Effect of Quality Service Indicators on the Attitude of Farmers towards Demand-driven Extension Services in Niger State, Nigeria

This study examined the effect of quality service indicators on the attitude of farmers towards demand-driven extension services in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data for the study were collected through a cross-sectional survey using interview schedule. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression models. Result of the study shows that almost 86.0% of the respondents acquired formal education. With respect to the respondents’ attitude towards demand-driven extension services, 98.9% showed favourable attitude while 1.1% were neutral. Findings further revealed that quality service indicators of content accuracy, relevance, timeliness and effectiveness of extension services had significant positive effect on farmer’s attitude towards demand-driven extension services (P<0.05), while efficiency of extension services had significant negative effect on farmers’ attitude towards demand-driven extension services. It was therefore recommended that the extension service providers should always strive to provide high quality services to ensure and sustain farmers’ favourable attitude towards demand-driven extension services. It was also suggested that government policy should be created to favour demand-driven extension service providers to function where they have the comparative advantage in providing farmers with relevant extension services. Keywords: farmers, demand driven extension, attitude, qualit

Extent of Extension Service Delivery for Agro-pastoralists in Niger State,Nigeria

The study examines the extent of agricultural extension services deleivery to agro-pastoralists in Niger State. Nigeria. Primary data were collected through field survey from agropastorialist from three purposely selected Local Government Areas in Niger State. Katcha, Paiko and Wushishi LGA’s were purposely selected by making sure they were in different agricultural zones of the Niger State namely Zone I, II and III respectively. Twenty percent of the agropastoralists house-hold population was sampled from each of three LGA randomly. A total of 210 household heads were sampled and interviewed using a semi structured survey instrument administered by trained enumerators who understood the local language. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyse the data. Results revealed that all (100%) of the household heads were all males and 67.7% acquired adult education while agro-pastoralism was the major occupation (98.1%). Majority (98.1%) of the agro-pastoralists claimed they were of Fulani ethnic group. Information on out break of diseases (mean=3.9); provision of grazing reserves (mean=3.7) were reported high. Majority (99.5%) of the respondents opined that lack of easy access to vaccines and non- proximity of veterinary clinic were major constraints. In the testing of hypotheses, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) showed a significant positive relationship between extent of extension service provision and the following variables namely Age (r =0.172; p<0.05), number of wives (r =0.163; p<0.05), number of children (r =0.222 and; p<0.05), and number of cows owned (r =0.221; p<0.05).  The result of Chi-square analysis shows that there was a significant relationship between Extent of extension provision and the settlement type (X2 =10.21; p<0.05), Extent of extension provision and educational level (X2 =12.20;p<0.05). It was recommended that government should make adequate arrangement for provision of neccessary infra-structure in the already gazzeted grazing reserve most especially vetinery clinics and make vaccine available and affordable for them. There is need to produce more radio programmes and also encourage formation of radio listening group since is one of the major source of information to their production system. Keywords: Agriculture, Extension service delivery, agropastoralist

Effect of Dry Season Tomato Farming on Poverty Alleviation among Women Farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Generally, the study examines the effect of dry season tomato farming on poverty alleviation among women farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examines the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the women dry season tomato farmers, their major sources of resources for tomato farming, marketing and marketing channels for tomato produced as well as the monthly income generated from the sales of harvested tomatoes and the effect on poverty alleviation in terms of provision for food, clothing, housing, health care and children’s education. Three Local Government Areas (LGAs), from each of  the three geo-political zones of the State were purposively selected .A total of 15 villages were randomly selected from these LGAs and based on the  preponderance of women tomato farmers, respondents were purposively selected to give a total of 233 . Findings showed that over one-half of the respondents (52.4%), had formal education and married (53.2%), with majority (91.3%), of them having four and more people in their households.Morever,41.6% of the women practiced farming as their major occupation. Furthermore, over two-thirds of them cultivated 0.5ha of tomato farm, while only 2.1% of them cultivated above 1ha. Findings indicated that majority of them had more than four years tomato farming experience and access to farm land was never a problem but many of them (51.9%), relied mostly on family labour. Niger State Agricultural Development (NSADP) plays a leading role in the provision of relevant technical information to most of the women farmers especially, in the areas of improved seed varieties among others. Results showed that many of the women (61.7%),usually sold their produce at the village markets ,mostly every week either in retails or in bulks or both(47.6%) with an estimated monthly income of between N6,000 and N15,000 by many of them (63%).In view of this, their expenditure performances indicated that many of the women farmers were above average in meeting the following basic  needs; food (52%), clothing (48.1%), housing (57%),health care (39.9%) and children’s education (19.4%).Generally the effect of dry season tomato farming  on poverty reduction as indicated by majority of  the women farmers was on the high side. Chi-square tests showed significant relationships between some independent variables and the effect of dry season tomato farming as strategy for poverty reduction;   household size ((Χ2=246.29,P<0.05), children’s education  (Χ 2= 353.3,P<0.05) and tomato farming experience (Χ 2 =121.7, P<0.05 ) as well as correlation between income generated and the effect of dry season tomato farming (r=0.85, P<0.05).Cobb-Douglas multiple regression analysis model  showed a significant relationship between contributions to household expenditures and the effect of dry season tomato farming (F=6.54,P<0.05). Housing (t= -3.85,P<0.05), clothing (t=-3.56,P<0.05) and food(t=-2.31,P<0.05) were inverse but significant in explaining 62% variation in the effect of dry season tomato farming on poverty reduction. This implies that the more the income realized to meet these basic needs the less the effect of poverty and vice – versa. Analysis of Variance also showed a significant difference between household size, income generated and the effect of dry season tomato farming on poverty alleviation (F=172.5, P<0.05).Conclusively, income generated from dry season tomato farming, to certain extent  helped in poverty reduction among women farmers. lt is recommended that  improved credit assistance and labour saving devices should be put in place to further empower women economically , while special attention is being paid to health care and children’s educatio

Effect of Dry Season Tomato Farming on Poverty Alleviation among Women Farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Generally, the study examines the effect of dry season tomato farming on poverty alleviation among women farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examines the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the women dry season tomato farmers, their major sources of resources for tomato farming, marketing and marketing channels for tomato produced as well as the monthly income generated from the sales of harvested tomatoes and the effect on poverty alleviation in terms of provision for food, clothing, housing, health care and children’s education. Three Local Government Areas (LGAs), from each of  the three geo-political zones of the State were purposively selected .A total of 15 villages were randomly selected from these LGAs and based on the  preponderance of women tomato farmers, respondents were purposively selected to give a total of 233 . Findings showed that over one-half of the respondents (52.4%), had formal education and married (53.2%), with majority (91.3%), of them having four and more people in their households.Morever,41.6% of the women practiced farming as their major occupation. Furthermore, over two-thirds of them cultivated 0.5ha of tomato farm, while only 2.1% of them cultivated above 1ha. Findings indicated that majority of them had more than four years tomato farming experience and access to farm land was never a problem but many of them (51.9%), relied mostly on family labour. Niger State Agricultural Development (NSADP) plays a leading role in the provision of relevant technical information to most of the women farmers especially, in the areas of improved seed varieties among others. Results showed that many of the women (61.7%),usually sold their produce at the village markets ,mostly every week either in retails or in bulks or both(47.6%) with an estimated monthly income of between N6,000 and N15,000 by many of them (63%).In view of this, their expenditure performances indicated that many of the women farmers were above average in meeting the following basic  needs; food (52%), clothing (48.1%), housing (57%),health care (39.9%) and children’s education (19.4%).Generally the effect of dry season tomato farming  on poverty reduction as indicated by majority of  the women farmers was on the high side. Chi-square tests showed significant relationships between some independent variables and the effect of dry season tomato farming as strategy for poverty reduction;   household size ((Χ2=246.29,P<0.05), children’s education  (Χ 2= 353.3,P<0.05) and tomato farming experience (Χ 2 =121.7, P<0.05 ) as well as correlation between income generated and the effect of dry season tomato farming (r=0.85, P<0.05).Cobb-Douglas multiple regression analysis model  showed a significant relationship between contributions to household expenditures and the effect of dry season tomato farming (F=6.54,P<0.05). Housing (t= -3.85,P<0.05), clothing (t=-3.56,P<0.05) and food(t=-2.31,P<0.05) were inverse but significant in explaining 62% variation in the effect of dry season tomato farming on poverty reduction. This implies that the more the income realized to meet these basic needs the less the effect of poverty and vice – versa. Analysis of Variance also showed a significant difference between household size, income generated and the effect of dry season tomato farming on poverty alleviation (F=172.5, P<0.05).Conclusively, income generated from dry season tomato farming, to certain extent  helped in poverty reduction among women farmers. lt is recommended that  improved credit assistance and labour saving devices should be put in place to further empower women economically , while special attention is being paid to health care and children’s educatio

Optimum Farm Plans for Fadama Farms in Niger State, Nigeria

The study sought to determine the optimal farm plan for Fadama farms in Niger State, Nigeria. A Random sampling of 105 Fadama farm families were interviewed using structuredQuestionnaires, thoughonlyninetyeight were foundusable from the site of the studyat the endof the survey. Mostof the respondents(95%) weremalesandwere within the ages groups of21to 50years (75%). Half of the respondentsin the study areahadno formal education. 70% of the respondents were, however, married couples with family sizes of eight (8). They result of the linearprogramming analysis shows that only Rice Enterprise shouldbe carriedout on a 0.66ha ofland, as this willyieldan optimalreturn of =N=43,743.47/ha. Capital was the most limiting resource in the study area. Therefore farm families engaged in other enterprises (Sugarcane, Tomato/Pepper mixture and Cassava/Sweet Potato mixture) could equally divert their resources to the Production of Rice. It was recommendedthat more Landresources be allocated to Rice Production in the study area

Optimum Farm Plans for Fadama Farms in Niger State, Nigeria

The study sought to determine the optimal farm plan for Fadama farms in Niger State, Nigeria. A Random sampling of 105 Fadama farm families were interviewed using structuredQuestionnaires, thoughonlyninetyeight were foundusable from the site of the studyat the endof the survey. Mostof the respondents(95%) weremalesandwere within the ages groups of21to 50years (75%). Half of the respondentsin the study areahadno formal education. 70% of the respondents were, however, married couples with family sizes of eight (8). They result of the linearprogramming analysis shows that only Rice Enterprise shouldbe carriedout on a 0.66ha ofland, as this willyieldan optimalreturn of =N=43,743.47/ha. Capital was the most limiting resource in the study area. Therefore farm families engaged in other enterprises (Sugarcane, Tomato/Pepper mixture and Cassava/Sweet Potato mixture) could equally divert their resources to the Production of Rice. It was recommendedthat more Landresources be allocated to Rice Production in the study area

Adoption of Improved Rice Production Technologies among Youth Farmers in Gbako Local Government Area, Niger State

The study examined the adoption of improved rice production technologies by youths in Gbako L.G.A. of Niger State. To achieve the study objectives, 74 youth rice farmers were randomly selected from eight villages in the area using simple random technique. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Findings showed that fertilizer application was adopted by 79.72% of the respondents, while the least technology adopted was plant spacing practice as reported by 18.92% of the respondents. Results of the study also revealed that adoption of rice technologies had increased output/income, encouraged children education and improved health condition of the respondents. The study equally indicated that preferences for grains quality and straw yield are some of the reasons for adopting improved rice varieties. Furthermore, income, extension contact and social participation had significant relationship with adoption ( p< 0.05). The major constraints identified include pest invasion reported by 55.41 percent, followed by inadequate knowledge on plant spacing and planting time with 45.95% response and grazing problem as indicated by 25.68 % of the respondents. Based on the findings, it was suggested that more promising rice varieties that will meet the respondents’ preference and requirement for grains and straw yield should be developed. Moreso, a team approach to rice extension should be introduced to find holistic solution to the problems of pest and inadequate knowledg

ANALYSIS OF MARKET INTEGRATION OF MAIZE IN RURAL AND URBAN MARKETS OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

The study analyzed market integration of maize in the rural and urban markets of Oyo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: determine the market integration of maize price series, ascertain the market that causes integration and identify the direction of causality in the rural and urban markets of Oyo State, Nigeria. Average monthly price series of maize spanning from January 2008 to December 2018 were collected and analyzed using Augmented Dicky Fuller test to test for stationarity, Johansen co-integration test to test for co-integration, Index of Market Concentration (IMC) to determine market integration as well as the Granger causality test to find out the market that causes integration. The result of ADF test showed that the price series were non-stationary at levels but became stationary after first differencing and the co-integration test revealed the presence of co-integration between the rural and urban market price of maize. The Index of Market Concentration was less than one (p≤0.05) which implies the existence of short-run market integration between rural and urban markets in the study area. Also, the result of Granger causality shows both uni-directional and bi-directional causalities between rural and urban markets in the study area. The study concludes that there were both short and long run market integration between rural and urban markets with uni-directional and bi-directional causalities between the stated markets in the study area and therefore recommended that, government should establish market information centres and awareness programmes on mass media to facilitate efficient information flow among maize producers and consumers in the state

Adoption of Improved Rice Production Technologies among Youth Farmers in Gbako Local Government Area, Niger State

The study examined the adoption of improved rice production technologies by youths in Gbako L.G.A. of Niger State. To achieve the study objectives, 74 youth rice farmers were randomly selected from eight villages in the area using simple random technique. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Findings showed that fertilizer application was adopted by 79.72% of the respondents, while the least technology adopted was plant spacing practice as reported by 18.92% of the respondents. Results of the study also revealed that adoption of rice technologies had increased output/income, encouraged children education and improved health condition of the respondents. The study equally indicated that preferences for grains quality and straw yield are some of the reasons for adopting improved rice varieties. Furthermore, income, extension contact and social participation had significant relationship with adoption ( p< 0.05). The major constraints identified include pest invasion reported by 55.41 percent, followed by inadequate knowledge on plant spacing and planting time with 45.95% response and grazing problem as indicated by 25.68 % of the respondents. Based on the findings, it was suggested that more promising rice varieties that will meet the respondents’ preference and requirement for grains and straw yield should be developed. Moreso, a team approach to rice extension should be introduced to find holistic solution to the problems of pest and inadequate knowledg

Capacity Building Needs of Farmers for Safe Agro-chemical Use/Application in Niger State, Nigeria

In order to determine the capacity building needs of farmers for safe agro-chemicaluse in Niger State, the study examined awareness of safety measures for agrochemical usage, sources of awareness, practice of safety measures and training needs of farmers. One hundred and twenty farmers were randomly selected from three local government areas in the state. Validated interview schedule with reliability coefficient of 0.89 was used to collect data. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. All the respondents were aware of wearing of protective clothing and avoiding drinking/eating during spraying, safety measure such as avoiding off label use (7.50%) had low awareness level. The major sources of awareness were friend/relatives (55.00%). The most widely practised safety measure was avoiding ingesting or inhaling chemicals (91.67%), while the least practised safety measure was avoiding off label use (2.50%).Reasons given for not practicing some safety measures include heaviness of protective clothing (17.50%) and unreadable nature of instruction labels (14.17%). Major areas of training needs of the respondents were application (61.67%) and handling (52.50%) of agro-chemicals. A positive significant correlation existed between education (r =0.461), farming experience (r = 0.337), farm income (r = 0.307) and practice of safety measures. It was therefore recommended that enlightenment campaign should be carried out in the State to raise awareness level for safe use of agro-chemicals in the agricultural transformation programme, while the characters of the instruction labels should be boldly written to facilitate reading and practice of safety measures