Perceived Effect of Agricultural Transformation Agenda on Livelihood of Cocoa Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

This study assessed the perceived effect of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) on cocoa farmer’s livelihood in Osun State. Multi stage sampling technique such as purposive and simple random techniques were used for the selection of 120 respondents. Questionnaire instrument was used to collect data from the respondents and data analysis was carried out using descriptive (frequency counts, mean and percentages) and inferential (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) statistics. Results showed that average farm size was 2 acres. The major source of labour used by some of the respondents (37.5%) was family labour. The study revealed that more than half (68.3%) of the respondents had high knowledge of ATA programme and majority (61.7%) of the respondents utilize it. Majority (66.7%) of the respondents had various challenges against the utilization of ATA inputs. There was a significant relationship between the respondents’ farm size (r=0.387, p>0.000), years of farming experience (r=0.351, p>0.000), ATA inputs accessibility (r=0.734, p>0.000), utilization (r=0.720, p=0.000) and the perceived effect on their livelihood. The respondents had high level of knowledge about ATA programme with a favorable attitude towards ATA, though, the inability to access ATA inputs posed limitation on its utilization. It is recommended that ATA workers should pay necessary attention to the needs of the farmers in the study area and also employ well skilled extension agents to guide farmers to access and utilize ATA inputs effectively. Continuous family farming is encouraged to boast labour and reduce cost

Perceived Effect of Agricultural Transformation Agenda on Livelihood of Cocoa Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

This study assessed the perceived effect of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) on cocoa farmer’s livelihood in Osun State. Multi stage sampling technique such as purposive and simple random techniques were used for the selection of 120 respondents. Questionnaire instrument was used to collect data from the respondents and data analysis was carried out using descriptive (frequency counts, mean and percentages) and inferential (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) statistics. Results showed that average farm size was 2 acres. The major source of labour used by some of the respondents (37.5%) was family labour. The study revealed that more than half (68.3%) of the respondents had high knowledge of ATA programme and majority (61.7%) of the respondents utilize it. Majority (66.7%) of the respondents had various challenges against the utilization of ATA inputs. There was a significant relationship between the respondents’ farm size (r=0.387, p>0.000), years of farming experience (r=0.351, p>0.000), ATA inputs accessibility (r=0.734, p>0.000), utilization (r=0.720, p=0.000) and the perceived effect on their livelihood. The respondents had high level of knowledge about ATA programme with a favorable attitude towards ATA, though, the inability to access ATA inputs posed limitation on its utilization. It is recommended that ATA workers should pay necessary attention to the needs of the farmers in the study area and also employ well skilled extension agents to guide farmers to access and utilize ATA inputs effectively. Continuous family farming is encouraged to boast labour and reduce cost

Building Organic Bridges', at the Organic World Congress

Abstract The respondents had high level of knowledge (72.5%), information (54.2%

Factors influencing Grasscutter Domestication in Rural Communities of Oyo State, Nigeria

Domestication of grasscutter is a relatively novel practice in Nigeria with its potentialities, challenges and opportunities. It is therefore becoming a profitable business among rural farmers in Oyo State. This study investigated factors affecting grasscutter domestication in Oyo State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 110 respondents from 5 rural Local Government Areas of Oyo State. Interview schedule was used for data collection and analyzed using chi square, PPMC and regression analysis. Results showed that majority (84%) of the respondents were male and married with mean age of 44±7.05 years. The mean household size was 5±1.41 persons and half (50%) of the respondents had secondary education. The most utilized source of labour was family (61%) and the average years of farming experience was 9.78±3.99 years. An average grasscutter farmer in the study area keeps 20 grasscutters with average monthly income of N36,000±11,045.36. Most (60%) of the farmers prefer to sell their produce directly to consumers while others (30%) did not mind selling at open market. Respondents (61%) had high knowledge about grasscutter production and half (50%) of them had favorable attitude towards grasscutter production. Benefits derived by farmers included increased income, resistance of animals to diseases and cost effectiveness.  Regression analysis shows that age (p=0.001), educational level (p=0.000) and respondents’ knowledge (p=0.00) influenced domestication of grasscutters in the study area. The study recommends that farmers be further trained on the nutritional and economic benefits of grasscutter in the study area to encourage more farmers to be involved in the enterprise. Keywords: Grasscutter, domestication, knowledge level, rural communities

Factors influencing Grasscutter Domestication in Rural Communities of Oyo State, Nigeria

Domestication of grasscutter is a relatively novel practice in Nigeria with its potentialities, challenges and opportunities. It is therefore becoming a profitable business among rural farmers in Oyo State. This study investigated factors affecting grasscutter domestication in Oyo State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 110 respondents from 5 rural Local Government Areas of Oyo State. Interview schedule was used for data collection and analyzed using chi square, PPMC and regression analysis. Results showed that majority (84%) of the respondents were male and married with mean age of 44±7.05 years. The mean household size was 5±1.41 persons and half (50%) of the respondents had secondary education. The most utilized source of labour was family (61%) and the average years of farming experience was 9.78±3.99 years. An average grasscutter farmer in the study area keeps 20 grasscutters with average monthly income of N36,000±11,045.36. Most (60%) of the farmers prefer to sell their produce directly to consumers while others (30%) did not mind selling at open market. Respondents (61%) had high knowledge about grasscutter production and half (50%) of them had favorable attitude towards grasscutter production. Benefits derived by farmers included increased income, resistance of animals to diseases and cost effectiveness.  Regression analysis shows that age (p=0.001), educational level (p=0.000) and respondents’ knowledge (p=0.00) influenced domestication of grasscutters in the study area. The study recommends that farmers be further trained on the nutritional and economic benefits of grasscutter in the study area to encourage more farmers to be involved in the enterprise. Keywords: Grasscutter, domestication, knowledge level, rural communities

Perception of Leafy Vegetable Farmers on Neem Extract for the Control of Insects in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The environmental injustice inherent in conventional pests management practices are perpetrated mainly through widespread exposure to chemicals used in agricultural production. The overall ill effect of this chemical based product to the environment and human health are some of the challenges which called for attention to look for efficient and effective alternatives that are capable of replacing chemical pesticides in agricultural production. Therefore, the research determined the perception of vegetable farmers on neem extract and rate of use for the control of insect. The respondents’ level of knowledge on neem extract was high (84.9%), benefits derived from utilization of neem extract such as prevention of pest and diseases ranked highest (95.7%) and the constraint associated with the utilization of neem extract was also high (50.5%). Chi square test of relationship revealed that there was significant relationship between socio economic characteristics such as: Age (χ2= 26.668, p= 0.009), level of education (χ2 = 66.351, p = 0.007), Income (χ2 =27.443, r= 0.007), Major occupation (χ2= 28.592, r= 0.005), and Farm size (χ2=71.001, p= 0.000) and the vegetable farmers perception of neem extract. The study further revealed that respondents sources of information on neem extract (p= 0.001), benefits derived from application of neem extract (p= 0.029), and constraints associated with the utilization of neem extract (p= 0.000), had significant relationship with respondents’ perception of neem extract. The respondents had favourable perception of neem extract for the control of insects. Therefore, to sustain farmers’ interest in organic farming, the farmers should be motivated through training on application of neem extract and there should also be documentation of effectiveness and correct quantity of neem extract to use