Application of Agricultural Extension Principles to Information Dissemination among Extension Workers in Delta State, Nigeria: Implications for Urban Agriculture

The study identified the various channels used for information dissemination among researchers and determined the level of application of extension principles to extension works among urban farmers in Delta State. About 120 extension workers were purposively selected from the two research institutes in the State with the use of structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed with the Logistic Regression. Results showed that about 60.0% of the extension workers had their background in extension discipline while the remaining 40% were Subject Matter Specialists (SMS). Among the numerous channels available for information dissemination, only farm visit was regularly used and extension principles based on needs and Proffering solutions to farmers problems were commonly practiced. Age (t=2.169; p≤0.05), education (t=1.709;p≤0.05) and rank significantly determined frequency of application of extension principles in the study area. It was concluded that extension workers in the State demonstrated professionalism in the discharge of their duties considering the adoption of the two basic principles of working with the farmers to solve their problems and needs oriented approach. It is recommended that extension workers should be more focused on urban farming especially if the current food crisis is to be ameliorated in Nigeria. Keywords: Information, urban farming, principles, agricultural extensio

Influence of information sources on farmers knowledge of poultry drugs in Delta State, Nigeria: implication for rural community development

The study examined the influence of information source on farmers’ knowledge of poultry drugs in Delta State, Nigeria: Implication for rural community development. The study objectives were to ascertain the institutional characteristics of respondents, their access to information sources, awareness/knowledge of poultry drugs, and to ascertain if there is significant relationship between institutional characteristics of poultry farmers and their access to source of information on poultry drugs in the study area. A 3-stage sampling procedure was used to select respondents. The primary data used in this study were obtained from field surveyed through the use of structured questionnaire administered to 100 respondents. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviation and Chi-square. Higher number (67%) of the respondents have never been leader of groups, 62% of them had contact with extension agents and are members of associations respectively. Result showed that respondents have less access to information on poultry drugs usage as respondents have access only to neighbour (M=2.58) source out of the 18 sources of poultry drugs information identified in the study. Respondents are aware and have access to the use of avian charge (60%), happy hen treat (48.8%), petamine (45.0%), and tricero (32.5%) than other poultry farmers. Chi-Square results showed that all the information sources identified except campaign (0.762), exhibition (0.528), and workshop/seminar (2.607) at 1% level were significant. The study recommends that poultry drugs usage should be encouraged among farmers.Keywords: Information source, knowledge, poultry drugs, Delta State, community developmen

Information Needs of Youths involved in Urban Agriculture as Strategy for Checking Unemployment in Epe Lga of Lagos State, Nigeria

This study assessed the information needs of youths involved in urban agriculture in Epe LGA of Lagos state, Nigeria. Data was generated by means of structured questionnaire from 140 respondents and analyzed with frequency counts, percentages, means and chi-square was used for hypothesis testing. Most (50.7%) were males, majority (71.4%) were unemployed. Most (54.3%) need information on crop production, 35.0% source agriculture information through extension agents, urban agriculture can be a solace for unemployed (X = 4.27) was a high perception. Vegetable (\u3a7 =3.52), maize (\u3a7= 3.47), cassava (\u3a7 = 3.23) and fish production (\u3a7 4.12) was their major agricultural tasks. Unemployment was caused by laziness, lack of knowledge and god-fatherism. Respondents' level of education (\u3a72 = 13.465: p< 0.05) and primary occupation (\u3a72 = 7.125: p<0.05) had significant association with their perceived information needs. It was recommended that the department of agriculture in Epe LGA and the Lagos state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) should provide youths with information needed in agriculture especially crops and fish production where interest have been indicated

Evaluation of Extension Agents Commitment to the Agricultural Loans and Inputs Supply Programme on Special Rice Production in Delta State, Nigeria

The study evaluated the activities of Extension agents on Agricultural Loans and Inputs Supply Programme participant farmers\u2019 rice output/income. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaire from 60 Extension agents (participating in the ALIS programme) randomly selected from 6 LGAs (where the programme is being implemented) of Delta State. Data were also collected from 80 participant and 80 non- participant farmers\u2019 of the programme. Results of data analysis reveals that all the Extension agents are males and are married. Most (40%) of them belong to the age bracket of 30 \u2013 39 years, with a high proportion (48.3%) of them having HND/first degree and a good number of them (28.3%) having 5 \u2013 6 years experience in the ALIS programme. Major functions carried out by the Extension agents in the ALIS programme were advisory role (2.75), training farmers on inputs use (2.67) and demonstrating inputs use (2.65). The roles of the Extension agents on the farmers made a significant difference in out (176.25kg) and income \u20a653,468.75 in favour participants. Important inputs provided by the extension agents are farm size, improved seeds and farm chemicals like fertilizer and urea. Some important constraints facing the programme according to the Extension agents were limited coverage of farmers (3.23), wrong selection of programme participants (3.22), late delivery of inputs (3.15) and poor funding of the programme (3.05). Based on findings the study recommends that efforts should be made to deliver inputs promptly to farmers, ensure all necessary inputs are timely made available to farmers and in adequate quantities, there is need to ensure that only those farmers who depend on rice farming are selected to participate in the programme

Determinants of Access and Farmers\u2019 use of Information and Communication Technologies (1CTs) in Edo State, Nigeria

This study assessed determinants of farmers access and use of new ICTS in the study area. Data obtained from 270 respondents through multi-stage sampling technique were subjected to descriptive and logit regression analysis. The results show that GSM is the only new ICT farmers have access to (mean= 2.66) and use regularly (mean =3.44) while they have little or no access to and use either computer, E- mail or internet. This poor farmers access to and use of new ICTs can limit the extent of agricultural information they can receive. The probability of respondents having high access to new ICTS was significantly related to education (b = 0.784) and farming income, (b = 0.754). The study recommends organizing farmers into associations for training in the use of and collective acquisition of new ICTs

Assessment of labour roles by gender in cassava production in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo state, Nigeria

The study assessed the labour roles played by different gender in cassava production in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 120 cassava farmers purposively selected from three (3) communities with the aid of questionnaire validated by expert judgment. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts percentages and Chi square statistics - finding revealed that majority (52.5%)of the respondents were male, 40. 8% fell within the age bracket of 41-50 years, majority (45, o%) has farming experience of 11-15 years most (80.0%)had farm size of 0.1-1.0 hectares. Respondents perceived inadequate capital, high labour cost l and land tenur as major problems associated with cassava production. Significant association exist between male and female (gender) and the labour roles in clearing (x2 = 39.27;

Determinants of Access and Farmers’ use of Information and Communication Technologies (1CTs) in Edo State, Nigeria

This study assessed determinants of farmers access and use of new ICTS in the study area. Data obtained from 270 respondents through multi-stage sampling technique were subjected to descriptive and logit regression analysis. The results show that GSM is the only new ICT farmers have access to (mean= 2.66) and use regularly (mean =3.44) while they have little or no access to and use either computer, E- mail or internet. This poor farmers access to and use of new ICTs can limit the extent of agricultural information they can receive. The probability of respondents having high access to new ICTS was significantly related to education (b = 0.784) and farming income, (b = 0.754). The study recommends organizing farmers into associations for training in the use of and collective acquisition of new ICTs