Economic implications of pastoralists -farmers’ conflicts on agroforestry farming in North Central Nigeria

This study examines the escalating conflict between the farmers and the pastoralists in the North Central region of Nigeria. The  conflicts have reached an alarming rate in recent times as examined. It has not only led to social disorder but has also left an unfortunate indelible mark on the agroforestry farmers in terms of their productivity. The study examines the pastoralists-farmers’ conflicts in north central Nigeria with regard to the economic implication the conflicts specifically have on the agroforestry farmers as well as their productivity in general. North Central Nigeria was purposely selected for the study because of the severity of the prevailing conflicts between the farmers and the pastoralists (Abugu and Onuba, 2015). Out of the six states that make up the North Central in Nigeria, three (3) states: Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states were purposely chosen being the most affected states (Abugu et. al., 2015). ne hundred and eighty (180) questionnaires were prepared and administered to the selected agroforestry farmers within the region. The questionnaires solicited for the following information: demographic characteristics of the respondents, causes of farmer- pastoralist conflicts, economic implication of farmer- pastoralist conflicts, frequency of conflict, among others. Keywords: Economic Implication, Pastoralist, Farmers, Conflic

Impact of pastoralists-farmers’ conflicts on agroforestry farmers’ psychology and agricultural production in north central Nigeria

The study examined the escalating conflict between the farmers and the pastoralists in the North Central region of Nigeria with regard to its impact on the psychology and productivity of agroforestry farmers. Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states were reported to be the most affected by farmer- pastoralist conflicts in North Central Nigeria, they were therefore purposively selected for the study. The local governments that are most affected by the conflicts were also selected in each state. 25% of agroforestry farmers in each of the selected local government were randomly selected for the study. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) well-structured questionnaires were administered to farmers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage while the correlation coefficient (r) was used to draw inferences between the variables of the hypotheses. The study found out that 29% of the respondents were between the ages of 31-40, 75.6% were male, 69.8% were married, 37.2% had secondary education and majority of them (83.8%) were Christians. Also, 67.8% of them take farming as their main occupation. 40% of them has 6-10 acres of farm size. The Spearman’s rho correlation analysis revealed that demographics characteristics [age (r= -0.341; p= 0.000) education status (r= 0.200; p= 0.008) and household size (r= 0.151; p= 0.042)] of the respondents significantly correlated with the impact the conflict had on respondents’ psychology. The correlation coefficient (R)) showed that frequency of conflict is significantly related to respondents’ agricultural loss (r=0.183; p=0.025) and that the conflicts impact on respondents’ psychology is significantly correlated with their agricultural productiity (r=0.1357; p=0.034)

Determinants of Food Security among Forest-Based Households in Oyo State, Nigeria

The growth of food insecurity kept increasing despite numerous policies and programmes geared towards improving the living standards of rural households in Nigeria. This study assessed the determinants of food security among forest-based households in Oyo state, Nigeria by obtaining data from 240 respondents with the aid of well-structured questionnaires and interview guide. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics and logit regression model. The result of the descriptive statistics showed that the mean age of the respondents was ±42, about 65% of the respondents were female while 60% were married and about 43% had primary education. Also, the results revealed that most respondents (67%) produced food by themselves, 65% of them took two square meals per day and 70% skip meals as a coping strategy due to insufficient food. Furthermore, logistic regression model reveals that sex, household size, household’s head income and land ownership have significant effects on rural household food security in the study area. The study thus recommends that food stabilization and creation of job opportunities such as crafting and agro- allied activities should be given a desired attention in the rural area. Keywords: Food security, forest-resources,determinants, per capita expenditur

Marketing, distribution and consumption of fish in Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

Like other developing countries, Nigeria faces a lot of problems confronting fish marketing such as dwindling profit due to fish spoilage as post-harvest losses occur more frequently particularly in the rainy reason, lack of improved technology for the management of fish production, inefficient harvesting methods and wastefulness due to lack of infrastructural facilities. This study assessed fish marketing, distribution and consumption in Ido Local Government Area (LGA), Oyo State, Nigeria. A two-stage random sampling technique was usedwhile descriptive statistics (frequency distribution and percentage frequencies) and inferential statistics (such as multiple regression analysis and budgetary analysis) were used for the analysis. The study concluded that fish marketing was a profitable business though with a small profit margin. The study thus recommended that micro lending programmes should be given a needful attention and priority to increase the entrepreneurs’ income and bring about a massive economic prospect for Ido LGA in particular and Oyo State Nigeria in general. Key words: constraints, consumption, determinant, fish, marketing, profi

Assessment of Extension Officers Contribution to Cocoa Production in Nigeria

This study was carried out to evaluate the extension officer contribution to cocoa production in Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used, where two hundred and sixteen questionnaires were distributed in Osun and Ondo state , the information gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistic such as; frequency and percentage, while chi-square analysis was used to analyze the data obtained. From the results, married (77.6%),  male (84.0%), secondary school holders (52.0%), between 40-49 (34.4%) years old farmers were seen as the highest cocoa producers. Extension training(64.0%), commercial agents(64.0%), fellowship(52.8%), self observation(76.0%) were the best source of information on extension service of cocoa farming , most respondents (65.0%); get extension training programme at regular basis, identified Constraints facing cocoa production in the study area includes deficient credit facilities, high cost of labour, bad road, poor marketing/storage facilities, lack of technical knowledge / assess to technical tools and so on. in view of afore mentioned result it is therefore recommended that the government should make loan available to the cocoa famers at very low interest rate and urge cocoa farmers to form cooperative society, strengthen their agricultural extension agents so that they will be able to rain cocoa farmers on the basic things they should know about primary processing such as fermentation and drying of cocoa beans in improving the quality in Nigeria to meet international market. Keywords: Assessment, Extension officer, Contribution, Farmers, Cocoa productio