DETERMINANTS OF FOOD SECURITY STATUS AMONG RURAL FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

This study was carried out to examine the determinants of  food security status among rural Farm households in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Interview guides were employed to elicit information from randomly selected 180 respondents from 12 agricultural cells (villages) from two agricultural zones of Kaduna State. The result of the logistic regression model shows the factors that determine the food security status of the respondents in the study area. It was revealed that four out of the seven variables included in the model were significant. The determinants of food security in the study area were age, extension contact, source of labour and per capita income of the respondents. The result of marginal effect shows that the probability of food security among the farm households is more responsive to a change in age than to extension contact, source of labour and per capita income. Keywords: Rural Farm households, Food security, Agricultural cells, Marginal effect

Effective Extension Information Dissemination Methods Used in Disseminating Organic Agricultural Practices as Mitigating Strategy for Climate Change in Kogi State - Nigeria

The major objective of the paper was to identify the most effective extension information teaching methods used in disseminating organic agricultural practices as mitigating strategy to climate change in Kogi State. A multi – stage random sampling technique was employed in selecting 270 respondents from the three senatorial districts in the state. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) was used in data analysis. Results show that increase in atmospheric heat (x? = 4.74), increased Weed growth (x? = 4.62), reduction in Soil fertility (x? = 4.59), decreased yield of crops (x? = 4.52), increase in Pests and Diseases (x? =4.39), increase in health related issues (x? = 4.32), decrease in the availability of portable water (x? = 4.14) are the most common and significant effects of climate change in the study area. The paper also identified group meetings (77.8%), informal personal contacts (72.9%), farm and home visits (70%), training and visits (67%), result demonstration (63.7%), field trips (60.4%), radio programmes (55.2%) and agricultural exhibitions (52.6%) as the most effective extension information dissemination methods employed by extension agents in the state in disseminating organic agriculture. The paper concluded that the disparity between the level of awareness and adoption of recommended organic agricultural practice in the study area is as a result of non frequent contact between extension agents and farmers. It was recommended that extension agents should reschedule their activities and programmes to accommodate frequent contact with the farmers. Government should increase funding on extension programmes and activities and engage more extension personnel in the state. Keywords: Effective, Information Dissemination, Organic Agriculture, Mitigating Strategy, Climate Change