Guinea Savannah of Nigeria

Nigeria loses about $750 million annually to the depletion of its 350 000 hectares of land by direct human activities and climate change. Consequently, the Sahara Desert has been moving southwards by 600 metres annually. 10 000 farming families have already been forced to move off the degraded land that has become barren. In the light of this, this study examined climate mitigation activities and determinants in Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined climate change knowledge/perception, cost implications and mitigation practices of rural households as well as factors responsible for the level of mitigation activities. 120 household respondents were selected across 8 communities in the Guinea Savannah of Kwara State, Nigeria. Study analytical tools used were descriptive statistics, principal component and Tobit analysis. Results showed that households perceived the effects of increased temperatures, reduced rainfall, desertification, flooding and increased crop pest and disease infestations. Crop harvest losses due to changing climate were large and worrisome. Principal component analysis PCA results implied that prevalent practices undertaken to combat climate change were crude and non-radical. These activities were inorganic and organic fertilizers use, mulching, bush fallow and crude agro-forestry practices. Factors determining the extent of mitigation activities were found to include educational status, type of farming activities and farm size. The study therefore calls for radical efforts at educating the rural masses on climate change devastations and the need for mitigating climate change, use of early maturing crop varieties. Green zone/forest should be developed while tree planting and afforestation should be encouraged and possibly enforced

Capacity building needs of poultry farmers for quail production in Kwara State, Nigeria

This paper investigated the capacity building needs of poultry farmers for quail production in Kwara State, Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to elicit information from 80 randomly sampled poultry farmers from the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Kwara State Chapter. The findings revealed that the majority (70.0%) of the poultry farmers were male with a mean age of 44 years, married (75.0%) and formally educated (98.75%). The poultry farmers were mostly (78.75%) small-scale producers rearing less than or equal to 500 birds on their farms. Capacity building was highly needed for quail husbandry and management practices, feeding and nutrition, housing and equipment, processing and marketing of products, among others. Seven challenges were identified by the poultry farmers as severe challenges militating against the diversification of their poultry enterprise to include quail production. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between the poultry farmers’ capacity building needs for quail production and their age (X2 = 5.545), educational level (X2 = 11.859) and years of farming experience (X2 = 9.604). It was recommended that extension agencies should package a robust training programme for poultry farmers on the areas of capacity deficiencies indicated for quail production