Determinants of participation in agroforestry among farmers in Ondo state, Nigeria

The study assessed the determinants of farmers’ participation in agroforestry practices in Ondo State. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 120 respondents using the administrative structure of the State Agricultural Development Programme. Questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic characteristics, awareness, and participation in agroforestry practices among respondents. Chi-square, PPMC and regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Results indicate that more of the respondents participate in agrosilviculture, silvopastoral and agro-silvopastoral. Also, a significant relationship exists between respondents’ demographic characteristics and their level of participation. Respondents’ awareness, age and the constraints they encounter determined 53 percent of the variations in their participation in agroforestry practices. Effort should be made to help farmers overcome the constraints they encounter in agroforestry practice to help them in sustaining their environment.Keywords: Agroforestry practices, participation, farmers, awarenes

Grasscutter rearing as an urban agricultural practice in Ibadan Metropolis

The study reviewed grasscutter rearing as an urban agricultural practice in Ibadan metropolis. Focus group discussion was conducted for members of the Grasscutter Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ibadan branch, with headquarters at the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan. Also a sample of 35 of the 45 farms represented in the association was drawn and a pre-tested questionnaire administered. The study revealed that respondents use the intensive system of rearing with concrete cages and iron/wire mesh cages. With cost price of between N 500 and N 2,000, respondents were able to sell their animals at between N 1,000 and N 2,100. The animals produce a litter size of about 8 in a year which makes them make up to N5, 000 on each pair of animal annually. Provision of credit was the major limiting factor, while respondents were able to feed their families from proceeds from the practice. The profitability and conservability of the practice therefore needs to be further explored. (Af J Livestock Extension: 2002 1: 32-35

Environmental extension as effective tool for sustainable natural resource use

Environmental extension which is the propagation of sustained natural resource use involves dissemination of products of interaction between an entity and its surrounding in a manner of mutual relationship among its component. It should involve all possible interaction of all actors in environmental concerns, i.e. its users, researchers ad change agents in ways of horizontal dissemination of information to foster common understanding of the environment and its management. This paper suggests ways of maintaining bio-diversity through sustained use of natural resources and use of mass education through environmental extension. This should reduce the threat to man's existence by the depletion of environmental resources.. [JEXT Vol.1(1) 2000: 69-75

Wellbeing of Beneficiaries of the University Based Agricultural Extension System in Ogun State, Nigeria

The study assessed the wellbeing of farmers under the University Based Agricultural Extension System in selected communities in Ogun State. Multistage sampling procedure was deployed in sampling 60 each of UBAES and ADP beneficiaries. Interview schedule was used to gather data which was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics at P=0.05. UBAES beneficiaries mainly accessed training on harnessing farmers groups for increased production ( χ̄=2.72), family welfare and food nutrition programme ( χ̄=2.67) while their ADP counterparts had capacity building on financing agricultural production (χ̄=2.65) and training on harnessing farmers group for increased production (χ̄=2.37). Increased access to agricultural credit (χ̄ =1.67) and enhanced production skill ( χ̄=1.53) were benefits derived by ADP beneficiaries while UBAES beneficiaries had improved level of living ( χ̄=1.88) and increase in crop production ( χ̄=1.87) as benefits derived. UBAES beneficiaries were better off in material (81.7%), social (76.7%) and psychological (83.3%) wellbeing, while ADP beneficiaries were better off in economic (65.0%) wellbeing. Significant relationship existed between the estimated monthly income (r=0.249), frequency of service accessed (r= 0.0314) and wellbeing under UBAES. Significant difference (p= 0.000) was established between the wellbeing of UBAES and ADP beneficiaries. UBAES is considered a more potent platform for enhancing farmers’ wellbeing.Key words: UBAES beneficiaries, ADP beneficiaries, Extension Activities, Wellbein

Information seeking behaviour of fish farmers in Oyo State

The technical nature of fish farming requires that the knowledge of practitioners are constantly updated and this can be achieved through their enhanced information seeking behaviour as information use of fish farmers is crucial for effectively meeting their information needs. This study, thus, determined the information seeking behaviour among fish farmers in Oyo – State. One hundred and twenty respondents were interviewed for the study. These were selected from Ibadan/Ibarapa zone of Oyo State ADP using simple random sampling for registered farmers and snowball technique to compile list from which equal number of unregistered farmers were chosen as respondents. The relationship between personal characteristics such as age, educational attainment, marital status and information seeking behaviour was determined using chi-square. Also, the significant difference between level of production of respondents with high and low information seeking was determined using t-test statistics. Results showed that 89.2 percent of the respondents were married and 84.2 percent had formal education, and with mean age of 46 years. Fish farming was their main income generating activity. The registered farmers updated their knowledge often from different sourcesmost especially from extension agents. Age (X2 =87. 083,

Analysis of changes in cropping systems of farmers in Iseyin Local Government Area, Oyo State

This study considered the changes that have taken place in farmers cropping system over time. The changes were consequences of alternations in the environment's soil-vegetation-climate balance resulting from their exploitations. Data was gathered with structured questionnaires form 80 farmers in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State. It was discovered that changes have occurred in areas of management practices used by farmers (i.e. use of organic fertilizer, adoption of agroforestry practices, use of shifting cultivation and crop rotation as well as the intensified planting leguminous crops), crops cultivated by farmers (cassava, tomato, cowpea, and melon), while farmers have also had to adjust the crop combination adopted over time. The implication is that the changes must be taken in to consideration in designing sustainable agricultural system, while efforts are made to reduce the negative effects on the environment, occasioned by its exploitation to ensure sustainability.. [JEXT Vol.1(1) 2000: 76-81

Sustainable soil management practices of crop farmers in Mkpat-Enin local government area of Akwa-Ibom State.

Sustainability which is the successful management of resources for agriculture to satisfy the changing human needs and the capacity to remain productive and at the same time conserving the resource base, is the focus of this study. Therefore, the various conventional methods of managing soil, which are commonly being practiced by crop farmers were considered. The study examines the sustainable soil management practices of crop farmers in Mkpat-Enin Local Government Area of Akwa- Ibom state. A sample of 150 farmers were selected through multi-stage random sampling technique. Results show that majority of the crop farmers were females in their working population with educational status of less than secondary education. It shows that there is no significant relationship between the demographic characteristics of crop farmers and their use of sustainable soil management practices. The result also revealed the level of use of sustainable soil management practices. The result shows that there is no significant relationship between sustainable soil management practices used and yield of crops (r = -0.0162, p= -0.8450). It also shows that productivity of farmers is significantly related to the sustainable soil management practices used (r =0.2602, p = 0.001) and there is significant relationship between farmers yields and farm size (r = 0.9905; p = 0.001) while productivity also showed significant relationship with farm size (r = 0.9947, p = 0.000). There is therefore, the need to encourage farmers to use sustainable soil management practices through removing the constraints they encounter. [JEXT Vol.3 2002: 80-88