Awareness and adoption of Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) technologies by farmers in Owan-west lga, Edo State, Nigeria

This study assessed the awareness and adoption of NIFOR oil palm technologies by oil palm farmers in Owan-West Local Government Area of Edo State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select fourcommunities from the study area and 83 farmers were sampled from the communities using interview schedule. Data were analyzed using frequency count, percentages, mean, standard deviation, chi-square and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Findings revealed that majority of the respondents were male (73.5%), while most of them fell between the ages of 40 years and above (71.1%), with many of them having a farming experience of 10 years and below (63.8%). Findings also revealed that 62.7% of the respondents are aware of NIFOR improved oil palm variety (tenera), while 54.2% have adopted and are still using this improved variety (tenera). The major constraints considered as affecting adoption of NIFOR disseminated technologies are land tenure practices ( x =4.49) and lack of interest in disseminated technologies ( x = 4.37). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between awareness and adoption of NIFOR disseminated oil palm technologies (r = 0.86; P<0.05) by the respondents. Based on the findings, it is therefore recommended that the land tenure system in the country be reviewed and that NIFOR should ensure that technologies being designed meet the potentialities of oil palm farmers alongside having comparative advantages over traditional practices

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

Farmer's knowledge and perception of horticultural insect pest problems in southwestern Nigeria

This survey was carried out in three states of southwestern Nigeria (Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states) on farmer's perception of horticultural insect pest problems. The survey was conducted between August 2002 and January 2003. A large number of the farmers were above 25 years old (91%). They were predominantly male (73%) and about 76% were married. Some farmers cultivate both tree and vegetables (36.5%) while a few of them plant trees, vegetable and ornamentals together (5.4%). Whilst 89% were aware of insect pest problems, only 35% used chemical treatment even though about 79% thought that pest damage ranged from mild to severe. Majority of the farmers adopt diverse number of traditional methods in pest control. Key words: Farmers, pests, horticultural crops, vegetable, control African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(11) 2003: 434-43

Assessment of the Entrepreneurial Interest of Agriculture Students of University Of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

The study assessed the level of entrepreneurial interest of agriculture students. Using a proportionate random sampling technique, a total of 106 students was sampled. Findings showed that 65.1% of the students were males and 88.7% were within the age range of 20-29 years. Respondents indicated having a higher level of competence in rearing livestock (mean = 4.56) and poultry (mean = 4.25) but their major area of entrepreneurial interest was in poultry business (mean =2.68). They perceived raising fingerlings and fish production as the most profitable agribusiness (mean = 4.69). Respondents indicated the field practical training had improved their practical knowledge of agriculture (mean = 4.30) and that inadequate capital (mean = 4.40) was a constraint in starting an agribusiness. There was a significant association between students’ choice of study (Χ2=13.167, p<0.05) and their entrepreneurship interest. It is recommended that students should be motivated with incentives to stimulate their entrepreneurial interest

Farmers’ Constraints to Increased Poultry Production in Ogun State

This study investigated constraints to the increased poultry production in Ogun State.A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 poultry farmers for the study. Data was collected through the use of interview schedule and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means, chi-square and correlation analysis. The results showed that majority (76.67%) of the poultry farmers were male, with a mean age of 37years. Over half (61.66%) of the farmers were Christian. A large proportion (98.33%) had completed one form of formal education or the other. The mean farming experience and household size were 5years and 7persons respectively. The study revealed that over half (52.60%) of the respondents depended solely on personal savings as source of capital. Majority (65.63%) of the poultry farmers were operating at small scale. The respondents indicated high cost of equipment (89.00%), inaccessibility to credit (66.67%) and high cost of feeds (63.33%) as serious constraints to poultry production practices. Significant relationship existed between constraints to increased poultry production and sex (χ2 = 9.64, p =0.02), educational level (χ2=7.53; p = 0.03),management system(χ2 = 9.37; p = 0.04) ( age (r=0.81; p = 0.03), farming experience (r=0.74, p = 0.02)and household size(r=0.69,p=0.04) This study recommends that effort must be made to subsidize poultry feed ingredients and poultry equipment to reduce their cost