Attitude of crop farmers towards e-wallet platform of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme for input delivery in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo state

E-wallet-powered Growth Enhancement Support Scheme was designed by the Nigerian Government to facilitate and improve farmers’ prompt access to agricultural information and input services. An assessment of the pilot phase of the scheme becomes necessary for an effective implementation. The study therefore assessed the attitude of crop farmers towards the e-wallet platform of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme. A total of 120 crop farmers across the study area were sampled through a simple random sampling method. Data were collected through a well-structured interview schedule, and analysed using percentages, PPMC and Chi-square. Farmers’ mean age was 47 years. Majority were males, married and have an average of 15 years farming experience. Maize and cassava were the most grown crops. Majority indicated non commitment of the ADP and long distance to redemption centre as major constraints to use of e-wallet. More than half had favourable attitude towards the e-wallet platform of the Scheme. There is significant relationship between the years of farming and educational level with farmers’ attitude towards the e-wallet. Constraints faced also had negative influence on attitude to the scheme. Establishment of more redemption centres to stop the rigor of long queues and reduce long distance covered before accessing the centres will make prompt access to information targeted by e-wallet achieve desired end.</jats:p

Awareness and Utilization of Abattoir Safety Measures in Katsina South and Central Senatorial Districts Nigeria

The study assessed utilization of abattoir safety measures in Kastina South and Central senatorial districts, Nigeria. Information was obtained from a total of 80 abattoir workers in each district, while frequency counts, percentages and independent sample t-test were used to analyze data. Majority, in the respective districts, were married (70.0% and 68.8%), Muslims (98.8% and 97.5%), certified butchers (83.8% and 77.5%), with 32.5% and 35.0% having quranic education. Level of awareness of abattoir safety measures was high among majority (85.0% and 91.3%). However, the overall level of utilization of these practices was low among majority (57.5% and 56.3%) in the respective districts. The independent sample t-test result showed no significant difference between the two districts in their levels of awareness (t = 0.805, p = 0.422) and utilization (t = 1.390; p = 0.166) of abattoir safety measures. The study concludes that there is hardly conscious attempt by butchers to ensure that all abattoir safety measures are adhered to in spite of high awareness. Government agencies in charge of enforcement of abattoir safety measures should ensure that violators of these regulations are not spared from facing the full wrath of the law so as to serve as deterrent to others

Awareness and Utilization of Abattoir Safety Measures in Katsina South and Central Senatorial Districts Nigeria

The study assessed utilization of abattoir safety measures in Kastina South and Central senatorial districts, Nigeria. Information was obtained from a total of 80 abattoir workers in each district, while frequency counts, percentages and independent sample t-test were used to analyze data. Majority, in the respective districts, were married (70.0% and 68.8%), Muslims (98.8% and 97.5%), certified butchers (83.8% and 77.5%), with 32.5% and 35.0% having quranic education. Level of awareness of abattoir safety measures was high among majority (85.0% and 91.3%). However, the overall level of utilization of these practices was low among majority (57.5% and 56.3%) in the respective districts. The independent sample t-test result showed no significant difference between the two districts in their levels of awareness (t = 0.805, p = 0.422) and utilization (t = 1.390; p = 0.166) of abattoir safety measures. The study concludes that there is hardly conscious attempt by butchers to ensure that all abattoir safety measures are adhered to in spite of high awareness. Government agencies in charge of enforcement of abattoir safety measures should ensure that violators of these regulations are not spared from facing the full wrath of the law so as to serve as deterrent to others

Welfare Status of Rice Farming Household in Office du Niger, Segou Region of Mali

The study examined the welfare status of rice farming household in Office du Niger, Segou region, Mali. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 137 rice technology adopters and 65 non-adopters in the study area. Frequency counts, percentages, PPPMC and t-test were used for data analysis. About 45.0% of non-adopters and 29.2% of adopters were aged 31-40. Non-adopters and adopters had an average of 6 and 10 years of experience, respectively. Most adopters (73.0 %) and non-adopters (50.8%) had a farm size between 1-5 hectares. Most adopted rice varieties were Kogoni 91-1 (94.2%) and IR 32 mille (81.0%). There was a high level of adoption among 59.1% of adopters. About 61.0% of adopters, but 53.8% of non-adopters earned less than 500,000 CFA annually from other activities as against between 500,000 and 1,000,000 CFA among 58.5% of non-adopters and above 2,000,000 CFA for 67.2 % of adopters. Majority (61.5%) of non-adopters had improved welfare status as against 80.3% of adopters in the same category. Household size (r = 0.192), income gained from rice production (r = 0.482, p = 0.000) significantly influenced respondents’ welfare level. There was a significant difference (t = - 12.089) in quantity of rice produced by adopters (38544.73±17721.69768Kg) and non- adopters (11394.77±5244.97546). There was a significant difference (t = - 2.917) in welfare status of the adopters (1281790.88±525400.62012) and non–adopters (1037750.00±614462.87743). Office du Niger should intensify efforts at up-scaling dissemination of improved rice technologies to cover more rice farmers

Welfare Status of Rice Farming Household in Office du Niger, Segou Region of Mali

The study examined the welfare status of rice farming household in Office du Niger, Segou region, Mali. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 137 rice technology adopters and 65 non-adopters in the study area. Frequency counts, percentages, PPPMC and t-test were used for data analysis. About 45.0% of non-adopters and 29.2% of adopters were aged 31-40. Non-adopters and adopters had an average of 6 and 10 years of experience, respectively. Most adopters (73.0 %) and non-adopters (50.8%) had a farm size between 1-5 hectares. Most adopted rice varieties were Kogoni 91-1 (94.2%) and IR 32 mille (81.0%). There was a high level of adoption among 59.1% of adopters. About 61.0% of adopters, but 53.8% of non-adopters earned less than 500,000 CFA annually from other activities as against between 500,000 and 1,000,000 CFA among 58.5% of non-adopters and above 2,000,000 CFA for 67.2 % of adopters. Majority (61.5%) of non-adopters had improved welfare status as against 80.3% of adopters in the same category. Household size (r = 0.192), income gained from rice production (r = 0.482, p = 0.000) significantly influenced respondents’ welfare level. There was a significant difference (t = - 12.089) in quantity of rice produced by adopters (38544.73±17721.69768Kg) and non- adopters (11394.77±5244.97546). There was a significant difference (t = - 2.917) in welfare status of the adopters (1281790.88±525400.62012) and non–adopters (1037750.00±614462.87743). Office du Niger should intensify efforts at up-scaling dissemination of improved rice technologies to cover more rice farmers

Effect of Privatisation of Agricultural Extension Services on Productivity of Fadama III beneficiaries in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined effect of privatisation of agricultural advisory services of Fadama III project on farmers’ productivity in Oyo state, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting 146 and 144 beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries respectively. Frequency, percentage, means, PPMC and t-test were used to analyse data. Most (52.7%) of the beneficiaries had tertiary education, while 33.6% of the non-beneficiaries possessed secondary education, with respective average ages of 48.32 and 49.68. About 53% of beneficiaries accessed credit through Fadama Users Group, while 53.4% of non-beneficiaries accessed credit through commercial banks. Most of the beneficiaries obtained information on advisory services from friends (91.0%) and extension agents (89.6%), compared to non-beneficiaries from radio (95.2%) and group meetings (81.5%). Fadama III beneficiaries had higher level of access to advisory services than non-beneficiaries. Production of poultry meat (r = 0.389, p<0.05) and eggs (r = 0.322, p <0.05) were significantly influenced by beneficiaries’ access to advisory services. Level of access to advisory services was significantly higher (t =1.651, p = 0.045) for beneficiaries (mean = 9.260) than non-beneficiaries. Level of production of maize (t = 3.165, p < 0.05) cassava (t = 3.679, p <0.05) and fish (t=1.869, p < 0.05) was also higher for beneficiaries. Beneficiaries attained higher level of production for cassava, maize and fish production than non-beneficiaries. Efforts should be made to improve on the coverage of similar projects in the future

Perceptions of Undergraduate Students to Practical Agriculture Experience at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa

The study examined perceptions of final year students of agriculture at the University of Fort Hare to practical agricultural experience. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to obtain data from 334 students. Only 278 were analysed, using simple and inferential statistics. The study reveals that more than half (55.0%) had favourable perceptions of practical agriculture experience (PAE). However, only about half (51.1%) expressed a high level of satisfaction. The majority (61.9%) were in favour of on-the-farm internships rather than ‘talk shops’.  There was a significant relationship between respondents’ perceptions regarding improved performance (r = 0.276), general disposition to PAE (r = 0.438) and overall satisfaction with the PAE programme. Based on its findings, this study has implications for the evaluation process of the programme and suggests that the design of the PAE should center around on-farm activities based on a specific number of weeks for internships on commercial farms. This will provide the real-life experiential learning that could stimulate students to venture into practical farming post graduation

Effect of Privatisation of Agricultural Extension Services on Productivity of Fadama III beneficiaries in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined effect of privatisation of agricultural advisory services of Fadama III project on farmers’ productivity in Oyo state, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting 146 and 144 beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries respectively. Frequency, percentage, means, PPMC and t-test were used to analyse data. Most (52.7%) of the beneficiaries had tertiary education, while 33.6% of the non-beneficiaries possessed secondary education, with respective average ages of 48.32 and 49.68. About 53% of beneficiaries accessed credit through Fadama Users Group, while 53.4% of non-beneficiaries accessed credit through commercial banks. Most of the beneficiaries obtained information on advisory services from friends (91.0%) and extension agents (89.6%), compared to non-beneficiaries from radio (95.2%) and group meetings (81.5%). Fadama III beneficiaries had higher level of access to advisory services than non-beneficiaries. Production of poultry meat (r = 0.389, p<0.05) and eggs (r = 0.322, p <0.05) were significantly influenced by beneficiaries’ access to advisory services. Level of access to advisory services was significantly higher (t =1.651, p = 0.045) for beneficiaries (mean = 9.260) than non-beneficiaries. Level of production of maize (t = 3.165, p < 0.05) cassava (t = 3.679, p <0.05) and fish (t=1.869, p < 0.05) was also higher for beneficiaries. Beneficiaries attained higher level of production for cassava, maize and fish production than non-beneficiaries. Efforts should be made to improve on the coverage of similar projects in the future

Perceptions of Undergraduate Students to Practical Agriculture Experience at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa

The study examined perceptions of final year students of agriculture at the University of Fort Hare to practical agricultural experience. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to obtain data from 334 students. Only 278 were analysed, using simple and inferential statistics. The study reveals that more than half (55.0%) had favourable perceptions of practical agriculture experience (PAE). However, only about half (51.1%) expressed a high level of satisfaction. The majority (61.9%) were in favour of on-the-farm internships rather than ‘talk shops’.  There was a significant relationship between respondents’ perceptions regarding improved performance (r = 0.276), general disposition to PAE (r = 0.438) and overall satisfaction with the PAE programme. Based on its findings, this study has implications for the evaluation process of the programme and suggests that the design of the PAE should center around on-farm activities based on a specific number of weeks for internships on commercial farms. This will provide the real-life experiential learning that could stimulate students to venture into practical farming post graduation