Knowledge Levels and Perceived Effect of Ecosystem Services and Valuation on Extension Delivery in North West Province, South America

A simple random sampling technique was used to select 100 extension officers in North West Province, South Africa. Data on knowledge levels and perceived effect of ecosystem services and valuation on extension deliverywere collected and analyzed using percentages. The results show that a wide range of knowledge levels exists on ecosystem services and valuationissues and that extension services should change from a generalist approach to a specialist approach; “extension messages should incorporate ecosystems service information”; extension agents would benefit from “increase[s] in extension research skill” and “use of multimedia strategy”; users require new skills; “extension officers need...new training” and “extension messages should address vulnerability of ecosystem services” in response to ecosystem services and valuation issues. The results have several implications for training and educating extension officers in the areas of ecosystem services used for tourism, hedonic pricing, and governance of ecosystem services

A TOBIT ANALYSIS OF PROPENSITY TO DISCONTINUE ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY AMONG FARMERS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

While much work has been done on the factors determining the adoption of agricultural technologies, little research has been conducted on the factors that predispose farmers to discontinue the adoption of innovation. Following a survey of arable crop farmers in two states of southwestern Nigeria, econometric analysis was conducted in order to identify variables significant in the farmers’ discontinuance behaviour. The variables included in the study are Attitude, Extension visit, Feedback provision, Marketability and Input availability. Tobit model was estimated on the data collected during the 2002 growing season. From the estimation, significant variables leading to discontinuance of improved maize and cowpea varieties were identified. Foremost among them is extension visits

Cocoa Farmers' Perception of the Effect of World Trade Organization's Standards on Production in Ondo State, Nigeria

The study examined the perception of cocoa farmers of the effect of the standards of the World Trade Organisation on cocoa production in Ondo State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select farmers in the area covered by the project and primary data were collected through the use of a structured questionnaire on the objectives of the study. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the socio-economic features of the farmers while the probit model was used to capture the perception of farmers of the standards of the World Trade Organisation. The result of the probit model shows that age (t = 3.49), land ownership (t = -4.14), knowledge of WTO (t = 3.61), coop as source of inputs (t = 1.96), open market as source of inputs (t = 2.99), input dealers as source of information (t = 4.72), friends as source of information (t = 2.59) and land acquisition methods (t = 1.88) are significantly related to the perception of farmers.Keywords: Cocoa farmers' perception, World Trade Organisation, Nigeria

Methanolic leaf extract of Ficus exasperata attenuates Arsenate–mediated hepatic and renal oxidative stress in rats

Objective: In furtherance of the scientific search for suitable antidotes for pro-oxidative toxicants which man is exposed to on daily basis, the study investigated the modulatory potential of Ficus exasperata leaf extract on arsenate-mediated hepatic and renal toxicity using rats as a model.Methodology: Twenty-eight rats were sorted into four groups containing seven rats each. Group A (control) received distilled water while 10 mg/kg bw of sodium arsenate was administered intraperitoneally to groups B, C and D to induce hepatic and renal damage. Group C and D were treated with oral administration of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw of methanolic leaf extract of Ficus exasperata respectively for 14 days.Results: Arsenate significantly (P< 0.05) induced hepatic and renal damage characterized by elevated levels of serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Arsenate also caused decreased serum concentrations of albumin, globulin and total protein as well as significant depletion in antioxidant status (glutathione–S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the liver and kidney of the rats. Administration of leaf extract of Ficus exasperata significantly (P<0.05) attenuated all these toxic effects by boosting antioxidants status and normalizing serum hepatic and renal markers.Conclusion: These results are indicative of the modulatory potential of Ficus exasperata leaf on liver and kidney dysfunction arising from oxidative damage.Keywords: Nephrotoxicity, Hepatotoxicity, Oxidative stress, Arsenate, Ficus exasperat

THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO’S) AND THEIR EFFECT ON HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA : SCIENTISTS’ PERCEPTION

The study was carried out in South Western Nigeria to evaluate the perception of scientists at Universities and Research Institutes on the effect of GMO’s on health and environment. It is proposed that scientists’ perception would influence the on-going debate as preclude to Nigeria being a signatory to the use of GMO’s. Using a simple random sampling technique, a total of one hundred and eighty respondents were selected from a population of 760 and then interviewed. Data were collected through the use of a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.92 and analysis was done using frequency counts, percentages and probit regression model. Scientists were between 31 and 40 years (59.40%), were MSC holders (44.44%), got their information on GMO’s from journals (89.60%) and were male (56.70%). Majority of the scientists had low awareness of the GMO’s products (52.8%), low perception (54.5 percent). There is significant relationship between awareness, age, religion, sources of information (radio, newspaper, scientific periodicals) and their perception toward GMOs. There is no significant difference in perception and awareness between scientists at Universities and research institutes

Extension officers’ perception towards accreditation and regulation of extension services in North West Province, South Africa

This paper examines extension officers’ perception towards accreditation and regulation of extension services. This is based on the premise that a pluralistic extension service delivery currently prevails in South Africa where public and private service providers exist with differentials in quality of services to clients; which can be overcome through accreditation of providers from end-users’ perspectives. Using a random sampling technique, 69 extension officers were sampled and a questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analysed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) using frequency counts, percentages and probit regression. Extension officers have high knowledge that accreditation aids periodic quality review (̅ = 1.81, SD = 0.49); improving quality of services (̅ = 3.91, SD = 1.26) and promotes accountability (̅ = 2.49, SD = 0.79). Significant determinants of the perception on accreditation are gender (t = 3.08; p < 0.05); marital status (t = -2.42; p < 0.05); number of children (t = 1.73; p < 0.05); household size (t =-2.03; p < 0.05); residence status (t = 1.78; p < 0.05); distance to clients (t =2.06; p < 0.05); and attitude to accreditation (t = 1.86; p < 0.05).Keywords: accreditation, agricultural extension service, information sources, farmers, service delivery, service provider

Attitude of agricultural professionals towards their wards taking agriculture as a career in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria

The paper examines the attitude of agricultural professionals towards their children or people under their care taking agriculture and agricultural extension as a career in Kwara State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from one hundred and eighty respondents. The findings revealed that the mean age of the agricultural professionals was 39 years. Majority (76.1%) were males, married (86.1%) with about an average of 5 wards each under their custody. Majority of the professionals were observed to have a negative and unfavourable attitude towards their wards taking agriculture as a career. Logistical regression modelling of determinants of agricultural professionals’ attitudes towards their wards taking agriculture as a career revealed that characteristics of professionals that were more likely to have a positive attitude towards their wards taking agriculture as a career include high numbers of wards, higher educational qualification and more years of experience in the agricultural profession. The study recommends an urgent need for agricultural professionals to rise up to the task of ensuring increased participation of youths especially beginning with their wards in taking up a career in agriculture and agricultural extension.Keywords: Agricultural Professionals, attitude, career, agricultural extensio

A TOBIT ANALYSIS OF PROPENSITY TO DISCONTINUE ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY AMONG FARMERS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

While much work has been done on the factors determining the adoption of agricultural technologies, little research has been conducted on the factors that predispose farmers to discontinue the adoption of innovation. Following a survey of arable crop farmers in two states of southwestern Nigeria, econometric analysis was conducted in order to identify variables significant in the farmers’ discontinuance behaviour. The variables included in the study are Attitude, Extension visit, Feedback provision, Marketability and Input availability. Tobit model was estimated on the data collected during the 2002 growing season. From the estimation, significant variables leading to discontinuance of improved maize and cowpea varieties were identified. Foremost among them is extension visits

CONSUMER WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR SAFETY LABELS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF POTASSIUM BROMATE IN BREAD

The study analysed consumer willingness to pay for safety labels in Nigeria by a case study of potassium bromate in bread” in Benin City, Edo State. It specifi cally investigates factors that promote willingness to pay for label among consumers of bread in Benin City, Edo State. Data used for the study were obtained through a well-structured questionnaire from 200 respondents. Both descriptive analytical methods and probit regression models were used for the analysis. The study revealed that 73% of the respondents are in their active working age with 50 percent of the respondent being male and female respectively. 67 percent of the respondents are married with 55 percent having an average of 5 members per household. 99 percent of the respondents are educated i.e. they have the capability of being able to read and write. Respondents purchased bread mainly from hawkers (60%) with about 60% of them being aware of the presence of bromate in bread. 40% of the consumers used labeling as a way of identifying bromate free bread. Other methods reported deal with differences in price of bread with same weight, aroma and taste. Result also revealed that 60% of the respondents got to know about the negative effect of bromate from news (both print and mass media). Econometric results show that variables like education, gender, income, prior knowledge of bromate and perception held by respondents of negative implications of bromate signifi cantly infl uence the willingness to pay for safety labels. Education, gender, income and prior knowledge of bromate positively infl uence the probability of consumers’ decision to pay for safety label, while price of bread and confi dence and perception held by respondents of negative implications of bromate on human health infl uence consumers willingness to pay more for safety labels. The study, thus, suggests a defi ned market for bread purchases, community based awareness programme and extension of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) role beyond media advertisement

CONSUMER WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR SAFETY LABELS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF POTASSIUM BROMATE IN BREAD

The study analysed consumer willingness to pay for safety labels in Nigeria by a case study of potassium bromate in bread” in Benin City, Edo State. It specifi cally investigates factors that promote willingness to pay for label among consumers of bread in Benin City, Edo State. Data used for the study were obtained through a well-structured questionnaire from 200 respondents. Both descriptive analytical methods and probit regression models were used for the analysis. The study revealed that 73% of the respondents are in their active working age with 50 percent of the respondent being male and female respectively. 67 percent of the respondents are married with 55 percent having an average of 5 members per household. 99 percent of the respondents are educated i.e. they have the capability of being able to read and write. Respondents purchased bread mainly from hawkers (60%) with about 60% of them being aware of the presence of bromate in bread. 40% of the consumers used labeling as a way of identifying bromate free bread. Other methods reported deal with differences in price of bread with same weight, aroma and taste. Result also revealed that 60% of the respondents got to know about the negative effect of bromate from news (both print and mass media). Econometric results show that variables like education, gender, income, prior knowledge of bromate and perception held by respondents of negative implications of bromate signifi cantly infl uence the willingness to pay for safety labels. Education, gender, income and prior knowledge of bromate positively infl uence the probability of consumers’ decision to pay for safety label, while price of bread and confi dence and perception held by respondents of negative implications of bromate on human health infl uence consumers willingness to pay more for safety labels. The study, thus, suggests a defi ned market for bread purchases, community based awareness programme and extension of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) role beyond media advertisement