Socioeconomic Impact of SG 2000 Quality Protein Maize (QPM) Technology Delivery on Beneficiaries in Bauchi and Gombe States

The study assessed the impact of SG – 2000 QPM technology adoption on beneficiaries in Bauchi and Gombe States, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to determine the socioeconomic characteristics of the beneficiaries, identify beneficiaries sources of information on maize production, assess beneficiaries’ perception of the project, assess the impact of QPM technology adoption on the socioeconomic life of beneficiaries and identify constraints encountered by the beneficiaries in technology adoption. Purposive sampling was used in sampling 90 beneficiaries and 90 non- beneficiaries’ farmers to give a total of 180 from 10 Local Government Areas where maize is cultivated. The instrument for data collection was a structured interview schedule developed on a 3 – point Likert – type scales. Mean, percentage, t – test and factor analysis were used for data analysis. The study show that the project made a significant (P ≤ 0.05) impact on the project participants in the following socioeconomic possessions: number of milling machine (t = 11.331), quantity of maize harvested (t = 2.794), number of motorcycle owned (t = 4.040), number of wrist watch owned (t = 3.861), number of associations/clubs belonged (t = 3.038) and the number poultry birds owned (t = 2.071) in Gombe State. While, in Bauchi State, the project made significant (P ≤ 0.05) impact on number of ceiling/fans owned (t = 2.783), number of radios owned (t = 1.08), number of television owned (t = 1.457) and the number of cattle owned (t = 2.493). The major challenges encountered by the beneficiaries in technology adoption were socioeconomic, farm inputs, poor policy support and production related constraints. The study recommended that SG – 2000 QPM technology delivery should ensure timely distribution of inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides and subsidies on farm inputs. In addition, modern farm implements such as tractor should be made available to the beneficiaries to reduce drudgery associated with simple farm tools and to increase farm size per farmer

A Review of Policies, Acts and Initiatives in Rice Innovation System in Nigeria

A review of rice policies, acts and initiatives in Nigeria is presented under pre-ban period (1971-1985); ban period (1986-1995); and post ban period (1995-date). The key actors and the elements of acts and initiatives in the rice innovation systems were identified and presented. The growth in rice demand as a preferred staple has been so strong that production intensification and higher yields per ha was not sufficient to fill the gap and meet rice demand. In spite of successes recorded in rice production, there were a lot of gaps in the system.  The policies, acts and initiatives failed to recognize the problems of the stakeholders because they were detached and foreign to the tradition and cultural practices of the stakeholders. The country’s policy on rice has been inconsistent and has oscillated between import tariffs and import restrictions including outright ban. Pressure from international financial organizations, such as the World Bank, World Trade Organization, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) helped in introducing distortions in the policies. Efforts by all stakeholders, the desirable political will by government and sound agricultural rice policy are essential to ensure that necessary conditions exist in meeting rice production.Â

Linkage Mechanisms among key Actors in Rice Innovation System in Southeast Nigeria

A nation’s ability to solve problems and sustain economic growth depends partly on its capabilities in science, technology, and innovation. In assessment of linkage mechanisms among key actors in rice innovation system in southeast Nigeria, actors were classified into six major groups according to their main activity in the system namely research agency, policy personnel, technology transfer agencies, farmers, marketers and consumers. These constituted the population of the study. A total sample size of 539 respondents, made up of 40 researchers, 76 policy personnel, 96 technology transfer agencies, 196 farmers, 51 marketers and 80 consumers were used. Percentages and means were used in data analysis. The study revealed that among the actors in rice innovation system, NCRI and IITA had link with technology transfer agencies, IITA had link with the Ministry of Agriculture. the Ministry of Agriculture had link with farmers ( X =2.51) and NAFDAC had link with researchers ( X =2.83). Among technology transfer agencies, ADP had link with researchers ( X =3.00), policy personnel ( X =2.88), farmers ( X =3.00) and Federal Ministry of Commerce had link with researchers ( X =2.73). Marketers had link with policy personnel ( X =2.72) and farmers ( X =2.68), while consumers had link with farmers ( X =2.72). The major linkage mechanisms that existed among the actors was dissemination of knowledge and information ( X = 3.00). The study concludes that for increase in rice production in southeast Nigeria, there is need for strong linkages among the actors in the rice innovation system

A Review of Policies, Acts and Initiatives in Rice Innovation System in Nigeria

A review of rice policies, acts and initiatives in Nigeria is presented under pre-ban period (1971-1985); ban period (1986-1995); and post ban period (1995-date). The key actors and the elements of acts and initiatives in the rice innovation systems were identified and presented. The growth in rice demand as a preferred staple has been so strong that production intensification and higher yields per ha was not sufficient to fill the gap and meet rice demand. In spite of successes recorded in rice production, there were a lot of gaps in the system.  The policies, acts and initiatives failed to recognize the problems of the stakeholders because they were detached and foreign to the tradition and cultural practices of the stakeholders. The country’s policy on rice has been inconsistent and has oscillated between import tariffs and import restrictions including outright ban. Pressure from international financial organizations, such as the World Bank, World Trade Organization, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) helped in introducing distortions in the policies. Efforts by all stakeholders, the desirable political will by government and sound agricultural rice policy are essential to ensure that necessary conditions exist in meeting rice production.Â

Linkage Mechanisms among key Actors in Rice Innovation System in Southeast Nigeria

A nation’s ability to solve problems and sustain economic growth depends partly on its capabilities in science, technology, and innovation. In assessment of linkage mechanisms among key actors in rice innovation system in southeast Nigeria, actors were classified into six major groups according to their main activity in the system namely research agency, policy personnel, technology transfer agencies, farmers, marketers and consumers. These constituted the population of the study. A total sample size of 539 respondents, made up of 40 researchers, 76 policy personnel, 96 technology transfer agencies, 196 farmers, 51 marketers and 80 consumers were used. Percentages and means were used in data analysis. The study revealed that among the actors in rice innovation system, NCRI and IITA had link with technology transfer agencies, IITA had link with the Ministry of Agriculture. the Ministry of Agriculture had link with farmers ( X =2.51) and NAFDAC had link with researchers ( X =2.83). Among technology transfer agencies, ADP had link with researchers ( X =3.00), policy personnel ( X =2.88), farmers ( X =3.00) and Federal Ministry of Commerce had link with researchers ( X =2.73). Marketers had link with policy personnel ( X =2.72) and farmers ( X =2.68), while consumers had link with farmers ( X =2.72). The major linkage mechanisms that existed among the actors was dissemination of knowledge and information ( X = 3.00). The study concludes that for increase in rice production in southeast Nigeria, there is need for strong linkages among the actors in the rice innovation system

Capabilities of Universities in Achieving the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in Nigeria: Evidence from Climate Change Study in Southeast, Nigeria

The study examined the capabilities of universities in combating the problems of climate change towards increased food production. A total sample size of 79 respondents selected from universities in Southeast, Nigeria was used. Data were collected with the use of questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including percentage and factor analysis. All (100%) the respondents had no capability in acquiring machines and equipment needed for teaching and conducting researches on climate change. Majority (85%) of the respondents had no capability in terms of human resource development with regards to climate change. Funding/manpower (0.657), organizational (0.575) and weak policy (0.565) related factors influenced the development of the capabilities of the respondents. For a successful agricultural transformation that will not be marred by the negative impact of climate change, the study recommends that the Federal Government of Nigeria should provide adequate funding to the universities in order to enhance the development of their capabilities in acquiring machines and other things needed for the teaching and research in climate change related issues. Also, bodies concerned should provide regular in-service training for respondents in other to promote human resource needed for tackling climate change issues

Capabilities of Universities in Achieving the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in Nigeria: Evidence from Climate Change Study in Southeast, Nigeria

The study examined the capabilities of universities in combating the problems of climate change towards increased food production. A total sample size of 79 respondents selected from universities in Southeast, Nigeria was used. Data were collected with the use of questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including percentage and factor analysis. All (100%) the respondents had no capability in acquiring machines and equipment needed for teaching and conducting researches on climate change. Majority (85%) of the respondents had no capability in terms of human resource development with regards to climate change. Funding/manpower (0.657), organizational (0.575) and weak policy (0.565) related factors influenced the development of the capabilities of the respondents. For a successful agricultural transformation that will not be marred by the negative impact of climate change, the study recommends that the Federal Government of Nigeria should provide adequate funding to the universities in order to enhance the development of their capabilities in acquiring machines and other things needed for the teaching and research in climate change related issues. Also, bodies concerned should provide regular in-service training for respondents in other to promote human resource needed for tackling climate change issues

Emerging Policy issues in the Special Crop Productions Programme of Benue State

This study was carried out to examine the characteristics of the Special Crop Production Programme of the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture, Makurdi and highlight the emerging policy issues. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire from 120 respondents who were randomly selected. Analysis of data was carried out using percentages and mean scores. Results showed that, procurement and distribution of inputs (improved seeds, fertilizer and herbicides) were insufficient and untimely provided. The situation forced farmers to acquire most of their input from the open market at exorbitant prices. Farmers were not involved in the planning of the programme and the extension personnel attached to the programme were not sufficient for effective delivery of extension services to farmers. The recommendations are that policy should be put in place to ensure early procurement and distribution of inputs at affordable prices, organize farmers into farmers associations and co-operatives to help pool farm lands, input procurement, and access to the use of machinery and providing market outlets for disposing farmers’ outputs. This way a veritable extension policy for crop production will be ensured in Nigeri

Emerging Policy issues in the Special Crop Productions Programme of Benue State

This study was carried out to examine the characteristics of the Special Crop Production Programme of the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture, Makurdi and highlight the emerging policy issues. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire from 120 respondents who were randomly selected. Analysis of data was carried out using percentages and mean scores. Results showed that, procurement and distribution of inputs (improved seeds, fertilizer and herbicides) were insufficient and untimely provided. The situation forced farmers to acquire most of their input from the open market at exorbitant prices. Farmers were not involved in the planning of the programme and the extension personnel attached to the programme were not sufficient for effective delivery of extension services to farmers. The recommendations are that policy should be put in place to ensure early procurement and distribution of inputs at affordable prices, organize farmers into farmers associations and co-operatives to help pool farm lands, input procurement, and access to the use of machinery and providing market outlets for disposing farmers’ outputs. This way a veritable extension policy for crop production will be ensured in Nigeri

A framework for agricultural adaptation to climate change in Southern Nigeria

The agricultural sector which contributes between 20-50% of gross domestic product in Africa and employs about 60% of the population is greatly affected by climate change impacts. Agricultural productivity and food prices are expected to rise due to this impact thereby worsening the food insecurity and poor nutritional health conditions in the continent. Incidentally, the capacity in the continent to adapt is very low. Addressing these challenges will therefore require a holistic and integrated adaptation framework hence this study. A total of 360 respondents selected through a multi-stage random sampling technique participated in the study that took place in Southern Nigeria from 2008-2011. Results showed that majority of respondents (84%) were aware that some climate change characteristics such as uncertainties at the onset of farming season, extreme weather events including flooding and droughts, pests, diseases, weed infestation, and land degradation have all been on the increase. The most significant effects of climate change that manifested in the area were declining soil fertility and weed infestation. Some of the adaptation strategies adopted by farmers include increased weeding, changing the timing of farm operations, and processing of crops to reduce post-harvest losses. Although majority of respondents were aware of government policies aimed at protecting the environment, most of them agreed that these policies were not being effectively implemented. A mutually inclusive framework comprising of both indigenous and modern techniques, processes, practices and technologies was then developed from the study in order to guide farmers in adapting to climate change effects/impacts