Effects of Climate Change on Fluted Pumpkin Production and Adaptaton Measures Used Among Farmers in Rivers State

The importance of fluted pumpkin crop in rural household economy cannot be over emphasized. Farmers in the South South Nigeria depend greatly on fluted pumpkin for its many uses. The production however is beset with a myriad of constraints of which climate change is one of the most outstanding. The study assessed the effects of climate change and adaptation measures used by fluted pumpkin farmers in Ikwerre Local Government Area(LGA) of Rivers State, Southsouth Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. Out of the twelve communities that make up Ikwerre LGA, six communities were randomly chosen from which one hundred and eighty fluted pumpkin farmers were proportionately selected. Interview schedule and focus group discussion were used to elicit in depth information from respondents. Data were analyzed using percentage, frequency count and mean. Tables and charts were used in presentation of data. The result of the study showed that 51 percent of the respondents were female, majority were married (77 percent) and were full time farmers (79 percent). Relatively large proportion had no formal education (42 percent) and indicated both consumption and sale (79 percent) as the major aim of production. The respondents perceived that unpredictable climate condition, changes in rainfall pattern, changes in rainfall distribution, reduced yield of fluted pumpkin and reduction of family income were the major effects of climate change on fluted pumpkin production. A combination of fluted pumpkin production with other income generating activities was shown to be the most widely used adaptation strategy by respondents. Based on the results of the study it was recommended that improved extension services that can provide the needed farming inputs (fluted pumpkin seedlings, fertilizers e.t.c) as well as useful and relevant information on climate change and adaptation strategies should be made available to the people

Effects of Climate Change on Fluted Pumpkin Production and Adaptaton Measures Used Among Farmers in Rivers State

The importance of fluted pumpkin crop in rural household economy cannot be over emphasized. Farmers in the South South Nigeria depend greatly on fluted pumpkin for its many uses. The production however is beset with a myriad of constraints of which climate change is one of the most outstanding. The study assessed the effects of climate change and adaptation measures used by fluted pumpkin farmers in Ikwerre Local Government Area(LGA) of Rivers State, Southsouth Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. Out of the twelve communities that make up Ikwerre LGA, six communities were randomly chosen from which one hundred and eighty fluted pumpkin farmers were proportionately selected. Interview schedule and focus group discussion were used to elicit in depth information from respondents. Data were analyzed using percentage, frequency count and mean. Tables and charts were used in presentation of data. The result of the study showed that 51 percent of the respondents were female, majority were married (77 percent) and were full time farmers (79 percent). Relatively large proportion had no formal education (42 percent) and indicated both consumption and sale (79 percent) as the major aim of production. The respondents perceived that unpredictable climate condition, changes in rainfall pattern, changes in rainfall distribution, reduced yield of fluted pumpkin and reduction of family income were the major effects of climate change on fluted pumpkin production. A combination of fluted pumpkin production with other income generating activities was shown to be the most widely used adaptation strategy by respondents. Based on the results of the study it was recommended that improved extension services that can provide the needed farming inputs (fluted pumpkin seedlings, fertilizers e.t.c) as well as useful and relevant information on climate change and adaptation strategies should be made available to the people

Effect of Personality Types of Extension Personnel on their Job Performance in Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme (RISADEP). Implications for Human Capacity Building

This research examines the Effect of Personality Types of Extension Personnel on their Job Performance in Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme (RISADEP). Specifically, the study describes the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, identifies the individual personality types of extension personnel in RISADEP, ascertains the job performance of extension personnel; determine whether a relationship exist between job performance and personality type of extension personnel and whether Socio-demographic characteristics affect job performance of extension personnel. Data collection was with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered to 63 extension personnel which was randomly selected from six area offices of which only 57 was useable for analysis. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage and correlation analysis. The findings of the study indicated that the level of job performance for each of the extension personnel sampled was rated above average with a mean performance of 71.39. The correlation analysis result showed that there is a significant relationship between job performance and personality type of extension personnel of 0.411 at 0.01level of significance, with more of the extension personnel with ESFJ (Extroverted feeling with sensing) (29.82%) personality type followed by ISFJ (Introverted sensing with feeling) (19.3%) and ENFJ (Extroverted feeling with intuiting) (12.28), ENFP (Extroverted intuiting with feeling), ENTP (Extroverted intuiting with thinking), ESTJ (Extroverted thinking with sensing) with (8.8%). Findings also revealed that socio-demographic characteristics do not significantly affect job performance of extension personnel except experience which had a positive and significant correlation of 0.276 at 0.05level of significance. It is therefore recommended among others that a personality test be conducted during recruitment of personnel to ensure that personnel with the right personality are employed and a constant appraisal of extension personnel job performance to make sure that they are up and doing. Â

Effect of Personality Types of Extension Personnel on their Job Performance in Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme (RISADEP). Implications for Human Capacity Building

This research examines the Effect of Personality Types of Extension Personnel on their Job Performance in Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme (RISADEP). Specifically, the study describes the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, identifies the individual personality types of extension personnel in RISADEP, ascertains the job performance of extension personnel; determine whether a relationship exist between job performance and personality type of extension personnel and whether Socio-demographic characteristics affect job performance of extension personnel. Data collection was with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered to 63 extension personnel which was randomly selected from six area offices of which only 57 was useable for analysis. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage and correlation analysis. The findings of the study indicated that the level of job performance for each of the extension personnel sampled was rated above average with a mean performance of 71.39. The correlation analysis result showed that there is a significant relationship between job performance and personality type of extension personnel of 0.411 at 0.01level of significance, with more of the extension personnel with ESFJ (Extroverted feeling with sensing) (29.82%) personality type followed by ISFJ (Introverted sensing with feeling) (19.3%) and ENFJ (Extroverted feeling with intuiting) (12.28), ENFP (Extroverted intuiting with feeling), ENTP (Extroverted intuiting with thinking), ESTJ (Extroverted thinking with sensing) with (8.8%). Findings also revealed that socio-demographic characteristics do not significantly affect job performance of extension personnel except experience which had a positive and significant correlation of 0.276 at 0.05level of significance. It is therefore recommended among others that a personality test be conducted during recruitment of personnel to ensure that personnel with the right personality are employed and a constant appraisal of extension personnel job performance to make sure that they are up and doing. Â

Evaluation Of Farmers\' Extension Education Needs In Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area Of Imo State, Nigeria

The study evaluated farmers extension education needs in Ohaji/Egbema local government area of Imo State, Nigeria. Data for the study was collected with the aid of questionnaire and interview from 124 randomly selected farmers in the study area. Data analysis was with the use of frequencies, percentages and Pearson correlation. Findings showed that most respondents were married (77%) and less than 40 years and hence physically active for agricultural activities. Most of the respondents (77%) were formally educated and had farm sizes less than 1 hectare. A great percentage of the respondents earned between N5, 000($38.46) and N15, 000($115.38) per month from their farm work. Also, about 50% of the respondents had farming experience of between 2 and 7 years which is moderate. However, most respondents (51.6%) had between 1 and 2 contacts with extension which is not very encouraging. The major areas where respondents needed extension education include preventing crop diseases (79.0%), obtaining fertilizer (77.4%), fertilizer use (74.2%), improving yields of livestock (71.0%), preventing livestock diseases (67.7%), and improving skills in agriculture (62.9%). Most respondents obtain agricultural information from their friends (50%). The major factors that influenced respondents' extension education needs were age, farming experience and farm size. It is therefore recommended that adequate extension services be made available to farmers and adequate awareness campaigns launched need to be created about the importance of improved agricultural practices so that farmers can improve their production in both crop and livestock sub-sectors. Keywords: Extension education needs, Ohaji/Egbema local government area, Imo State, NigeriaJOAFSS Vol. 4 (1) 2006: pp. 60-6

Youths Participation in Farming Activities in Rural Areas of Imo State, Nigeria: implications for Extension

This study investigated youths participation in fanning activities in rural areas of lino stage, Nigeria Questionnaire was administered to 70 randomly selected respondents from six rural communities in the study area. Data were analysed using percentages, ranks and Pearson correlation. The results indicated that the youths participated in a wide range offarming activities, such as bush clearing, cultivation, planting, weeding, harvesting, among others. Also, significant relationship exists between the level ofparticipation and education (r = -0.274, P< 0.05),farming experience (r = 0.254, P< 0.05), andfarm size (r = 0.267, P< 0.05). Theparticipants perceived low capital outlay (71%) risk and uncertainty (67%), drudgery (66%), problem of land acquisition (61%), among others, as the nmjor problems that confront youths participation infarming activities in the study area. It iva.v reconunended, among others, that the youths should be given the right incentives by government to intensify their participation in farming activities. These include provision of soft loans, tractor hiring services, facilitating landacquisition, among others. The Extension Agency shouldalso help to organize the youths into co¬ operative groups to facilitate the above help. Also social amenities should be provided in the rural areas to encourage the youths to stay back and practice full-time and intensified agriculture in the present democratic dispensatio

Strengthening agricultural innovation systems in Nigeria

This study highlighted the relevance of agricultural innovation systems, challenges encountered by the organisations associated with these innovation systems and the various ways of strengthening the linkages among these organizations. Agricultural innovation systems such as commodity-based innovation system, intervention-based innovation system, research approach, processes and linkages were reviewed in this work. The relevance of agricultural innovation systems were basically to improve national food and nutrition security, and enhance agricultural productivity, competitiveness and linkages to markets. Some of the constraints encountered by most organizations involve with innovation development, emergence and usage include finance, electricity, transportion and customs, efficient custom procedures and inconsistent policies governing organizations in the study area. Some of the ways of strengthening agricultural innovation systems in the study area include effective linkage among organizations, engagement and collaboration between stakeholders, facilitating or brokering alliances, strong farmers organizations, involving private sectors and ensuring use of market driven approaches. Key words: network, organizations, agricultural innovation system