Economic implications of pastoralists -farmers’ conflicts on agroforestry farming in North Central Nigeria

This study examines the escalating conflict between the farmers and the pastoralists in the North Central region of Nigeria. The  conflicts have reached an alarming rate in recent times as examined. It has not only led to social disorder but has also left an unfortunate indelible mark on the agroforestry farmers in terms of their productivity. The study examines the pastoralists-farmers’ conflicts in north central Nigeria with regard to the economic implication the conflicts specifically have on the agroforestry farmers as well as their productivity in general. North Central Nigeria was purposely selected for the study because of the severity of the prevailing conflicts between the farmers and the pastoralists (Abugu and Onuba, 2015). Out of the six states that make up the North Central in Nigeria, three (3) states: Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states were purposely chosen being the most affected states (Abugu et. al., 2015). ne hundred and eighty (180) questionnaires were prepared and administered to the selected agroforestry farmers within the region. The questionnaires solicited for the following information: demographic characteristics of the respondents, causes of farmer- pastoralist conflicts, economic implication of farmer- pastoralist conflicts, frequency of conflict, among others. Keywords: Economic Implication, Pastoralist, Farmers, Conflic

Perception of farmers on agroforestry systems adoption in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

The study assessed farmers’ characteristic variables and perception towards the adoption of agroforestry practices in Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State. Multistage Sampling Technique was used for the study. Five Wards which include Ijaye /Ojedeji, Ajibade/Alabata/Elekuru,  Akinyele/Isabiyi/Irepodun, Ojo Emo/Moniya and Ojoo/Ajibode/Laniba were randomly selected from the Local Government Area. Ajeja, Alabata, Akinyele, Moniya and Idowu oko areas were selected from each of the Wards, respectively while ten (10) farmers were selected from each of these areas. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage distributions as well as correlational studies were used to analyse the collected data. 34 % of the respondents were involved in the practice of agroforestry according to the study. The correlation (r value) at (p< 0.01) also shows that there is a significant association between respondents’ characteristic variables such as age, educational and marital status and adoption of agroforestry practices, while age, sex, marital and educational status are significant on agroforestry perception. It is recommended that awareness  on benefits of agroforestry should be raised in order to create needed awareness and its importance, adequate technical supports should be  provided for farmers interested in practicing agroforestry and also the efficient use of available farmlands of all types of landholders should be  ensured. Keywords: Farmers’ characteristic variables; Perception; Adoption; Agroforestry practices

Impact of pastoralists-farmers’ conflicts on agroforestry farmers’ psychology and agricultural production in north central Nigeria

The study examined the escalating conflict between the farmers and the pastoralists in the North Central region of Nigeria with regard to its impact on the psychology and productivity of agroforestry farmers. Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states were reported to be the most affected by farmer- pastoralist conflicts in North Central Nigeria, they were therefore purposively selected for the study. The local governments that are most affected by the conflicts were also selected in each state. 25% of agroforestry farmers in each of the selected local government were randomly selected for the study. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) well-structured questionnaires were administered to farmers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage while the correlation coefficient (r) was used to draw inferences between the variables of the hypotheses. The study found out that 29% of the respondents were between the ages of 31-40, 75.6% were male, 69.8% were married, 37.2% had secondary education and majority of them (83.8%) were Christians. Also, 67.8% of them take farming as their main occupation. 40% of them has 6-10 acres of farm size. The Spearman’s rho correlation analysis revealed that demographics characteristics [age (r= -0.341; p= 0.000) education status (r= 0.200; p= 0.008) and household size (r= 0.151; p= 0.042)] of the respondents significantly correlated with the impact the conflict had on respondents’ psychology. The correlation coefficient (R)) showed that frequency of conflict is significantly related to respondents’ agricultural loss (r=0.183; p=0.025) and that the conflicts impact on respondents’ psychology is significantly correlated with their agricultural productiity (r=0.1357; p=0.034)

An Appraisal of Nigeria’s Rural Development Programmes and Policies: Lessons Learnt and the way forward

In Nigeria, development programmes and policies have been formulated over the years with a view to achieving greater social equity and maintaining socio-economic balance particularly among rural households. However, there are enormous gaps, between policy  formulation, implementation and reality in the level of development among the rural populace. It is within this context that this paper appraised the various policies and programmes targeted towards rural development which were put in place by various administrations in Nigeria. These programmes includes several ADPs, OFN, the Green revolution programme, Better life for African rural women, the various programmes implemented by the RBDAs as well as those carried out under the DFRRI. The paper went further to establish the various factors responsible for the failure of these programmes such as Exclusion of relevant professionals in policy formulation, planning and implementation, Conflicting programs and projects, Policy somersault and inconsistency, Corruption and embezzlement, Misplaced priority, Inadequate manpower and technical know-how. Based on the identified lapses in the implementation procedures, the study recommends that well balanced interactions should be established between the government and the various stakeholders in the rural sector not only when policies and programmes are formulated but also when they are being implemented and evaluated so that the much desired developmental activities can manifest. Concerted efforts should also be made to ensure that any policy or programme initiated is accomplished to the letter

Households’ Consumption Pattern of Snail (Archachatina species) in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

The present study investigates household consumption pattern of snail meat in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State. A multistage random  sampling technique was used to administer the questionnaires to a total of 120 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive  statistics and inferential statistics. The socioeconomic factors analyzed showed that age group between 31 and 40 (45.0%) consumed snail more  while age group between 51 and 60 (11.70%) consumed less snails. The majority of respondents were Married (60.8%) and possess secondary education (54.2%). Most of the respondents (95.8%) consume snail meat but most of them consume snail meat on a seasonal basis unlike beef and fish. Furthermore, fried form of snail meat is mostly (65%) preferred when compared to cooked form (24.2%). The regression analysis shows that the consumption of snail meat depended on the price, household size, educational level, household income, nutritive value, occupation and its availability. Problems associated with snail meat consumption in the study area include Price, income level, unavailability and cultural belief. Based on the findings, this study recommends that extension workers should engage the public on the need to get involved in the rearing of snails to make it readily available all year round and thus make it more affordable for all sundry. Keywords: Snail meat, Consumption, Nutritive Values and Oluyole Local Government Area

Farmers’ knowledge and attitude towards the adoption of agroforestry practices in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Nigeria

This study presents farmers’ knowledge and attitudes towards the adoption of agroforestry in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State. A multistage random sampling technique was used to administer the questionnaires to a total of 50 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The demographic factors analyzed showed that the majority of respondents were males (60.8%) and possess married (54.2%). Majority of the respondents (66%) do not practice agroforestry and possessed low knowledge of agroforestry practices. Respondents’ attitudes towards the practice were inadequate. Furthermore, knowledge of agroforestry was found to influence the willingness to adopt the practice, attitudes towards agroforestry practice also influence its adoption in the study area. Based on the findings, this study recommends that extension agents and other stakeholders should intensify effort to pass down adequate knowledge on the practice and advantages of agroforestry to farmers in the simplest form it can be well understood, to improve their attitudes and increase their rate of adoption of agroforestry practices. Keywords: Farmers, Knowledge, Attitude, Adoption, Agroforestry and Akinyele LG

Awareness and perception of urban forestry and greening among dwellers in Ibadan Metropolis- an implication for psychological wellbeing

One out of the many natural components with multiple functions is urban forestry and greening. It plays important roles in social, cultural, economic and landscape enhancement. It also provides recreational facilities, as well as environmental development of urban dwellers in Nigeria as a whole and Ibadan in particular. Apart from all these benefits, a forest experience is considered to be an approach to promoting positive moods in modern urban dwellers, which is important in relieving depression and other common mental health problems. This study was undertaken to ascertain the level of awareness and perception of Ibadan urban dwellers about the psychological implication of urban forestry and greening. One hundred (100) questionnaires were administered to the respondents to assess their awareness and perception of urban forestry and greening in fostering psychological wellbeing. The study reveals that dwellers in Ibadan Metropolis are aware of the fact that urban forestry and greening improve psychological well-being and promote positive moods. Despite their awareness and perception, the result of the study reveals that the practice of urban forestry and greening has not been well embraced. Therefore, this study put forward some recommendations to promote the practice of urban forestry and greening among the dwellers

EFFECT OF INDOLE BUTYRIC ACID ON GROWTH OF Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J. C. Wendl. STEM CUTTINGS

A study was carried out to examine the response of Bambusa vulgaris stem cuttings to different concentrations of Indole butyric acid (IBA). Two node cuttings of Bambusa vulgaris of similar sizes were obtained from mother plants using secateur and treated with IBA at concentration levels of 50 mol., 100 mol., 150 mol., and 0 mol.,as control. They were planted direct in plastic pots containing sterilized river sand and laid out in completely randomized block design and replicated three times in a propagator. The parameters studied were number of leaves per plant, leaf area, culm diameter, biomass and carbon stock, which were assessed weekly for a period of 12 weeks. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using the least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed for all the parameters studied. Stem cuttings with 150 mol. of Indole butyric acid produced the highest number of leaves (9 leaves), largest leaf area of 18.20 cm2and culm diameter of 1.90 cm and highest carbon stock of 14.29 g. Stem cuttings with 100 mol. of Indole butyric acid had largest biomas while, those without Indole butyric acid had the lowest performance for all the characters studied