Listenership of Latoju Oja Radio Extension Programme among Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study assessed the listenership of latoju oja radio programme among farmers in Oyo state, Nigeria. Ninety farmers from three local government areas were randomly interviewed and data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that the mean age of farmers was 47 years. Most of them (67.8%) were Muslims, male (76.7%), and married (94.4%). Respondents had moderate level of education showing primary education (42.2%) to be in the modal class. A high proportion (80.0%) of the farmers were satisfied with the time of airing of latoju oja programme and considered it to be a useful source of information with a favourable disposition about the programme. Farmers disposition was highest in areas of enhancement of farmers bargaining power ( =4.53). The major constraint faced by respondents was how to sort out conflicting information provided by latoju oja radio programme ( =2.84)). The findings indicated listenership to be low among a majority (58.9%). A significant relationship existed between level of education (x2=3.99), benefits derived (r=0.15) and listenership of latoju oja radio programme.  Although latoju oja radio programme is well listened to, the information provided should be reconciled with the current market value so as to achieve the desired objective

Listenership of Latoju Oja Radio Extension Programme among Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study assessed the listenership of latoju oja radio programme among farmers in Oyo state, Nigeria. Ninety farmers from three local government areas were randomly interviewed and data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that the mean age of farmers was 47 years. Most of them (67.8%) were Muslims, male (76.7%), and married (94.4%). Respondents had moderate level of education showing primary education (42.2%) to be in the modal class. A high proportion (80.0%) of the farmers were satisfied with the time of airing of latoju oja programme and considered it to be a useful source of information with a favourable disposition about the programme. Farmers disposition was highest in areas of enhancement of farmers bargaining power ( =4.53). The major constraint faced by respondents was how to sort out conflicting information provided by latoju oja radio programme ( =2.84)). The findings indicated listenership to be low among a majority (58.9%). A significant relationship existed between level of education (x2=3.99), benefits derived (r=0.15) and listenership of latoju oja radio programme.  Although latoju oja radio programme is well listened to, the information provided should be reconciled with the current market value so as to achieve the desired objective

Linking maize farmers to market: a case study of private extension service in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

The challenges of feeding the world and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for small-scale farmers remain greater today than ever before. This is largely because efficient market systems and better coordinated commodity chains are rarely in place. There is therefore the need for shift from production-oriented agricultural extension services towards market orientation involving multi-stakeholder partnerships. This study therefore investigated how private extension services in Nigeria are responding to these needs. Using an explorative case study, this paper presents the activities of a private extension outfit along maize value chain in Ogun state, Nigeria. The study revealed that the outfit performs functions that are not limited to knowledge transfer but as well building integration and interaction among the diverse actors. The study further identified crucial performance indicators to evaluate success and ensure sustainability of the actors. Challenges such as breach of trust and sharp practices were also identified as obstacles to this approach. Meanwhile, the farmers were able to experience improved linkage to market as a result of the well coordinated maize value chain. These findings had therefore demonstrated on how private extension services in Nigeria is responding proactively to the pressure of changing roles and additional responsibilities on extension by rendering services that are not fully covered in public extension services

Linking maize farmers to market: a case study of private extension service in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

The challenges of feeding the world and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for small-scale farmers remain greater today than ever before. This is largely because efficient market systems and better coordinated commodity chains are rarely in place. There is therefore the need for shift from production-oriented agricultural extension services towards market orientation involving multi-stakeholder partnerships. This study therefore investigated how private extension services in Nigeria are responding to these needs. Using an explorative case study, this paper presents the activities of a private extension outfit along maize value chain in Ogun state, Nigeria. The study revealed that the outfit performs functions that are not limited to knowledge transfer but as well building integration and interaction among the diverse actors. The study further identified crucial performance indicators to evaluate success and ensure sustainability of the actors. Challenges such as breach of trust and sharp practices were also identified as obstacles to this approach. Meanwhile, the farmers were able to experience improved linkage to market as a result of the well coordinated maize value chain. These findings had therefore demonstrated on how private extension services in Nigeria is responding proactively to the pressure of changing roles and additional responsibilities on extension by rendering services that are not fully covered in public extension services

Linking Maize Farmers to Market: A Case Study of Private Extension service in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This paper presents the activities of a private extension outfit along maize value chain in Ogun state, Nigeria. The study reveals that the outfit performs functions that are not limited to knowledge transfer but as well as building integration and interaction among the diverse actors. The study further identified crucial performance indicators to evaluate success and ensure sustainability of the actors. Challenges such as breach of trust and sharp practices were also identified as obstacles to this approach. Meanwhile, farmers were able to experience improved linkage to market as a result of the well coordinated maize value chain. These findings had therefore demonstrated how private extension services in Nigeria are responding proactively to the pressure of changing roles and additional responsibilities of extension by rendering services that are not fully covered in public extension services.Keywords: Private extension, Out-growers, Maize farmers

Household food insecurity and cooking energy access in Nigeria: A panel data approach

Access to sources of cooking energy has potential impacts on food security, however, there is a paucity of information and empirical evidence on their linkages. This study sought to ascertain the impacts of access to cooking energy on household food security in Nigeria, using the nationally representative Living Standards Measurement Study data. The data covered the period 2010/2011 to 2015/2016. The Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) were used to measure household food security, while the major cooking fuel type utilized by households was used as a proxy for cooking energy access. To unravel the effects of access to different cooking energy sources on food security, inferential analysis was conducted using the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). The findings of the study revealed that traditional/biomass (firewood, grass and charcoal) cooking energy sources are still widely used by households across Nigeria. The empirical analysis showed that households that use transition and clean cooking energy sources were eating more diverse diets than those that use biomass. Furthermore, households using clean cooking energy sources had lower HFIAS than those using biomass. It is imperative that more households in Nigeria should have improved access to cleaner sources of cooking energy to reduce carbon emissions and enhance health outcomes, and food and nutrition status. This will significantly improve the national food security outlook, and foster the attainment of national and SDG (2 and 7) goals