Causes of Cassava Post-Harvest Losses Among Farmers In Imo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The study examined farmers perception of post harvest cassava losses in Imo state. It specifically addressed the frequency of use of electronic sources of information on post harvest losses, perceived causes of cassava post-harvest losses and the involvement in cassava processing. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 120 rural farmers selected at random. Data was analyzed using SPSS to obtain the mean, percentage and mean score. Findings from the study reveal that the frequency of use of the eight electronic sources of information on post harvest cassava losses listed has a grand mean of 1.7, an indication of low use of the sources. Mobile phone calls/SMS has the highest mean score(3.01). Age, education, household size, farm size, were important socioeconomic characteristics influencing the perceived causes of post harvest losses having been found significant at 5% level. Cassava farmers should be granted credit facilities and be encouraged to form cooperatives to help raise fund and get facility needed to reduce post-harvest losses. Farmers should be encouraged to use other electronic sources in order to enjoy those services and keep abreast of information on cassava post harvest losses. Keywords; post harvest cassava losses, E- information sources

Analysis of Use of Organic Farming Practices among Rural fish Farmers in South-South Nigeria.

The paper focused on the use of organic farming practices amongst fish farmers in South-South Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used and three states (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta) were randomly selected from the six states that make up South-South zone in Nigeria. Data for the study was obtained with a structured questionnaire administered to a sample size of one hundred and fifteen (115) fish farmers. Findings revealed that fish farmers were aware of six out of the fourteen organic farming practices listed. Use level was low in organic farming practices for fish. The result revealed that out of the fourteen (14) practices outlined, fish farmers engaged in the use of three of such practices. Farmers agreed to the use of eco-friendly design (x ̅ = 2.56 and SD = 0.86), site is far from polluting substances (x ̅ = 2.57 and SD =1.01) and pond protection from predators ((x ) ̅= 2.70 and SD = 0.89). From the result, the following were considered not being used; Management without growth hormones ((x ) ̅= 2.41 and SD = 0.89), antibiotics is used in critical cases where no other treatment would work ((x ) ̅= 1.97 and SD = 0.88), cultivate without genetic engineering (x ̅ = 2.21 and SD = 1.18), quality water source (x ̅= 2.14 and SD = 1.09), organic fertilizer (x ̅ = 1.89 and SD = 0.98), low stock density 10kg/m3 (x ̅= 1.62 and SD= 0.98), manage without synthetic appetizer and coloring (x ̅= 1.92 and SD= 1.78), poly-culture (x ̅= 1.98 and SD = 0.99), proper record keeping (x ̅ = 1.98 and SD = 1.10), use of resistant species (x ̅ = 2.43 and SD = 1.00) and natural treatment (homeopathy) (x ̅ = 1.86 and SD = 0.89). The low use of organic farming practices among fish farmers could be as a result of challenges or difficulties in carrying out such practices and lack of awareness of the dangers associated with the conventional practices. It is recommended therefore that training on organic fish production practices be emphasized in Extension activities

Causes of Cassava Post-Harvest Losses Among Farmers In Imo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The study examined farmers perception of post harvest cassava losses in Imo state. It specifically addressed the frequency of use of electronic sources of information on post harvest losses, perceived causes of cassava post-harvest losses and the involvement in cassava processing. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 120 rural farmers selected at random. Data was analyzed using SPSS to obtain the mean, percentage and mean score. Findings from the study reveal that the frequency of use of the eight electronic sources of information on post harvest cassava losses listed has a grand mean of 1.7, an indication of low use of the sources. Mobile phone calls/SMS has the highest mean score(3.01). Age, education, household size, farm size, were important socioeconomic characteristics influencing the perceived causes of post harvest losses having been found significant at 5% level. Cassava farmers should be granted credit facilities and be encouraged to form cooperatives to help raise fund and get facility needed to reduce post-harvest losses. Farmers should be encouraged to use other electronic sources in order to enjoy those services and keep abreast of information on cassava post harvest losses. Keywords; post harvest cassava losses, E- information sources

C10 Causes of Cassava Post-Harvest Losses Among Farmers In Imo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The study examined farmers perception of post harvest cassava losses in Imo state. It specifically addressed the frequency of use of electronic sources of information on post harvest losses, perceived causes of cassava post-harvest losses and the involvement in cassava processing. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 120 rural farmers selected at random. Data was analyzed using SPSS to obtain the mean, percentage and mean score. Findings from the study reveal that the frequency of use of the eight electronic sources of information on post harvest cassava losses listed has a grand mean of 1.7, an indication of low use of the sources. Mobile phone calls/SMS has the highest mean score(3.01). Age, education, household size, farm size, were important socioeconomic characteristics influencing the perceived causes of post harvest losses having been found significant at 5% level. Cassava farmers should be granted credit facilities and be encouraged to form cooperatives to help raise fund and get facility needed to reduce post-harvest losses. Farmers should be encouraged to use other electronic sources in order to enjoy those services and keep abreast of information on cassava post harvest losses. Keywords; post harvest cassava losses, E- information sources