Cooperatives in Small Scale Amaranthus Production in Kwara State Nigeria

The study assessed cooperative in small scale amaranthus vegetable production in Kwara State, Nigeria with reference to cooperator and non- cooperator amaranthus vegetable farmers. Specifically, the study looked at the costs and returns to amaranthus vegetable farming for both groups and the effect of cooperative membership on the amaranthus vegetable farmers’ output. A three stage sampling procedure was employed to collect data from 140 (70 cooperator and 70 non cooperator) vegetable farmers using a well structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression methods were the major analytical techniques employed. The result of the study showed a significantly higher gross margin for the co-operator vegetable farmers compared to the non-cooperator vegetable farmers. Family size, farm size, Labour and cooperative membership were the significant factors influencing vegetable farmers’ output in the study area. The study recommends that the government should through appropriate ministries and agencies, organise periodic seminars and workshops for the farmers on the need to form viable cooperatives and ways to get the best out of the cooperative societies. Provision of machineries such as tractors to the farmers under the supervision of viable farmers’ cooperative societies to help reduce the over dependence on human labour and consequently raise production is also recommended.Keywords: Cooperator vegetable farmers, Non-Cooperator vegetable farmers, Gross margin, Ordinary Least Squares Regression, Kwara Stat

Determinants of visitors’ preference for wild animal spieces (A case study of Unilorin zoo, Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria)

The enormous potentials of tourism in recreation, community and economic development can be maximised through focusing on visitors’ preference in ensuring the sustainability of this increasingly important sector. This study examined the determinants of visitors’ preference for wild animal species in Kwara State, Nigeria. It determined the animal species preference in the state and highlighted the desired animal characteristics that endeared animals to zoo visitors.A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 120 randomly selected zoo visitors. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistical tools as well as the Pearson product moment correlation analysis. The result showed that visitors to the zoo were predominantly youths with a mean age of 25 years, male (64.2%) and educated (97.5%). The lion and the hyena were the animals that drew the attention of most of the visitors while major desired animal characteristics indicated by the visitors were the possession of friendly nature (36.7%) and aggressiveness (28.3%). Age, occupation and gender were significant (p<0.01)in determining preference for wild animals among the visitors. The study recommended the consideration of the significant factors and the desired animal characteristics in future animal stocking exercises of the zoo management.Key words: Determinants, wildlife preference, University of Ilorin, Zo

Knowledge and attitude of agriculture students towards commercialization of date palm in university of Ilorin, Nigeria

In spite of the comparative advantages that Nigeria has in the production of date palm, its cultivation is  largely limited to the homestead. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of agriculture students  of the University of Ilorin towards the commercialization of the plant. The study also investigated the  relationship between attitude towards the commercialization of the date palm and some selected  characteristics of the students. A total of 86 students were selected using a multi-stage sampling  technique. Descriptive statistics and the correlation analysis were the tools used to analyze the data for  the study. The study revealed that only 20.9% of the students had a high knowledge of date palm  production. At p<0.05 students’ knowledge of date palm had a significant relationship with positive  attitude towards the commercialization of the plant. In addition, students’ interest in agriculture as a course of study (p<0.05) and their interest in agriculture as a career (p<0.01) were positively related to their attitude towards the commercialization of date palm. The study concluded that the level of  knowledge and the attitude of agriculture students were generally poor. Increased awareness and knowledge of the agronomy and economics of the plant are therefore suggested among the students. Students who are studying agriculture because they could not secure admission in their courses of choice should be counseled on the potentials in agriculture as a career to enable them settle in and embrace  agriculture. Lastly, the study recommends that entrepreneurship and enterprise development should be impressed upon agricultural students.Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Commercialization and Date PalmRunning Title: Knowledge and Attitude towards Date Palm Commercializatio

Comparative analysis of root and tuber expansion programme in Kwara state, Nigeria

The Nigerian government over the years introduced and implemented several policies and programmes aimed at improving the agricultural sector and enhancing farmers’ welfare. However, very little is known about the impact of these programmes on the intended beneficiaries to justify the huge funds expended on their execution. This study therefore examined how the Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) had impacted on root and tuber crops production of the beneficiaries in Kwara State, Nigeria. A combination of purposive and random sampling techniques was used to select 60 beneficiaries and 60 non-beneficiaries of the programme. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Data Envelopment Analysis, and T-Test Analysis. The mean Total Factor Productivity index for the beneficiaries was 4.94 while that for the non-beneficiaries was 3.92. The mean technical efficiency score was 0.92 for beneficiaries and were more efficient than the non beneficiaries who had a technical efficiency score of 0.71. The study concluded that RTEP had made some positive impact on its beneficiaries in Kwara State and the capital investment in the programme by both the Federal and State Governments is justifiable. This study recommends that the programme should be expanded to cover all local government areas in the state to ensure a wider spread of the project benefits and that continuity of the programme beyond the project period should also be given due consideration.Key words: Root and Tuber Expansion Programme, Technical Efficienc

Awareness and Usage of the Baobab in Rural Communities in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study investigated awareness and usage of the Baobab plant in rural communities in Kwara State, Nigeria. It examined the determinants of the plant’s usage as well as constraints to its usage in the State. A three stage random sampling procedure produced the 200 respondents from which primary data used for the study was collected using a well structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics including frequency counts, percentages and means was employed in presenting the findings of the study. The logit regression model was used in the determination of the factors of usage among the respondents. The study revealed that the level of awareness of the uses and benefits of the plant as well as its usage in the state is poor. Level of awareness at p<0.05 and income at p< 0.1 were found to be the determinants of usage of the baobab in the State. The strong negative socio-cultural belief held about the plant, poor level of awareness about its benefits and the poor knowledge of its processing were the major constraints against its use in the State. The study recommends the need to increase awareness of the benefits of the plant and also to provide information on the processing methods applicable to the baobab. The various agricultural extension agencies in the State in collaboration with agricultural research institution in the State can go a long way in ensuring that the potentials of the baobab plant is optimized among rural communities in the State.Keywords: Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.), Awareness, Usage, Logit Regression Model, Kwara State

Determinants of Fertilizer Usage in Dry Season Amaranthus Vegetable Production in Kwara State, Nigeria

Amaranthus vegetable is often considered as one of the most important leafy vegetables in the tropics because of its high dietary value. In spite of its importance however, its production fall short of the ever increasing domestic demand for it. Soil nutrient depletion following intensification without proper soil fertility management practices hve been identified as one of the most important factor militating against its production. This study therefore carried out an assessment of the usage of recommended soil fertility management practices in dry season amaranthus vegetable production in Kwara state, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 120 amaranthus vegetable farmers for the study. Major tools of analysis used for the study were descriptive statistics and the logistic regression model. The result of analysis revealed that the usage of recommended soil fertility management practices in the study area is low. Furthermore, results of the logistic regression model showed that farm size, contacts with extension agents and the educational status of the farmer had significant effects on the usage of recommended soil fertility management practices in the study area. The study therefore recommends that government should employ and train more agricultural extension agents to cater for the majority of farmers who lack access to information on the usage of recommended soil fertility management practices. Also, the farmers should be given appropriate orientation on the need to cultivate manageable farm size to ensure increased productivity and sustainability of available land put into use.Keywords: soil fertility management, Chemical Fertilizer, Manure, Amaranthus vegetable, logistic regression model

Drivers of diversification and pluriactivity among smallholder farmers—evidence from Nigeria

Diversification and pluriactivity have become a norm among farm business owners (FBOs) due to persistent low farm income. This study applies the resource-based theory to examine drivers of diversification and livelihood income-oriented towards a sustainable livelihood. Our framework develops hypotheses about the impact of internal and external resources on livelihood choices at the household level. We use a survey of 480 rural Nigerian farmers (agripreneurs), applying a Multivariate Tobit to test our framework. We find that education plays the most significant role in all types of employment options. The more FBOs are educated, the more the likelihood that they will choose non-farm or wage employment. This study revealed that while the agriculture sector’s share of rural employment is declining, non-farm is on the increase. More so, there is a decline in farming among the young generation, marital status bias and gender influence in resource allocation. The socioeconomic (income and food security) and socio-cultural (employment and rural-urban migration) implications of rural sustainability linked to UN Development Goals have been highlighted and analysed in this article

Assessment of Training Needs of Cashew Farmers in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

The study assessed the training needs of cashew farmers in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Using structured questionnaire, data were collected from eighty (80) randomly selected cashew farmers in five villages of Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. The findings revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 46.5 years. Majority (87.5%) of them attended one form of education or the other and about seventy percent of the respondents had been farming for more than 10 years. The tasks performed by the cashew farmers ranged from land preparation to harvesting and storage of farm produce. The study identified strong training needs for cashew farmers in the study area on water management, transplanting, harvesting and storage and nursery preparation. The correlation analysis showed that farming experience had significant relationship with the respondents' training needs (r=0.489, p=0.05). In order to improve performance and increase productivity, adequate training is required for cashew farmers with respect to the identified areas where they indicated needs for training.Keywords: Assessment, Tasks performed, Training Needs, Cashew Farmers, Owan Eas

Perceived Causes of Livestock Involvement in Road Accident: Threat to Livestock Production among Women in Oyo state

This study examines women farmers’ perception on livestock involvement in road accident in Surulere L.G.A of Oyo State, Nigeria. Surulere LGA was purposively selected because most of its communities are located very close to the highways. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents for the study while interview schedule was used to elicit information from respondents. Descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, Mean scores and ranking) and inferential statistics (Chi-square) were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that the mean age of respondents was 46.5 years with a typical rural woman having an average monthly income of N12,250.00; 73.3% had one form of education or the other; 68.3% were full-time crop farmers while 16.7%, 11.7% and 3.3% combined trading, civil-service, and artisan work with livestock farming. Majority (77.5%) of the respondents had goats, while 52.5%, 29.2% and 33.3% kept poultry, sheep and duck respectively as income generating enterprises. Chi-square analysis showed a significant relationship between respondents’ perception on causes of livestock involvement in road accident and some of their selected socio-economic characteristics (age = 0.00, education = 0.00 and experience = 0.00) of the. The study concludes that road accident constitutes a major threat to free-range livestock production in the study area. It is therefore recommended that road signs and speed breakers be constructed on highways that transverse the rural areas.Keywords: Women farmers, Perception, Livestock, Involvement, Road acciden