Assessment of Land Use and Vegetative Cover in Kano Metropolis (from 1975-2015) Employing GIS and Remote Sensing Technology

This study applied GIS and remote sensing technology to assess agricultural land use and vegetative cover in Kano Metropolis. It specifically examined the intensity of land use for agricultural and non agricultural purpose from 1975 – 2015. Images (1975, 1995 and 2015), landsat MSS/TM, landsat 8, scene of path 188 and 052 were downloaded for the study. Bonds for these imported scenes were processed using ENVI 5.0 version. The result indicated five classified features-settlement, farmland, water body, vegetation and bare land. The finding revealed an increase in settlement, vegetation and bare land between 1995 and 2015, however, farmland decreased in 2015. Indicatively, higher percentage of land use for non agricultural purposes was observed in recent time. Conclusively, there is need to accord surveying the rightful place and priority in agricultural planning and development if Nigeria is to be self food sufficient. Keywords: Geographic Information System, Agriculture, Remote sensing, Land use, Land cove

ASSESSMENT OF GENDER ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS FROM COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN DEKINA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed gender access to agricultural loans from cooperative societies in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. Primary data used were collected from 160 registered cooperative members in the study area. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, binary Logit regression analysis, and mean score. Results of the findings showed that 62.9% and 54.3% of the male and female cooperative members were married with household size of 1 – 5 members. Most of the respondents were within the age bracket of 31 – 50 years. Finding on gender difference indicated that male cooperative members had more access (3.52) to loan than the female (2.88). Estimates of the binary logit model showed that the slope coefficients of household size, educational status, years of membership, and income were positive and statistically significant at 10% and 5% for the male and female cooperative members respectively. Furthermore, the major problems faced by cooperative members in accessing loans are reluctance from financial institutions (M=2.8) and fear of repayment by borrowers (M=2.7). Amongst others, comprehensive development of gender specific policy interventions by government to enhance access to loan by female cooperative members was recommended

Modeling the Factors that Influence Farmers’ Participation in Agricultural Insurance Scheme in Kogi State, Nigeria: Implications for Agricultural Policy

The study modeled factors that influenced farmers’ participation in agricultural insurance scheme in Kogi State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study identified the sources of risk of major concern among small-scale farmers and identified the determinants of use of agricultural insurance scheme. Using proportionate random sampling technique, 120 insured and 120 uninsured small-scale farmers were randomly selected from a population of 82, 365 farmers for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the required information. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logit model. The major sources of risk among small-scale farmers were ill health/death of household members, market failure, price fluctuation, pest and diseases. The likelihood to participate in agricultural insurance scheme among farmers in the State was significantly influenced by education, farm size, access to credit, farm income, farming experience, access to insurance experts, extension contact, and number of livestock reared. By implication, policy framework towards increasing insurance uptake by crop farmers in the State should prioritize education, increasing access to formal credit, availability of insurance and extension experts