Journalists’ Attitudes towards the Coverage of Agricultural and Rural Development News in Ogun State.

The study examined the journalists’ attitudes towards the coverage of Agricultural and Rural Development News in Ogun State. Multistage technique was used to select 40 journalists from Print and Electronic media organizations in Ogun State. Primary data were collected with structured questionnaire. Chi-square and Spearman correlation were used to analyze the data collected. Result showed that most (57.5%) of the journalists were male and 72.5% married. Their mean age was 30.6years. About 70.0% were with a minimum of a Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification. Majority (55.0%) were Christians while 45.0% were Muslims. Most (85.0%) of the journalists live in urban areas while few (15.0%) live in semi-urban areas. Result showed that 85.0% of the journalists were operating on a permanent basis while 15.0% were on part time/freelance appointments. Half (50.0%) of the journalists had 6-10 years work experience. Result further showed that 40.0% of the journalists were constrained by organizational problems,75.0% by lack of transportation to rural areas for news coverage, 92.5% by bad roads to rural areas, 55.0% by inadequate equipment and 90.0% were constrained by lack of interest in agricultural news by most of the members of the audience. Chi square analysis showed a significant association between age (c2=82.15, p<0.05), work experience (c2=80.21, p<0.05) and the perception of journalists toward the coverage of agricultural and rural development news. Result further showed an inverse relationship between the constraints experienced by the journalists and their reportage of agricultural and rural development news (r =-0.24, p=0.00). It was concluded that most of the journalists were not favorably disposed to the coverage of agricultural and rural development news owing to the identified constraints and challenges. Keywords: Journalist, Attitude, Agricultural News, Rural developmen

Integrating improved goat breeds with new varieties of sweet potatoes and cassava in the agro-pastoral systems of Tanzania: A gendered analysis

This paper focuses on analysing gender issues in livestock and root crop production. Qualitative data for the study was collected through gender disaggregated group discussions (GDs) in two districts, Mvomero and Kongwa in Tanzania. Data were collected from 4 communities representing the four villages—Wami Luhindo and Kunke in Mvomero, and Masinyeti and Ihanda in Kongwa respectively. A total of 12 GDs were conducted involving 224 men and women who participated in the GDs. The qualitative data were analysed descriptively and by using measures such as percentages, tables, pie, bar charts and Venn diagrams. The study found that men owned all the goats and made all goat related decisions unilaterally. Women were by far less likely than men to own not only goats, but also livestock in general. On management of goats, an important set of differences in activities is associated with gender as well as with age. Changing livelihood opportunities such as rural–urban migration were identified as a factor that influenced gender and goat management and this increases workload for women. On decision-making over goats, women have limited control over decisions on sale and use of incomes generated from sale of goats. Ownership of crops between men and women is quite distinct, and depends on the market prices of crops and yield of the crop they grow for cash. Men own cash crops or crops for cash whereas women own subsistence or food crops for home consumption. Wealth status had a direct relation with individual decision-making on crops, rich men and women decided on what crops to cultivate, whereas non-rich farmers worked on wealthy farmers’ farms as casual labourers. Perceptions of women and men on the potential benefits of integrating root crops and goat varied. Men perceived value addition resulting from owning dairy goats and the attendant increase in income for them whereas women perceived change in status quo and increase workload resulting from stall goat management activities. Some participants explained that the anticipated increase in men’s real income could come about either through men accessing women’s income, or more commonly, women using their earnings to substitute men’s expenditure on household needs and children’s education. The study concluded that there are gender differences on perceived potential of integrating root crops and dairy goat production, as prevailing tradition may limit women’s participation. The beneficiaries expressed the timeliness of CGP project and exhibited willingness to partake in the project and ensure equitable benefits for participants if participatory gender training and awareness is ensured at both the household and community level. The study recommended that investing in rigorous gender trainings for both women and men, to initially sensitize them on the importance of including both women and men in development projects and sustain their continued understanding of the importance of gender inclusive activities

PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

People with disabilities (PLWDs) are generally believed to be incapacitated in all spheres of life endeavours. This study assessed their participation in agricultural activities as well the determinants     affecting their participation. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 268 respondents from persons who are: physically challenged (PC), with visually impairment (VI), speech impaired (SI) and lepers (L) from a list of registered members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities list in Ogun State. Data collected through interview guide were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Pearson's Product Moment Correlation and Binary Logistic Regression. Few (30.6%) of the respondents participated in agricultural activities. The agricultural activities mostly participated by PC were egg production (41.4%), cassava production (31.0%) and free range chicken production(27.6%). Also, persons with PVI engaged in free range chicken (44.0%), cassava (32.0%) and maize (28.0%) productions while lepers were engaged in millet (78.6%), cassava (46.4%) and free range chicken (35.7%) production. Few PC (6.9%) and PVI (16.0%) were engaged in broiler production, while 48.0% percent (PC), 32.0% (VI) and 10.7% (lepers) of the PWDs who participated in agricultural activities had access to extension agents. The binary logistic regression results showed that the determinantswhichsignificantly(p<0.01) influenced PWDs’ likelihood of participation in agricultural activities were access to agricultural training (β = 4.14), access to agricultural inputs (β=3.46), access to agricultural credit or loan (β =2.59),access to assistive technologies (β =3.28)and access to land (β=2.11). The constraints encountered by PWDs participating in agriculture were lack of funds (x̅ = 4.02), inaccessibility to land (x̅ = 3.72), inadequate infrastructure (x̅ = 3.16), inadequate assistive technology (x̅ = 3.05) and negative attitude of people towards PWDs (x̅ = 2.81) as well as negative attitude of people to PWDs (x̅ = 2.81). The study recommended that provision of lands, agricultural trainings, inclusive agricultural extension service delivery, assistive technology and change of negative mindset towards PWDs, may enhance their participation in agricultural activities.   &nbsp

Cassava: adding value for Africa - Strategic market initiatives that support wealth creation for women along the Cassava Value Chains in Southwest, Nigeria.

Empowering and creating wealth for cassava producing and processing smallholder farmers (of which women constitute the majority) through value addition and competitive market led opportunities for inclusive growth in agriculture is very important to counter poverty and ensure food security. This study attempts to examine the extent to which Cassava: Adding Value for Africa (C:AVA) project in Nigeria has created market led opportunities for smallholder farmers of cassava roots in Southwest Nigeria from 2008 to 2010. Data were collected through interview schedule administered on 237 randomly selected farmers who are participants in C:AVA project registered with the Agricultural Development Project (ADP) in Ogun, Ondo States and Justice, Development and Peace Movement (JDPM). Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta from Ogun State and Ondo State respectively. Data were analyzed descriptively by using measures such as frequency distribution, table, percentages and Chi-Square. The study revealed that 60% of the respondents were men and 40% were women. Men were more educated that women with 28.6% of women farmers having no formal education when compared with 10.3% of men. The difference in income between the third and fourth quartile was very high compared with other quartiles and the mean income earned by male farmers was more than twice the mean income earned by female farmers. With regards to level of production there was an increase in the yield of cassava roots on the farms surveyed from the average national range of 10-12 tonnes/ha in 2008 to an average range of 20-25 tonnes/ha in 2010. These improved varieties resulted in an average yield advantage of about 65% over local varieties. Owing to the observable increase in yield, farmers in the study area increased the hectares under cassava from an average of 0.5 - 1.5 ha in 2008 to an average of 10.0-20.0 ha in 2010. The average annual income of women farmers increased from $1000 in 2008 to an additional average income of$1700 in 2010. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations (p<0.05) between yield of improved varieties (X2=29.187), gender (X2=50.632), value addition (X2=32.547), improved technologies (X2=29.507); Types of market (X2=14.743), group membership (X2=10.973), capacity building (X2=68.490) with income. The study concluded that C:AVA has provided systematic development of specialization in which women cassava roots producers/ processors produce specifically for multiple markets to ensure wealth and household food security for women and their households

CASSAVA: ADDING VALUE FOR AFRICA - STRATEGIC MARKET INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT WEALTH CREATION FOR WOMEN ALONG THE CASSAVA VALUE CHAINS IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Empowering and creating wealth for cassava producing and processing smallholder farmers (of which women constitute the majority) through value addition and competitive market led opportunities for inclusive growth in agriculture is very important to counter poverty and ensure food security. This study attempts to examine the extent to which Cassava: Adding Value for Africa (C : AVA) project in Nigeria has created market led opportunities for smallholder farmers of cassava roots in Southwest Nigeria from 2008 to 2010. Data were collected through interview schedule administered on 237 randomly selected farmers who are participants in C: AVA project registered with the Agricultural Development Project (ADP) in Ogun, Ondo States and Justice, Development and Peace Movement (JDPM). Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta from Ogun State and Ondo State respectively. Data were analyzed descriptively by using measures such as frequency distribution, table, percentages and Chi-square. .The study revealed that 60% of the respondents were men and 40% were women. Men were more educated than women with 28.6% of women farmers having no formal education when compared with 10.3% of men. The difference in income between the third and the fourth quartile was very high compared with other quartiles and the mean income earned by male farmers was more than twice the mean income earned by female farmers. With regards to the level of production there was an increase in the yield of cassava roots on the farms surveyed from the average national range of 10-12 tonnes/ha in 2008 to an average range of 20-25 tonnes/ha in 2010. These improved varieties resulted in an average yield advantage of about 65% over local varieties. Owing to the observable increase in yield, farmers in the study area increased the hectares under cassava from an average of 0.5-1.5 ha in 2008 to an average of 10.0-20.0 ha in 2010. The average annual income of women farmers increased from $1000 in 2008 to an additional average income of$1700 in 2010. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations (p&lt;0.05) between yield of improved varieties (χ2= 29.187), gender (χ2= 50.632), value addition (χ2= 32.547), improved technologies (χ2= 29.507); Types of market (χ2= 14.743), group membership (χ2= 10.973), capacity building (χ2= 68.490) with income. The study concluded that C: AVA has provided systematic development of specialization in which women cassava roots producers/processors produce specifically for multiple markets to ensure wealth and household food security for women and their households

Integrated Urban Micro Farming Strategy Mitigation against Food Crises in Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

The aim of this study is to evaluate integrated urban micro farming as complementary strategy for mitigating against food crises in Odeda Local Government Area in Ogun State Nigeria by describing the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, examine their incidence of food crises, identify factors responsible for food insecurity and identify and describe integrated urban micro farming activities  in the study  area. Out of about 120 urban and periurban farmers who were involved in urban farming activities eighty (80) respondents were randomly selected Primary data were collected from the respondents with the aid of semi-structured questionnaire and interview- guide. The data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and tables were used to achieve the stated objectives. The result shows that about 62% engage in integrated farming while majority (41%) of the respondents’ level of income is between N 60,000 and N 100,000 and 69% respondents indicated that their households’ size was between 6-10 persons. About 60% of the respondents experiences food crises. Also about 11% of the food crises in the study area were as a result of high rate of land lease for city development and 26% was as a result of inadequate credit facilities while the major (37%) cause resulted from rapid rural/urban migration. The study concluded that urban micro farming serves as buffer for provision of food to the ever growing teeming population in the cities It was therefore recommended that If micro integrated farming potential is to be exploited to the full, government, the municipalities and the private sector should be involved by making land available both within the city centres and the fringes. There should also be injection of micro loans for urban farmers and favourable policies about urban and peri-urban agriculture should evolve to aid food production

Integrated Urban Micro Farming Strategy Mitigation against Food Crises in Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

The aim of this study is to evaluate integrated urban micro farming as complementary strategy for mitigating against food crises in Odeda Local Government Area in Ogun State Nigeria by describing the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, examine their incidence of food crises, identify factors responsible for food insecurity and identify and describe integrated urban micro farming activities  in the study  area. Out of about 120 urban and periurban farmers who were involved in urban farming activities eighty (80) respondents were randomly selected Primary data were collected from the respondents with the aid of semi-structured questionnaire and interview- guide. The data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and tables were used to achieve the stated objectives. The result shows that about 62% engage in integrated farming while majority (41%) of the respondents’ level of income is between N 60,000 and N 100,000 and 69% respondents indicated that their households’ size was between 6-10 persons. About 60% of the respondents experiences food crises. Also about 11% of the food crises in the study area were as a result of high rate of land lease for city development and 26% was as a result of inadequate credit facilities while the major (37%) cause resulted from rapid rural/urban migration. The study concluded that urban micro farming serves as buffer for provision of food to the ever growing teeming population in the cities It was therefore recommended that If micro integrated farming potential is to be exploited to the full, government, the municipalities and the private sector should be involved by making land available both within the city centres and the fringes. There should also be injection of micro loans for urban farmers and favourable policies about urban and peri-urban agriculture should evolve to aid food production