Motivation factors affecting employees job performance in selected agricultural oil palm industries in Edo State, Nigeria

Motivation is the combination of a person's desire and energy directed at achieving a goal. It is the cause of action. Motivation can be intrinsic, such as satisfaction and feelings of achievement; or extrinsic, such as rewards,punishment, and goal obtainment. The study assessed the motivating factors affecting the job performance of two oil palm companies’ employees, in Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study were to; ascertain the socioeconomic characteristics of employees, the challenges faced by both employees and management of selectedcompanies; and determine motivating factors affecting employees’ job performance in selected oil palm companies in Edo state.Using proportional and simple random sampling techniques, 83  respondents were selected for the study. The findings of the study revealed that majority (72%) of Presco employees were males compared to (27%) of Okomu. A large proportion of the respondents (59%) and (67.6%) were married for Presco and Okomu respectively. Majority(82%) and (100%) of Presco and Okomu employees were between ages 31 and 50 years respectively. The most important motivating factors for respondents’ job performance are annual leave granted ( x = 4.21), leave bonus given ( x = 4.10), and free medical care ( x = 3.79). The major challenges to the employees are lack of appreciation for hard work ( x = 4.8, 9), delayed promotion ( x = 4.86), random sack of workers ( x = 4.40) and absence of staff training ( x = 4.07). There was a significant relationship between income of respondents and challenges they face (r = -0.266: P<0.05). The study suggested that employers should compensate hard work and provide avenue for job security. In addition, management should create a certain level of informal relationship that would enable them share a cordial relationship with their employees. This would give management an insight into the appropriate and specific factors thatmotivate workers

Training Needs Assessment of Cocoa Farmers Association Members on Soil Management Techniques in Cross River State of Nigeria

The influence of soil fertility on the performance of any crop cannot be overemphasized. The study assessed cocoa farmers’ training needs on soil management techniques in Cross River State of Nigeria. Study data were obtained from random sample of farmers belonging to Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) in Cross River State. Average age of respondents was 54.4 years while many (53%) were between ages 41–60 years. On soil management practices, 67.9% did not spend any money to maintain soil on their cocoa farms. Majority (83.4%) did not use any inorganic fertilizer to increase soil fertility. The findings also revealed that cocoa farmers need high level of training in the area of use of simple soil analysis tool to determine soil fertility (74.2%), handling of diseased and mummified pods removed from the farms (67.9%), record keeping on the soil management activities on the farm (87.5%) and appropriate methods of soil replenishment to encourage better yield (63.8%). Study’s analysis showed that significant relationship exists between farmers’ farming experience (r=0.56, p=0.03), farmers’ income/ha from cocoa (r=0.45, p=0.00), farmers’ educational status (r=0.35, p=0.04) and cocoa farmers’ training needs on soil management practices in Cross River State, Nigeria. Study concluded that farmers need adequate information on how to manage soil for better yield and higher profit from cocoa farms.Key words: Cocoa, soil, training needs, Cross River, management techniques and Nigeri

Factors influencing income generating potentials amongst cashew farmers in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

The study identified the income generating potentials of cashew fruits and attitude of farmers towards adding value to cashew in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was designed to elicit information on selected personal characteristics, level of income generated from cashew fruits, sources of information, farming activities and attitude towards processing of cashew fruits for income generation in the study area. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty farmers from a list of six hundred farmers in the study area. A significant relationship exists between the level of income generated from cashew fruits and education (X2 =9.700; P=0.05). In conclusion, farmers generate income from raw fruits only and have negative disposition towards adding value to cashew fruits for income generation. It is therefore recommended that cashew fruit farmers be educated on processing potentials of cashew fruits to enhance their income and improve their standard of living in the study area. Keywords: Income; Cashew; Potentials; Farmers; NigeriaMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 35-4

Determining the profitability level of black soap production from Cocoa Pod Husk in Lagelu local government area of Oyo State

The profitability of an enterprise determines the degree such an enterprise can retain its practitioners. This study therefore determines the profitability level of black soap production from cocoa pod husk (CPH) in the study area. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select four villages while simple random technique was used to select sixty respondents for the study. The study showed that majority of the producers (88.4%) are females and most (71.0%) of the producers have no formal education. The result of the Budgetary Analysis shows that the average profitability level of black soap production in the study area is 36.36%. Regression Analysis showed that the coefficient of multiple determination (R2) is 71.9% with standard error of 0.25887. The coefficients of all the inputs were significant at1% except those of X4 (cost of depreciated fixed input) and X5 (cost of firewood). Women had the highest percentage of house hold contributions. It is recommended that government should endeavour to grant soft loans to black soap producers and also try to make modern equipment available for the use of the producers. Producers should also be encouraged to form Cooperatives to ensure easy access to cocoa pod husk at cheaper rate.Keywords: black soap, cocoa pod husk, profitabilityJournal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social SciencesVol 3(1) 2005: 69-8

Stress coping strategies among agricultural extension agents in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study examined the coping strategies used by extension agents A total of seventy 72agricultural extension agents were randomly sampled out of 288 agricultural extension agents from the four zones (Saki, Oyo, Ogbomosho, and Ibadan) in the Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP). A questionnaire was used for data collection while the data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Out of 11 job stressors, the predominant job stressors carried out by the extension agentswere farmers field visitation with (x̄ =4.80),training of farmers ( x̄ = 4.76) and establishment of SPAT (small plot adoption techniques)( x̄ =4.59) Reading newspaper, magazine or book (x̄ =1.77) and discussing work situation with spouse or close friends (x̄ = 1.5) were the major coping strategies used in overcoming job stress while negative coping strategies such as becoming aggressive recorded low mean score of 0.34. There was strong relationship between some job stressors and coping strategies employed by workers. Employees should have control over work flow to reduce work stress and increase work efficiency.Keywords: Extension agentswork stress, stressors and copying strategie

Cocoa farmers’perception of Community Based Nursery Scheme: A case study of selected states in Nigeria

Nigerian cocoa production has declined compared to the existing situation before oil discovery in the early 1970s. This decline has been linked to the presence of old cocoa varieties on cocoa plantations and incidence of pests and diseases. Sustainable Tree Crop Programme (STCP)| -Nigeria established Community Based Nursery Scheme (CBNS) to encourage easy access to improved cocoa seedlings and community participation in nursery establishment and maintenance. This study aims at determining cocoa farmers’ assessment of the CBNS in selected states of Nigeria. The study revealed that many of the respondents (44.7%) were over 60 year. the mean age was 59.8 years, and 91.4% were married while 63.8% had formal education. On cocoa farming experience, 41.7% had more than 10 years cocoa farming experience, 41.7 owned 1-3ha of land, 16.6% had more than 15 hectares of cocoa farms. Respondents’ comparison of the scheme with the government nursery scheme revealed access to seedlings (33.3%), nursery sites closer to farmers (43.8%), CBNS allows for self improvement of participating farmers (8.3%) and group efforts/ formation encouragement (14.6%) as the advantages of the scheme over the government nursery scheme. The attitude of respondents towards the scheme revealed that 78.6% of the respondents have favourable  disposition toward the scheme. The inferential statistics show that  educational status (÷2 = 10.2, p = 0.002) had significant association withrespondents’ attitude towards the scheme, while size of farm and farming experience (p<0.05) had a significant relationship with the respondents’ attitude towards the scheme. It was concluded that the high positive  disposition of respondents shows that farmers would be willing to support the innovation if necessary support is given by the government and other stakeholders in the cocoa industry to scale up the idea.Key words: Cocoa, farmers, attitude, and community nursery scheme