Effect of access to ICT on the use of internet among farmers in South East Nigeria

A study was conducted on effect of access to information and communication technology on the use of internet among farmers in South East Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data from 270 respondents from the study area. Data analysis was by the use of mean scores and simple regression. The study found that internet use correlated positively and significantly with accessibility, with a t-value of 3.462. The implication of this finding is that accessibility to ICTs will influence internet use. There is no doubt that usage of extent ICT such as internet is a function of awareness of the type of ICT available and needed for extension. Based on this it is recommended that public awareness on the use of ICT will enhance usage to a very large extent and should be strongly encouraged

Utilization of sweetpotato based confection technology: A panacea to food crisis among women farmers in Imo State

Utilization of sweet potato-based confectionary was used as a step to reducing food crisis among women farmers in Imo state because of the health benefits, environmental friendliness and ability to make a home food secured with little investments. This is because such technology will help serve as an avenue to reduce food crisis among women. The study identified the demographic characteristics of the women farmers, level of awareness of the technology, level of utilization and constraints associated with utilization of the technology. One hundred and twenty women farmers were sampled in the study area using multi-stage random sampling technique. The study revealed that lack of credit, contact with extension agents and membership of cooperative societies were problems associated with utilization of the technology

Commercialization Of Palm Fruit Processing In Mbaise Area Of Imo State, Nigeria

The study examined the analysis of gender and commercialization of pain fruit processing in Mbaise: Implication for unlocking impeding rural prosperity. The multi-stage sampling technique was employed for the sampling procedure. Ninety-five respondents were randomly selected from five purposively selected communities. The survey method was the main instrument used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Maximum likelihood Probit Regression Analysis. Results indicate that sex, age, household size, income, access to loan and processing type were positive and statistically significant at P≤.01, while level of education was negative and statistically significant at .01 level of significance. Policies and programmes aimed at improving rural prosperity through commercialization of palm fruit processing should be strived at Keywords: commercialization , palm fruit processing, Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 3 (2) 2007: pp. 131-13

Effect Of Utilization Of ICTs For Agricultural Information On Socio-Economic Characteristics Of Farmers In Southeastern Nigeria

There is no doubt that Information and communication has emerged as a useful and more reliable agricultural extension tool for development process. Interestingly, farmers who are the beneficiaries of agricultural extension programmes have embraced this technology but have been hampered by certain challenges bordering on their socioeconomic characteristics. This study investigates the effect of utilization of ICTs for agricultural information on socioeconomic characteristics of farmers in southeastern Nigeria. Structured interview was administered on 270 respondents in the study area. Data analysis was by the use of multiple regression. Findings revealed that Age, education, marital status and income significantly influenced utilization of ICT for agricultural information by farmers. It was recommended that efforts should be made by Federal, State and Local Governments to provide adequate ICT resources in both urban and rural areas. The Ministry of Information and Communication need to carry out a massive sensitization of the potentials of the ICTs for the speedy or timely dissemination of information to farmers. Intensive training in the use of ICTs should be organized by government to enable farmers know how to make use of varied ICT resources. Massive awareness campaign should be conducted among farmers articulating the use as well as relevance of ICTs in agricultural information exchange.Key words: agricultural information, socio-economic characteristics, farmer

Application of Production Recommendations of Cassava/Maize/Egusi-Melon Intercropping System by Green River Project Farmers in Niger Delta, Nigeria

The study examined the current rate of application of the production recommendations of cassava/maize/egusi-melon intercropping system by rural farmers in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Data collection was with the questionnaire which was randomly administered to a sample size of 270 respondents. Frequencies, percentages, analysis of variance and mean separation were used for data analyses. Results indicated a mean of 77.56 percent current rate of application of the recommendations by farmers in the region. Current rate of application was highest (80.78 percent) in Rivers State, followed by Bayelsa State (79.86 percent) and lastly by Imo State (72.22 percent). Significant variation in application existed in Rivers and Bayelsa States than with Imo State. The study recommends higher agricultural extension efforts among Imo state farmers to raise their application rate to be at par with those of Rivers and Bayelsa States

Analysis Of The Factors Influencing The Adoption Of Valueadded Products Of Cassava In Southeast, Nigeria

The factors influencing the adoption of value added products of cassava in Southeast, Nigeria was estimated using the exponential regression function in 2007. The study was carried out in 3 States i.e Abia, Imo and Akwa Ibom States, structured questionnaire was used for the survey. Data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that adoption of the value added products was low with mean adoption score of 2.1. The highest adoption score of 7.9 was recorded in cassava chips. Majority (60%) of the farmers derived agricultural information from the ADP/NARIs farmer participatory activities. The multiple regression results showed that age, mass media exposure and contact with ADPs had direct relationship with adoption, while household size had an inverse relationship with adoption. It was recommenced that simple processing tools be produced at affordable prices to facilitate adoption, media usage in popularizing value added products should also be intensified

Comparative Performance Evaluation of the Agricultural Development Programmes of Abia and Enugu States, Nigeria

This study evaluated the performance of Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) of Abia and Enugu states, Nigeria; with particular focus on extension services delivery in the study areas. The specific objectives of the study included to identify and compare the performance of the project in the two states with respect to extension service delivery. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents made up of 40 extension staff and 60 farmers from each state. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources and analyzed using percentages and mean. A hypothesis was postulated and tested in this study using Paired T-test analysis. The results revealed that despite inherent funding problems in ADPs in Nigeria, the two states ADPs were able to carry out some extension activities. These included visits to farmers, conduct of SPATs, and conduct of FNTs/MTs, establishment of MTPs and OFARs among others. Abia ADP had better staff disposition and media coverage than Enugu ADP, A little effort from Abia ADP field staff had a multiplying effect and yielded a higher result as more farm families were reached unlike Enugu ADP that had few field staff and thus achieved very little of their target coverage. Results of the analysis showed that out of the 11 extension performance indices measured in the two States ADPs, three showed significant difference at 5% significance level in the performance of Abia and Enugu states ADPs. They are number of extension agents (6.676**), farm visits (5.984**) and monthly review meetings (MTRM) (4.588**). In view of this result, the study therefore recommended that government should make haste to employ better trained extension staff to enhance extension service delivery in Enugu State. This will speedily revive and sustain grassroots’ agricultural production and rural development in the state.Key words: Evaluation of Extension programmes, Agricultural Development Programmes, Extension Service Delivery

Performance of pure and crossbred progenies of Red Sokoto and West African Dwarf goats in the Rainforest Zone of South Eastern Nigeria.

This study is a report of part of a planned breeding programme to evaluate the performance of pure and crossbred progenies of Red Sokoto (RS) and West African Dwarf (WAD) goats in a rainforest zone of South Eastern Nigeria. A total of 56 kids produced by four breeding goat units consisting of pure Red Sokoto (RS x RS), pure West African Dwarf (WAD X WAD), main cross (RS x WAD), and reciprocal cross (WAD X RS) were used to investigate performance and cost benefit of producing progenies of these indigenous goats. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with genetic group and sex as the factors of interest. Results showed that at birth, the male RS X RS kids weighed significantly (P<0.05) highest (1.84±0.23kg), followed by WAD X RS (1.43±0.14kg), RS X WAD (1.37±0.56kg) while the WAD X WAD kids had the lowest birth weight (1.15±0.39kg). However, the RS X WAD female kids, at birth weighed significantly highest (1.5±0.54kg), followed by the RS X RS (1.33±0.98kg), WAD X RS (1.31±0.17kg) and WAD X WAD (1.09±0.12kg).Body weight at 18 weeks was significantly higher for RS X RS (9.82±0.79kg) than the RS X WAD (8.34±0.85) which in turn was significantly higher than the WAD X RS (7.61±0.13kg) and WAD X WAD (7.51±0.61kg). The male and female kids of the RS X WAD had improved body weight and the linear body measurements namely, body length, height-at-withers and heart girth. This genetic group had a higher average daily gain (46.03 ± 1.41g/d) and better feed conversion ratio (5.38 ± 0.27) than the RS x WAD (6.64 ± 0.18) and WAD x WAD (7.02 ± 0.21). It also had the lowest cost of production (N953.40=$6.60) and as such the highest gross margin (N2,111.06 =$14.60) in 18 weeks. Individuals in this group appeared more promising hybrid goats for commercial meat goat production in the rainforest zone of South Eastern Nigeria.Keywords: Red Sokoto and WAD goats, crossbreeding, linear body measurements, cost benefit, rainforest zone