Potentials for the commercialization of Cocoyam in Oyun Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

Despite the nutritional and other advantages of cocoyam over some tuber crops, it remains neglected, underutilised, and non-commercialized in many parts of Nigeria. The study assessed the potentials for the commercialisation of cocoyam. Specifically, it assessed farmers’ awareness of the uses of cocoyam, level of cocoyam cultivation, farmers’ attitude towards its commercialisation, and the constraints to its commercialisation. Two-stage random sampling technique produced 154 respondents and an interview schedule was administered to collect data. Descriptive statistics and the multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results revealed that farmers’ mean age, farming experience and farm size were 53.9  years, 22 years, and 4.3 acres respectively. The level of awarenessof the uses of cocoyam was high (73.52%) and had an averagely positive attitude (mean score = 2.38) towards its commercialisation. Cultivation of cocoyam was mostly on a subsistence level among the farmers (97.3%). High susceptibility to pests and diseases (MS = 3.13) and a higher preference for other tuber crops (MS = 3.09) were the major constraints to the  commercialisation of cocoyam. Farmers’ age (β = –0.008), level of education (β = –0.046), household size (β = –0.012), and frequency of extension contact (β = 0.018) determined farmers’ attitude towards its commercialisation. The study concluded that the potentials for the commercialization of cocoyam was appreciable in the study area. Findings underscore the need for research on cocoyam pest and diseases control as well as breeding ofimproved varieties of the plant by National Root Crops Research Institutes. Key words: attitude, commercialization, neglected, under-utilized and cocoyam&nbsp

Adoption of agricultural entrepreneurship skills among arable crop farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study analysed the adoption of Agricultural entrepreneurial skills among arable crop Farmers in Kwara State. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers; examined the level of adoption of the skills disseminated; assessed the perceived effect of the adopted Agricultural entrepreneurial skills, and identified constraints to the adoption of the skills. A four-stage sampling procedure produced 165 arable crop Farmers on whom an interview schedule was administered. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. The results show that the respondents’ mean age, household size, farm size and years of farming experience were 45 years, seven persons, 2.72ha, and 20 years respectively. The level of adoption was low (45%), and significantly influenced by age (r=-0.323), household size (r= 0.306), level of education (r=0.255), frequency of extension visits (0.599) and membership of farmer-groups (0.485) at P<0.05. Inadequate access to inputs, markets, and start-up capital were the most severe challenges faced by the farmers. The study concluded that the level of adoption of the skills was low and influenced by some socio-economic characteristics of the farmers. It is recommended that stakeholders in the rural development processes should explore a multidimensional approach to resolve the identified challenges. The frequency of extension visit should be increased, and farmer-groups strengthened to play more visible roles in extension.Keywords: Agricultural entrepreneurship, Skills, Adoption, Arable crops, Agricultural Development Projec

Analysis of poultry farmers perception on environmental issues associated with poultry farming in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study examined the poultry farmers perception on environmental issues associated with poultry farming in Kwara State of Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: (i) describe the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers (ii) determine respondents’ perceptions  of environmental issues associated with poultry farming and (iii) determine the level of farmers’ awareness of environmental protection agency’s activities. A well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from one hundred and twenty five (125) randomly selected commercial poultry farmers from the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Kwara state Chapter. Data were analysed using descriptive statistic and Multiple Regression Analysis. Results of analysis showed that mean age of respondents was 45years, average farm size was 1320 birds and poultry farming experience was 11 years. Also, majority were male (79.2 %), married (83.2%), and had tertiary education (97.6%). The perceptions of farmers on environmental issues was high (mean =3.80). and significantly influenced by farmers’ age (β= 0.225, p < 0.05), level of education (β= 0.178, p < 0.01), farming experience (β= 0.142, p < 0.05), and farm size (β= 0.177, p < 0.05). Level of farmers’ awareness of the activities of environmental protection agency was also low (38.8%) in the study area. The study concluded that poultry farmers’ perception on environmental issues associated with poultry farming was high in the study area. The study recommends among others that this high perception potential could be used as premise by relevant stakeholders or agencies responsible for environmental protection, in providing farmers with appropriate innovations on environmental management and protection. Keywords: Poultry farming, Perception, Environmental issues, Kwara stat

Farmers’ Adoption of System of Rice Intensification in Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

The study evaluated the adoption of System of rice intensification (SRI) among rice farmers in Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. A 3-stage sampling technique was used to collect data for the study through a structured questionnaire and interview schedule administered to 200 rice farmers. The results indicated that the majority of the farmers were males (83.0%) and married (68.5%) with no formal education (50.5%). Mean age was 44.1 years, household size was 8.8 persons, farming experience of 16years, average monthly income was N590,000.00 and average farm size was 1.7 ha. The most adopted SRI production practice was fertilizer and herbicide application (100.0%), planting depth (91.5%) manual land cultivation and planting method (91.0%). The respondents were at different stages of adoption with accelerating growth, rotary weeding and use of organic fertilizer having positive adoption index of 0.972, 0.970 and 0.601, respectively. Level of adoption of SRI technologies was low (34.5%) with a positive perception. Major constraints to SRI technologies were high labor ( =3.27), non-awareness of SRI technologies ( =3.14) inadequate understanding of SRI ( =2.89). The profitability of SRI in rice cultivation was higher compared to the conventional method. Therefore, the provision of  more training and demonstration programmes and input subsidy should be encouraged to boost adoption of SRI for improved rice production. Keywords: Rice Intensification, Farming activities, Training, Chanchaga, System, Niger Stat

Assessment of Cassava processing technologies usage among rural women in Kwara State, Nigeria

Technology usage has been identified as a major driver of increased productivity, waste management and economic efficiency. However, there seems to be some barriers to technology usage among rural women cassava processors Nigeria. This study therefore analysed the characteristics and constraints to technology usage among rural women processors in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling technique was used to randomly select 120 respondents from six districts, namely Igbaja, Idofin, Oke-Ode, Omupo, Ora and Share. Primary data were used for the study and the data were collected by means of an interview schedule. Descriptive statistical tools, such as precision counts, frequencies and percentages, were used in analysing the data, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The findings revealed the level of usage of cassava processing among rural women in the study area is moderately high. Major constraints to the adoption of cassava processing technologies includes: high cost of machines and maintenance, low level awareness and training, as well as inadequate finance. PPMC analysis showed that educational level and cassava processing experience was significantly related to the usage of improved cassava processing technologies in the study area with p≤ 0.05. Based on findings, training and effective monitoring by relevant stakeholders, adequate financing, sensitization and enlightenment campaigns will further boost cassava processors knowledge and attitude towards cassava processing technologies and automatically increase usage by the respondents

Management Strategies of Perceived Risk Associated with Moringa Products by Consumers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

This study focused on examining the management strategies of perceived risk associated with Moringa products by consumers in Ilorin metropolis with view to rank the perceived risk associated with Moringa product; assess the different strategies employed by consumers to manage or cope with the risk and to examine socio-economic determinants of consumers’ consumption behaviour in relation to the perceived risk. Primary data were collected with the aid of a well structured questionnaire from 116 sampled respondents in the study area. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Tobit regression model. The result shows that majority of the consumers consume Moringa powder while none of them consume Moringa oil. It was also discovered that most of the respondents do nothing about the risk associated with Moringa consumption, while some of them reduce the quantity consumed per dose or frequency consumption. Awareness of risk and consumption of Moringa powder were found to have significant effect on consumer attitude towards the perceived risk at (p<0.1). The study therefore recommends the need for more clinical trials that will ascertain the long term health implication of Moringa products consumption and the need for marketing agencies to take advantage of the relative ambivalence to Moringa consumption for more advertorial and promotional campaigns

Assessment of Access to Information and Communication Technology among Agricultural Extension Officers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study examined the factors associated with the level of access of Agricultural Extension officers in Kwara State to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It also identified the constraints to the usage of ICT for the purpose of sourcing agricultural information. Data for the study were collected from the Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) and Extension Agents (EAs) of the Kwara State Agricultural Development Project (KWADP) through the use of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were employed for the data analysis. The study revealed that about 70% of the EAs do not earn above N20, 000. Only8.8% of the EAs possessed university degrees and none had access to computer systems at work. All the SMSs had official computers, although none of the computers were connected to the internet. Income of the respondents was found to be significant and positively related to access to ICT. The numbers of years on the job and the age of the respondents had negative but significant relationship with access. Apart from the general constraints to the use of ICT such as, high cost of personal computer, inadequate electricity supply and poor internet access, poor training and technological knowhow were also identified as specific constraints faced by the EAs. The study therefore recommended the need for easier access by all agricultural extension officers to ICT. Besides, training workshops should be organized for Extension officers in the area of ICT and computer appreciation

Social network and innovation dissemination among farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Agricultural innovation has tremendous potentials to improve the welfare of the rural poor. Yet, many new technologies that seem profitable in demonstration plots are not widely adopted due to inadequate social groups linking the farmers to the researchers which result to non-effective information dissemination. There is no adequate link between the farmers and the social groups which are very pivotal to the adoption of innovation and its eventual usage. This study therefore looked at social network and innovation dissemination among farmers in Kwara state Nigeria. This research specifically examined the impact of social network among the farmers in the study area and estimated the correlation of individual farmer’s choices and social network behaviour. A two-stage approach was used in data selection; the first stage was purposive and second involved the random selection technique to collect data from 125 respondents in the study area. Descriptive statistic, Social Network Analysis (SNA), and Qap correlation were the tools employed. The result of the analysis showed that farmers who are members of social group adopt innovation faster. The p-value at 5% signified that there is no correlation between the farmer choice behaviour and social network behaviour. This implies that farmer tend to behave differently under different conditions as regards their choice of innovation adoption., However, when farmers are members of a social group, their decision tend to be different from when they were not and thus, there is a need for adequate information link between researchers and the farmers. Female farmers should be encouraged to join social group as measure to enhance innovation adoption.Keywords: Social Network Analysis (SNA), Qap Correlation and Innovatio