Tearing Out the Income Tax by the (Grass)Roots

Landscapes are increasingly fragmented, and conservation programs have started to look at network approaches for maintaining populations at a larger scale. We present an agent-based model of predator–prey dynamics where the agents (i.e. the individuals of either the predator or prey population) are able to move between different patches in a landscaped network. We then analyze population level and coexistence probability given node-centrality measures that characterize specific patches. We show that both predator and prey species benefit from living in globally well-connected patches (i.e. with high closeness centrality). However, the maximum number of prey species is reached, on average, at lower closeness centrality levels than for predator species. Hence, prey species benefit from constraints imposed on species movement in fragmented landscapes since they can reproduce with a lesser risk of predation, and their need for using anti-predatory strategies decreases.authorCount :

Knowledge, Perception and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change among Farmers in Southern Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Climate change is perhaps the most serious environmental threat facing mankind worldwide. The study was designed to assess the knowledge, perception and adaptation strategies to climate change among farmers in southern agricultural zone of Nasarawa state. The specific objectives were to: identify the sources of information on climate change by respondents; assess their knowledge and perception of climate change phenomenon; identify adaptation strategies used and the factors militating against their adaptive capacity. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a total of 150 respondents from the zone for the study. Data collection was through an interview schedule. Simple descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and mean scores were used to achieve the objectives. The null hypothesis was tested using a multiple regression model. The mean age of the respondents was 48 years. Majority (89.33%) of them were males while their average farming experience was 27 years. Most (38%) of the farmers in the area had no formal education and majority (76.7%) of them used inherited farmlands. Annual income level of the respondents was encouraging with a mean of N326, 461.30 per annum. Most (68%) of them relied on radio as their major source of information on climate change. The perceived indicators of climate change included excessive high temperatures, low and irregular rainfall pattern and low crop yields among others. Adaptation strategies used by the respondents included agro-forestry practices, crop diversification, use of organic manures, planting of early maturing and disease/drought resistant varieties. The major constraints to adaptation by the respondents were inadequate finance, poor infrastructures, unfavourable government/trade policies and poor technology. It was recommended that adult education programmes should be strengthened in the area to reduce illiteracy among farmers. Extension agents in the area should incorporate climate change information in their extension messages while government should intensify efforts in the area of integrated rural development

Access and Use of Resources by Women Agro-Processors in Central Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This study was carried out in the central agricultural zone of Nasarawa state to examine the level of access and use of productive resources by women agro-processors in the zone. A sample of 100 women agro-processors from 3 LGAs that make up the zone was selected using proportionate random sampling technique. Data collection was done with the aid of an interview schedule during the 2012 cropping season. Data analysis involved the use of frequency, percentage, mean scores and ranking. The results show that the mean age of the respondents was 38 years. Majority (76%) were married and most (42%) of them were without any formal education. The mean year of experience in agro-processing was 7 years. Most (74%) of the respondents never obtained any loan in the past 3 years. The mean monthly income of the respondents was N18, 540. Most (40%) of the processors got their raw materials directly from farmers’ fields while majority (76%) of them sold their outputs to consumers in the open markets. Most (56%) of them used manual method of processing, most (54%) of them never attended any training workshop on agro-processing. Most (42%) of them received an average of 7 extension visits per year. Respondents had high level (M>3) of access to raw materials, extension service, water supply, storage facilities and market for products. However, they faced the problems of inadequate capital, access to land, credit facility and price fluctuation. It was therefore recommended that reforms in the Land Use Act and agricultural credit scheme under the transformation agenda should be hastened up to enhance easy access to these resources by women. Cooperative societies should also be strengthened to fill the gap

Agricultural Information Needs of Small Holder Farmers in Central Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State

This study was conducted in the Central agricultural zone of Nasarawa State to investigate the level of farmers’ access and use of agricultural information. Data for the study were collected from 120 respondents with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and mean scores) for objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4. Objective 5 was achieved using a multiple regression model. Most (41%) of the respondents were aged between 41 – 50 years and their mean age was 40 years. A greater proportion (39%) of the respondents had primary education and 15% were illiterates. Most (77%) of the respondents were married. Majority (86%) of them were full time farmers with average farm size of 4.5ha and mean household size of 8 persons. Majority (94%) of respondents belonged to one or two social organizations. The mean years of farming experience was 25 years. Only 37% obtained farm credit of various amounts. The respondents’ information needs were numerous and diverse which included information on pests and disease control (61.7%), sources of improved seeds/seedlings (43.3%), crop and animal husbandry (42.5%), sources of farm credit (39.2%) and marketing information among others. Respondents’ most preferred sources of information included produce buyers, input dealers and extension agents. The major constraints to use of various information sources were poor marketing facilities, lack of credit, poor infrastructures as well as poor extension services. It was recommended that governments at all levels should introduce measures that would ensure easy access to credit, agricultural information and market as well as rural infrastructures in line with the transformation agenda.Keywords: Agricultural information needs, Small Farmer

Rice Production under the Youth Empowerment Scheme in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to analyze rice production under the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 160 rice farmers made up of 80 participants of YES and 80 non participants. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires and personal interview. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics, linear regression and t-test. Majority of the respondents were less than 31 years and 31 to 40 years for participants and non participants, respectively. The respondents were mostly males and married with a minimum of secondary school education. Majority (62.5%) and (70%) of the participants and non participants, respectively were engaged in farming as main occupation, with less than 7 years farming experience and cultivating less than three hectares of land. Annual income and farm size had positive and significant effect on rice production with an R2 value of 0.895. There was no significant difference (t=0.265 ; p> 0.05) between the yield of participants and non participants. Inadequate funds, high cost of agrochemicals, and inadequate extension services were the serious constraints to rice production. The study therefore, recommends that more efforts need to be put in place by government and all relevant stakeholders to provide adequate funds, agrochemicals and extension services.Keywords: Rice Production, Youth Empowerment Scheme, Agricultural Transformatio

Ecosystem Services of Multispecific and Multistratified Cropping Systems

International audienceNew cropping alternatives are explored in response to the drawbacks of the Green Revolution. Alternative practices use the ecological regulations of agroecosystems, and strengthen and manage agricultural biodiversity. Multi-species cropping systems are good models to seek innovative solutions. Indeed the combination of crops, ranging from simplest forms to complex multi-stage associations, such as agroforests, have allowed many populations to maintain their production conditions, while at the same time overcoming severe shocks such as droughts, epidemics or changes in market prices. An empirical agroecology has thus been created mainly using traditional knowledge. We present the following benefits provided by the ecosystem services of mixed cropping: (1) yields are often higher than in monocultures, (2) the amount of mineral and organic fertilizers is decreased two times, (3) mixed cropping is an effective alternative to pesticides, (4) water and energy is saved, (5) soil quality is preserved, and (6) worktime is better managed. A true agroecological engineering approach, linking scientific and empirical knowledge can thus be designed