The Role of Agricultural Extension Service in Poverty Alleviation Among Oil Palm Farmers in Ogun State

This study examined the major roles playedby the government owned agricultural extension outfit in other to alleviate the poverty status of oilpalmfarmers in Ogun State. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to select 120 Oil palm farmers, who were interviewed in May 2003. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistical tools such as percentages, averages, ranking andcharts. Two null hypotheses were also testedusing the Chi Square Coefficient. The result revealed that oilpalmfarmers are elderly, married, males andfemales. They have noformal education and are members offarmers cooperative groups. It was also established that, more than half of thefarmers are large-scale oil palm producers. They still use crude methodsfor palmfruit harvesting andprocessing. Furthermore, the studyfound significant relationship between group membership andfrequency of extension agents’ contacts (}Cmi = 23.65). The study concluded that, fanners are better assisted when they form strong groups through which intervention can take place. It also recommends that, other categories offarmers should be encouraged to organize themselves into viable groups so that they can benefit adequately from the services rendered by the extension service agency. Also, better working environment should be providedfor thefield level extension agents to better perform their roles in the rural ureas

The Role of Agricultural Extension Service in Poverty Alleviation Among Oil Palm Farmers in Ogun State

This study examined the major roles playedby the government owned agricultural extension outfit in other to alleviate the poverty status of oilpalmfarmers in Ogun State. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to select 120 Oil palm farmers, who were interviewed in May 2003. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistical tools such as percentages, averages, ranking andcharts. Two null hypotheses were also testedusing the Chi Square Coefficient. The result revealed that oilpalmfarmers are elderly, married, males andfemales. They have noformal education and are members offarmers cooperative groups. It was also established that, more than half of thefarmers are large-scale oil palm producers. They still use crude methodsfor palmfruit harvesting andprocessing. Furthermore, the studyfound significant relationship between group membership andfrequency of extension agents’ contacts (}Cmi = 23.65). The study concluded that, fanners are better assisted when they form strong groups through which intervention can take place. It also recommends that, other categories offarmers should be encouraged to organize themselves into viable groups so that they can benefit adequately from the services rendered by the extension service agency. Also, better working environment should be providedfor thefield level extension agents to better perform their roles in the rural ureas

ASSESSMENT OF STATE GOVERNMENTS PROGRAMMES FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF WETLANDS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

This paper attempted to put into a clearer perspective the different programmes embarked upon by Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states government in the management of wetlands located within their domain. Zeroing on state ministries, agencies or parastatal involved in water management, the study investigated the various existing management plans embarked upon by the three State Governments. Results showed that solid waste management was in place in all the states. However, none of the States has clear legislation, enforcement and prosecution as regards the different use that are injurious to the Wetlands. Habitat creation/restoration, in situ and ex situ action, protected areas options are also not being employed in managing wetlands in southwest, Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that policies geared towards sustainable management of Wetlands should be put in place and actively pursued by the state Governments

SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE IN INTEGRATED AND NON - INTEGRATED FISH FARMING IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined socio economic factors influencing farmer’s knowledge of Integrated and Non – integrated fish farming in Ogun Sate, Nigeria. Multistage simple  random sampling techniques was used to select 133 non - integrated fish farmers (NIFF) and 216 integrated fish farmers (IFF) making a total of n = 349. Data were analysed using chi-square, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results showed that 92.5% of NIFF were males compared with 90.7% IFF. Also, 96.8% of IFF and 79.7% of NIFF were married. The mean ages of sampled farmers were 44 years (NIFF) and 46 years (IFF) while the mean fish farming experiences were 4 years (NIFF) and 5 years (IFF). Also, 41.2%of the respondents had moderate level of knowledge. knowledge of fish farming had significant association with respondents sex (χ2 = 9.44, df = 2, p < 0.05), marital status (χ2 = 23.2, df = 4, p < 0.05), occupation (χ2 = 25.5, df = 8, p < 0.05), mode of involvement (χ2 = 17.1, df = 2, p < 0.05), interaction with friend and relatives (χ2= 14.0, df = 2, p < 0.05), radio/television (χ2 = 21.7, df = 2, p < 0.05) and internet usage (χ2 = 6.40, df = 2, p < 0.05). Correlation analyses showed significant relationship between farmers knowledge and age (r = 0.20, p < 0.05), fish farming experience (r = 0.17, p < 0.05), level of cosmopoliteness (r = 0.16, p < 0.05), livestock population capacity (r = 0.21, p < 0.05), fish production capacity (r = 0.36, p < 0.05), area of land cultivated (r = 0.55, p < 0.05) and production constraints (r = -0.00, p < 0.05).Â

Awareness of Cassava Peel Utilization Forms among Cassava Processors in Rural Communities of Southwest, Nigeria

Significant quantities of generated peels are been thrown on dumping sites in southwest, Nigeria thereby constituting a source of environmental pollution. This study assessed the awareness of cassava peel utilization forms among cassava processors in rural communities of southwest, Nigeria. Interview guide was used to elicit information from 200 cassava processors through a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. Result revealed that majority of the cassava processors were women (76.5%), married (75.0%), and members of cassava processing associations (89.5%) with 73.0% having at least primary education. The mean age and cassava processing experience were 53.01 and 22.76 years respectively. About 23.0% of the processed cassava tubers constituted peels. The study also revealed that 50% of the cassava processors discarded peels as waste, 26% sold generated peels while 24% fed the peels to their livestock. Also 93.5% of the cassava processors were not aware of any cassava peel utilization technology. Chi-square analysis revealed that significant association existed between existing practice on cassava peel utilization (χ2=17.341, p<0.05) and cassava processors’ awareness of cassava peel utilization forms. The study concluded that substantial quantity of peel been generated is discarded as waste due to lack of awareness of cassava peel utilization technologies in the study areas. The study therefore recommended that improved technologies on the utilization of cassava peel should be popularized through result demonstration among cassava processors in southwest, Nigeria

Responding to experienced and anticipated discrimination (READ): anti -stigma training for medical students towards patients with mental illness - study protocol for an international multisite non-randomised controlled study

Background Stigma and discrimination are a significant public health concern and cause great distress to people with mental illness. Healthcare professionals have been identified as one source of this discrimination. In this article we describe the protocol of an international, multisite controlled study, evaluating the effectiveness of READ, an anti-stigma training for medical students towards patients with mental illness. READ aims to improve students’ ability to minimise perceived discriminatory behaviours and increase opportunities for patients, therefore developing the ability of future doctors to address and challenge mental illness related discrimination. READ includes components that medical education research has shown to be effective at improving attitudes, beliefs and understanding. Methods/design READ training was developed using evidence based components associated with changes in stigma related outcomes. The study will take place in multiple international medical schools across high, middle and low income countries forming part of the INDIGO group network, with 25 sites in total. Students will be invited to participate via email from the lead researcher at each site during their psychiatry placement, and will be allocated to an intervention or a control arm according to their local teaching group at each site. READ training will be delivered solely to the intervention arm. Standardised measures will be used to assess students’ knowledge, attitudes and skills regarding discrimination in both the intervention and control groups, at baseline and at follow up immediately after the intervention. Statistical analyses of individual-level data will be conducted using random effects models accounting for clustering within sites to investigate changes in mean or percentages of each outcome, at baseline and immediately after the intervention. Discussion This is the first international study across high, middle and low income countries, which will evaluate the effectiveness of training for medical students to respond effectively to patients’ experiences and anticipation of discrimination. The results will promote implementation of manualised training that will help future doctors to reduce the impact of mental illness related discrimination on their patients. Limitations of the study are also discussed