Comparative analysis of the role of for-profit and non-profit private organizations in agricultural extension

The increasing private sector\'s participation in agricultural extension delivery is, complimenting significantly contributing to the public sector\'s effort. It is essential to understand how different private organizations with nuances and goals set about their extension service delivery to the mutual benefit of both the service provider and the clientele. This study investigated and compared the roles of for-profit the British American Tobacco Company and non-profit private organizations of the Farmers Development Union and the Diocesan Agricultural Development Programme in agricultural extension service delivery in South-western Nigeria. Data were collected using interview schedule from 218 for-profit and 304 non-profit organizations\' clientele selected by multistage random sampling technique, totalling 522 respondents. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean ages of respondents varied between 49.6 years and 47.1 years for profit-oriented and non-profit private organizations, respectively. At least 95% for-profit participants were married compared with 74.6% of the non-profit private organizations\' clientele. In the case of non-profit organizations there were significant relationships between the level of achievement and gender (x2 = 13.74, p < .01), land tenure status (x2 = 22.33,

Extents of sharp practices in credit allocation and utilization among staff and beneficiaries of the Bank of Agriculture in Oyo State

One of the strategies employed in the implementation of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) is to harness the roles of major stakeholders along the nodes of agricultural value chain. Pivotal among these are the financial institutions, one of which is the Bank of Agriculture (BOA). However, financial institutions are not immune to the widespread incidence of sharp practices (SPs) and corruption that have crumbled similar laudable programmes. Thus,the extent of SPs in credit allocation and utilization among staff and beneficiaries of BOAin Oyo State was examined.Simple random sampling technique was employed to select 135 respondents comprising 110 beneficiaries and 25 officers of the BOA for the study from the total number of registered BOA beneficiaries and staff. Primary data were obtained through questionnaires and interview schedules and analysedusing descriptive statistics - frequencies and percentages.Of the beneficiaries, 39.7% and 52% of the credit officers were between the ages of 41 and 50 and 51.8% of the beneficiaries were livestock farmers. Credit diversion and breach of contractual agreement were major forms of SPs respondents engaged in. High rate of default as well as lateness in the disbursement of farm credit were major problems in credit allocation and utilization. In conclusion, most of the respondents had unfavourable perception towards SPs, showing that they know it is counter-productive. Ironically, they engaged in it. The study recommends appropriate mechanisms including thorough monitoring, reward and sanction should be used to curb the SPs.Keywords: Credit allocation and utilisation, Sharp practices, Bank of Agriculture

Commodity Alliance Model – An Option for Advancing Private and Commercial Extension Service Delivery in Nigeria

Despite improved technologies and several extension approaches being tried in Nigeria, arable croppers’ productivity has been consistently low. Moreover farmers are usually not totally enthusiastic about sustained use of proven technologies due to unfavorable economic and policy environment within which they operate. More than ever before, farmers are being careful to produce only what they have been assured market for. Meanwhile, processors and produce-buyers are in short supply of raw materials. The government operated public extension tends to give much attention to production and less to post harvest handling and marketing. To induce farmers to produce optimally, effective innovative approaches to production and marketing that ensure adequate value addition and ultimate remunerative price for farmers’ produce would have to be in place. The presidential initiatives on cassava and rice have expanded the markets such that producers need inducement and special assistance from relevant agri-service providers in marketing their produce. To derive the desired impact of cassava initiative on the national economy, an efficient and well-integrated production and marketing system is necessary to assure a steady supply of cassava products to domestic industries and European markets. It is also in the same vein that rice producers need to be more structured in their production agenda and be assured of their produce markets. One of the innovative approaches being applied to boost cassava and rice production in Nigeria is the use of groups of out-growers. Several lessons have been learnt from two different cases in contract farming. The lessons culminated in an innovative private extension model where independent extension agency brokers an effective production and marketing environment for income yielding commodities. Based on the lessons learnt from selected projects, the Farm and Infrastructure Foundation (FIF) has packaged a strengthened commodity – alliance model for sourcing raw materials for agro-based companies using out-growers in Nigeria. In this innovative model FIF as an independent organization creates a platform for effective linkage of markets and farmers for each commodity, and integrating them in terms of fair price determination, information flow and issues resolution. The FIF model will create an in-road for strengthening private extension practice in Nigeria

Level of Utilization of Traditional and Orthodox Medicines by Rural Dwellers in Ile-Ogbo Community of Osun State, Nigeria

This study examined the level of utilization of traditional and orthodox medicine by rural dwellers in Ile-Ogbo community of Osun State. Structured questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data from one hundred and forty adult males and females who were randomly selected from the rural house list generated by snowball technique. Key primary data collected include the level of utilization of traditional, the level of utilization of orthodox medicine and the factors influencing the use of medicines. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, PPMC, t-test and regression analysis at p=0.05. Results indicate that 81.5% were between the ages of 20-59 years, 30.7% had no formal education and 41.4% had farming as their main occupation. Majority (82.9%) rated efficacy and safety as the most important factor influencing the use of orthodox medicine and 50.7% had preference for orthodox medicine. Household size (r=0.244) had low inverse but significant correlation with the utilization of orthodox medicine. With traditional medicine, there was a significant relationship (r=0.279) between household size and utilization. There existed a significant difference in the utilization of traditional medicine and orthodox medicine (t=-2.734), with orthodox medicine having higher use. It is paramount therefore for relevant agencies to ensure adequate supply of orthodox medical drugs in the rural health centers in order to meet the health needs of rural dwellers.Key words: Traditional medicine, Orthodox medicine, Utilizatio

Relevance of standardization and grading in marketing of grains in Nigeria. A survey of selected markets in Kwara State.

This study examines the relevance of standardization and grading as a facilitating function in marketing of grains. The various measurement units, their acceptability and adoption by the consumers and traders along with the relationship of prices to different grades of grains was critically assessed.The study revealed that there is no uniformity in any of the units and no rigid basis for sorting products into lots. Fifty-three percent of the respondents complained of frequent changes in the volume of a particular unit of measurement and 83 % of the consumer respondents indicated their willingness to pay more if grade of choice are available. It is further revealed that very often, consumers are given less quantity than what they bargained for and this constitutes a major problem for collection of accurate price data.To standardize grains marketing provision of containers that cannot be easily altered in size or volume is imperative.Keywords: Standardization and grading, grains marketing, Kwara State, Nigeri

Relationship between tested organoleptic qualities and the consumption pattern for selected poultry meat types in three Nigerian cities

The relationship between consumption pattern, consumers' preference and sensory quality ratings for some selected Nigerian poultry meat types (local chicken, exotic chicken, guinea fowl, duck and bush fowl) were investigated. While the consumption pattern and consumers' preference were assessed through a field survey using a structured questionnaire, the organoleptic quality rating were carried out by thirty carefully screened panel on a 9-point hedonic scale. The study revealed the fact that exotic chicken was the most consumed poultry meat in Nigeria, followed by local chicken, guinea fowl, duck and bush fowl in that order. Consumption of duck, guinea fowl and bush fowl was constrained by availability, cost and taboo. Local chicken meat was the most preferred, followed by guinea fowl, bush fowl, exotic chicken and lastly duck in that order. Interestingly, in the laboratory sensory rating of the poultry meat types, guinea fowl had the greatest acceptability, followed by bush fowl, local chicken, exotic chicken and lastly duck. This order of ranking could be attributed to the colour and flavour palatability trait scores and the fact that most respondents prefer slightly tough meat to soft ones. Keywords: Poultry meat types, organoleptic qualities, consumption pattern