Assessment and Adoption of Tomato Charcoal Cooler Storage Bin for Farmers in The Tropics

The study tends to study the postharvest technological evaluation of different tomato storage environments/media for domestic preservation of fresh and fleshy tomato quality to improve its shelf life with emphasis on charcoal cooler storage bin (CCB). It involved the preliminary investigation of farmers’ knowledge and skill with regard to tomato preservation and storage with different tomato storage environments, adoption of developed CCB: design capacity was 40kg/batch storage for 7days in Nsukka. These were conducted between April to September, 2019. The field studies were carried out through structured questionnaire to know the adaptive knowledge and skill of farmers with regard to tomato preservation and storage. Comparative study of the developed CCB with other environmental storage conditions namely: open-air (ambient) storage (OAS), refrigerator (RF), freezer (FR), (room) laboratory storage (LS), and thatched house storage (THS) were carried out. The four varieties of fresh and fleshy harvested tomato fruits: Copra, Nindo F1, Yolings, and UTC locally cultivated were set into the 6 treatments (media), each treatment was replicated twice. The study showed that the quality attributes such as cracking, yellowing, weight loss, rottening, hardness, and brix value were determined. Based on the physicomechanical parameters of the tomatoes under seven days investigation, FR (0 °C,95%) and RF (10 °C, 85%) had better quality and prolonged shelf life, followed closely by the tomato CCB storage (12 °C,85%) and THS(12 °C,78%) then LS(25 °C,78%) and OAS(30 °C,78%). FR storage inhibited/delayed (cold stress) ripening with minimum weight loss, as compared to the other treatments in terms of stability in all parameters. Similarly, CCB was close to RF storage and performed significantly better than ambient OAS and LS. OAS and LS exhibited higher weight loss, and rapid ripening to deterioration due to tropical temperature and relative humidity fluctuation. Therefore, CCB is recommended for rural small scale farmers

Farmers’ Adjustment to Dwindling Services of the Public Extension System in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study investigated farmers’ adjustment to dwindling public extension services in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select ninety-six (96) respondents from three agricultural zones in the study area, data were collected through the use of semi-structured interview schedule. Percentage, frequency and mean scores were the statistical tools used for data analysis. The majority (64.6%) of the respondents adjusted by developing stronger management skill. Findings revealed that all (100%) the respondents adjusted in information source by sourcing agricultural information from personal experience. Findings showed that the majority (97.9%) adjusted in sources of finance and credits by using self-financing. The majority of the respondents (76.0%) preferred self-financing as their source of finance and credit coming from their savings. Results showed that the majority (97.9%) of the respondents made finance/credit adjustment by increased saving for future

Perceived Resilience Capacity of Rice Farmers to Climate Change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Climate change is exposing rice production systems to a range of shock and stress such as more variable water supply, increased pest and diseases and other extreme weather vagaries (flood and drought).  This study determined rice farmers’ perceived resilience capacity to climate change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 104 respondents for the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interview schedule. Percentage scores, mean and standard deviation were used in presentation of results. Mean age of respondents was 42.95 years while mean years of farming experience was 21.85 years. Findings show that the impact of climate change on rice production includes: reduction in income ( =3.61), uncertainties in planting date ( =3.56), change in harvesting date ( =3.18), loss of rice farm to flood ( =3.09). Results show that areas of rice farmers’ resilience capacity to climate change were: planting improved varieties of seed ( =4.76), availability of soil that retains water longer ( =3.33), access to very fertile soil for rice production ( =3.28) and good amount of solar radiation ( =3.21). However, areas in which respondents’ did not perceive as sources of resilience capacity were: favourable government policies ( =2.37), good marketing policies ( =2.57), access to insurance ( =2.84). It is recommended that favourable policies that help rice farmers cope with negative effects of climate change be enacted and implemented. Such policies should address issues of marketing and insurance of rice farms against disasters such as flood, drought, diseases and pests infestation.  Key words: Perceived Resilience, Climate change, Adaptation strategies, Rice farmin

Farmers Use of Erosion Control Measures in Anambra State Nigeria

Abstract The study investigated the attitude of farmers to the use of erosion control measure in Anambra State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 farmers used for the study. Results show that majority (99.2%&98.3%) of the respondents indicated that rain water run-off and poor road construction respectively were the major causes of soil erosion in the area. All (100%) the respondents used mixed cropping, tie ridging and mulching as control practice against erosion. Challenges to farmers’ use of erosion control practices were: unavailability of resource required (ẋ=3.44), and high cost of using the practice (=3.23). Respondents had positive attitude to erosion control as indicated by the results including: it is good to adopt some erosion practices as it helps to save the soil (=2.68), interested in issues concerning erosion as this will help me gain knowledge of how to control it (=2.68),I always teach their family members how to control erosion on their farmland/homes (=2.56), I will like to be trained about erosion control even though it has not directly affected them(=2.55).in the area. The paper advocates that government at all levels should provide financial incentives to farmers so that they can afford some good erosion control practices which are costly for them.   Key words: erosion, environmental degradation, farmers’ attitude, erosion control practices

Perceived Resilience Capacity of Rice Farmers to Climate Change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Climate change is exposing rice production systems to a range of shock and stress such as more variable water supply, increased pest and diseases and other extreme weather vagaries (flood and drought).  This study determined rice farmers’ perceived resilience capacity to climate change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 104 respondents for the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interview schedule. Percentage scores, mean and standard deviation were used in presentation of results. Mean age of respondents was 42.95 years while mean years of farming experience was 21.85 years. Findings show that the impact of climate change on rice production includes: reduction in income ( =3.61), uncertainties in planting date ( =3.56), change in harvesting date ( =3.18), loss of rice farm to flood ( =3.09). Results show that areas of rice farmers’ resilience capacity to climate change were: planting improved varieties of seed ( =4.76), availability of soil that retains water longer ( =3.33), access to very fertile soil for rice production ( =3.28) and good amount of solar radiation ( =3.21). However, areas in which respondents’ did not perceive as sources of resilience capacity were: favourable government policies ( =2.37), good marketing policies ( =2.57), access to insurance ( =2.84). It is recommended that favourable policies that help rice farmers cope with negative effects of climate change be enacted and implemented. Such policies should address issues of marketing and insurance of rice farms against disasters such as flood, drought, diseases and pests infestation.  Key words: Perceived Resilience, Climate change, Adaptation strategies, Rice farmin

Perceived Resilience Capacity of Rice Farmers to Climate Change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Climate change is exposing rice production systems to a range of shock and stress such as more variable water supply, increased pest and diseases and other extreme weather vagaries (flood and drought).  This study determined rice farmers’ perceived resilience capacity to climate change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 104 respondents for the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interview schedule. Percentage scores, mean and standard deviation were used in presentation of results. Mean age of respondents was 42.95 years while mean years of farming experience was 21.85 years. Findings show that the impact of climate change on rice production includes: reduction in income ( =3.61), uncertainties in planting date ( =3.56), change in harvesting date ( =3.18), loss of rice farm to flood ( =3.09). Results show that areas of rice farmers’ resilience capacity to climate change were: planting improved varieties of seed ( =4.76), availability of soil that retains water longer ( =3.33), access to very fertile soil for rice production ( =3.28) and good amount of solar radiation ( =3.21). However, areas in which respondents’ did not perceive as sources of resilience capacity were: favourable government policies ( =2.37), good marketing policies ( =2.57), access to insurance ( =2.84). It is recommended that favourable policies that help rice farmers cope with negative effects of climate change be enacted and implemented. Such policies should address issues of marketing and insurance of rice farms against disasters such as flood, drought, diseases and pests infestation.  Key words: Perceived Resilience, Climate change, Adaptation strategies, Rice farmin

Farmers Use of Erosion Control Measures in Anambra State Nigeria

Abstract The study investigated the attitude of farmers to the use of erosion control measure in Anambra State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 farmers used for the study. Results show that majority (99.2%&98.3%) of the respondents indicated that rain water run-off and poor road construction respectively were the major causes of soil erosion in the area. All (100%) the respondents used mixed cropping, tie ridging and mulching as control practice against erosion. Challenges to farmers’ use of erosion control practices were: unavailability of resource required (ẋ=3.44), and high cost of using the practice (=3.23). Respondents had positive attitude to erosion control as indicated by the results including: it is good to adopt some erosion practices as it helps to save the soil (=2.68), interested in issues concerning erosion as this will help me gain knowledge of how to control it (=2.68),I always teach their family members how to control erosion on their farmland/homes (=2.56), I will like to be trained about erosion control even though it has not directly affected them(=2.55).in the area. The paper advocates that government at all levels should provide financial incentives to farmers so that they can afford some good erosion control practices which are costly for them.   Key words: erosion, environmental degradation, farmers’ attitude, erosion control practices

Farmers’ Adjustment to Dwindling Services of the Public Extension System in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study investigated farmers’ adjustment to dwindling public extension services in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select ninety-six (96) respondents from three agricultural zones in the study area, data were collected through the use of semi-structured interview schedule. Percentage, frequency and mean scores were the statistical tools used for data analysis. The majority (64.6%) of the respondents adjusted by developing stronger management skill. Findings revealed that all (100%) the respondents adjusted in information source by sourcing agricultural information from personal experience. Findings showed that the majority (97.9%) adjusted in sources of finance and credits by using self-financing. The majority of the respondents (76.0%) preferred self-financing as their source of finance and credit coming from their savings. Results showed that the majority (97.9%) of the respondents made finance/credit adjustment by increased saving for future

Gender roles of farmers on the production of African Black Beans (Akidi) in South-East, Nigeria

The study assessed gender roles on the production of African black bean (Akidi) in Southeast, Nigeria. It addressed the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, their agronomic practices, gender roles in the production, constraints encountered by the respondents in the production practices of African black bean and possible strategies for improving the production practices of African black bean. Multi-stage sampling techniques was used to select 192 farmers used for the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Results from the study show that the average age of female and male respondents were 43.58 and 41.20, respectively. Men, women and youths played complementary roles in various operations involved in African black bean production. Men (37.5%, 32.8%, 32.8% and 13.5%) and youths