Participatory Nature of Farmer Field School Extension Approach as Compared with other Approaches in Edo and Ondo States, Nigeria

The study compares FFS extension approach with other major participatory approaches practiced in Edo and Ondo States, Nigeria. By means of a well structured and validated questionnaire, data were collected from 145 FFS farmers who had also been exposed to other participatory approaches. Data collected were analysed using various statistical tools like means, standard deviation and analysis of variance.  The result shows that respondents perceived FFS as a better extension approach than any other extension approach. Respondents rated FFS higher than other approaches as they strongly agreed with all the statements that FFS has all the features of participatory extension (X = 4.51 to X = 4.95). On the other hand, Farming System Research was perceived by the respondents to slightly satisfy the features of participatory extension but FSR does not involve adult learning principles. Respondents did not perceive T & V and UAES to contain participatory extension approach as they disagreed with almost all the statements for the two extension approaches. The result of the analysis of variance indicates that there were significant differences among the four extension approaches (F = 3851 .513; P <0.05). A further analysis of the comparisons between the various extension approaches using Duncan Multiple Range Test shows that there was a significant difference between FFS and other extension approaches. It was concluded that FFS is more participatory and recommended among others that it be extended to all farmers. Keywords: Farmer field school, Participatory, Extension approach, compariso

Assessment of Level of Information Transfer by Farmer Field School Graduate Cocoa Farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria

The study assessed level of information transfer from cocoa FFS farmers to other cocoa farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the FFS graduate farmers in Ondo State; examine the percentage of FFS who were involved in transfer of information to other farmers, and determine the nature of information shared with other farmers. A multistage sampling   procedure was used in selecting 77 FFS graduate farmers for the study. Descriptive statistics used included frequency counts and percentages while the logit regression was used to test for the relationship between socio-economic characteristics of respondents and their level of knowledge transfer. The results of the study indicated that 75 FFS farmers (97.4%) were able to transfer information received on several aspects of cocoa cultivation with other cocoa farmers. From the logit regression result, educational level, farming experience and gender were positively and significantly related to information transfer abilities of the FFS farmers. It was concluded among others that FFS facilitators should continue to strengthen their ties with the FFS graduate farmers and to encourage them the more in sharing information with other farmers. Keywords: Information Transfer, Farmer Field School, Logit Regression, Ondo State

Small scale banana farmers’ awareness level and adoption of improved banana varieties in Delta state, Nigeria

The general objective of the study was to determine smallscale banana farmers’ access to and adoption of improved planting materials in Delta State, Nigeria. Over the last two decades banana production in Nigeria has been on the decline. It was against this background that this research was carried out to assess the awareness of and use of improved planting materials by small scale farmers in Delta state. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a total of two hundred and forty (240) banana farmers for the study. A well-structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Descriptive statistics and binary logit regression were employed for data analyses. The results show that although majority of the farmers (96.67%) were aware of and had access to improved banana varieties, only 15.83% of them adopted the use of improved planting materials. Gros mitchel, Cavendish and sweet bananas were the major sources of improved banana varieties. The result further indicated that several constraints like cost of obtaining planting material (X= 4.80), climatic factors (X= 4.78), biological factors (X=4.60), palatability of the local cultivars over improved ones (X= 4.59), poor soil conditions (X =4.46) and socio-economic characteristics of the farmers(X = 4.11) as militating against the adoption of improved banana varieties. The study concluded that the adoption level of improved banana was low and recommended, among others, that major constraints hindering the small scale farmers from adoption of improved banana for planting should be addressed.Key words: small scale, banana farmer, adoption, improved, Delta stat

Competency Level and Training Needs of Poultry (Layers) Farm Attendants in Delta State, Nigeria

The study investigates the competency level of poultry layer farm attendants in Delta state, Nigeria. The specificobjectives of the study are to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, determine thecompetency level of poultry farmers in various aspects of management and to identify the areas where poultryfarmers need training. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to compose a sample size of 225 respondents.The instruments for primary data collection also included a four point Likert-type scale with values: 1= notcompetent, 2= little competence, 3= competent and 4=very competent. Descriptive and inferential statisticalmethods were used in data analysis. Results were presented using tables and simple percentages. The resultsshowed that the attendants were competent in only three of the twelve tasks examined. The attendants werecompetent in these tasks: care of poultry equipment (mean = 4.48), identification of sick birds for culling (mean= 4.46) and identification of poultry breeds (mean = 4.90). Thus the poultry farm attendants were incompetentgenerally speaking. It was therefore strongly recommended that training workshop on the other nine tasks beorganized to train the poultry farm attendants in Delta State in order to improve their level of competent.Keywords: competency, training needs, attendants, poultry farm, Delta stat

Economics of cassava farmers’ adoption of improved varieties in Isoko north LGA, Delta state

The study investigated the economics of cassava farmers’ adoption of improved varieties in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State. Studies on the economic analysis of farmers adoption of improved cassava varieties in the study area is lacking. This therefore constitutes a research gap which must be investigated. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; determine the respondents’ level of awareness of improved cassava; assess the percentage of farmers who adopt the use improved cassava varieties; identify the constraints militating against the adoption of the improved cassava varieties in Isoko North local government area; and to determine the benefits level of cassava farmers. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to compose a sample size of 175 respondents. Various descriptive statistics such as means, frequency counts, standard deviation and percentages, and inferential statistics (t-tests and binary logit regression) were used for data analysis. The results of the study indicated that all the cassava farmers were aware of the existence of improved cassava varieties, however, only 90.29% of the respondents adopted. Respondents agreed that high cost of planting material (X= 4.80), ineffective Extension delivery (X= 4.78), Agronomic problems (X=4.70), shortage of planting materials (X= 4.53), Land degradation (X =4.12) and poor access to market by farmers (X = 3.89) were serious constraints to adoption. The t-test result showed that there were significant differences between adopters and non-adopters in all the economic variables tested. The result of the logit regression indicated that educational level, age, farm size and household size were significantly related to adoption by respondents. From the finding of the study, it was concluded that adoption of improved cassava varieties for planting is economically beneficial to cassava farmers in the study area and recommended, among others, that extension institutions in the area should intensify efforts to ensure that all farmers adopt improved cassava cuttings for planting.Key words: Cassava farmers, economic benefit, adoption, regression, improved varieties,constraint, statistic

Analysis of Beef Marketing in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria

This study examined the marketing of beef in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. The specific objectives of this study were to: describe the socio economic characteristics of beef marketers, determine the profitability of beef marketing in the study area, examine the factors affecting marketing margin of beef. Twenty (20) sellers were randomly selected from each of the five markets randomly composed in Oshimili South local government area of Delta State. The markets selected were Ogbeogonogo, Cable point, Okwe. Abraka, and Oko. Well-structured and validated questionnaires were administrated to get information from beef sellers. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the social economic characteristics of beef marketers in the various markets; the profit function (estimated by gross margin since fixed cost was negligible)  was used to determine the profitability of beef market and regression analysis was used to determine the factors affecting marketing margin of beef. The results showed that the marking of beef in the area was profitable. The result further showed that cost of purchase, cost of transportation, packaging and middlemen profit had significant effects on marketing margin of beef in the study area. From the findings, it is recommended among others, that government should site more abattoirs close to major beef markets to reduce transportation cost and consumer price. Keywords: Beef marketing, Profitability, Profit function, marketing margin, Oshimili South, 

Profitability Analysis of Yam Production in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

The study evaluates the profitability of yam production in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: ascertain the socio-economic characteristics of yam producers; determine the productivity of yam; determine the profitability of yam production; and identify the major constraints to the production of yam. Twenty four farmers were randomly selected from each of the five clans randomly selected, thus bringing the sample size to 120. Well-structured and validated questionnaires were administered to obtain information from the farmers. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the productivity of yam output. Gross margin analysis was used to determine the profitability of yam production. The t-test results showed that the profit level in the production of yam was significantly greater than zero. Lack of credit, inadequate preservation facilities, inadequate or low patronage by wholesalers and low price of yam are the major constraints facing yam producers in the study area. From the findings, it was recommended that Government should ease transportation and provide storage facilities so as to improve the welfare of both sellers and buyers. Keywords: Profitability, production, gross margin, constraint, Delta State

Management of Cocoa Black Pod Disease by Farmers in Edo State, Nigeria: The Role of Farmer Field School

The specific objectives of the study were to find the contribution of FFS training in control of the disease; examine the role of FFS in improving farmers’ competency in management of black pod disease, and determine the proportion of farmers that benefited from FFS training on management of black pod disease. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 76 FFS farmers and 74 other farmers, and various descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyze data. The results showed that FFS played a major role in improving FFS farmers’ competency in the management of black pod disease. The t-tests conducted showed significant differences in knowledge between FFS farmers and other farmers

Rural Folks Perception of Suicide Drivers in rural communities of Delta State, Nigeria: Implications for Societal and Agricultural Security

The study examined rural folks’ perception of suicide drivers in rural communities of Delta state, Nigeria and the resultant implications for societal and agricultural security. The objectives of the study are to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, ascertain the perceived suicide rates in rural households; identify the main causes (or drivers) of suicide in rural communities, ascertain the means of committing suicide, and determine respondents’ perception of the effect of suicide on agricultural production and their families. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used in composing 351 respondents who furnished information on suicide situation in the study area. Results indicated some cases of suicide in the area; several perceived suicide drivers were identified by the respondents, and the respondents identified some perceived deleterious effects of suicide as illness among family members, depression of surviving members, loss of income and output of agricultural production and scattering of family of suicide victim. Logistic regression of relationship between perceived social economic characteristics and suicidal death indicated that marital status, education, family size, family income, membership of association and extension contact were significant in preventing suicide. From the findings, it was recommended that all stakeholders including the government, private sector, religion organizations, health and welfare institutions, rural communities, and individuals have crucial role to play in curbing suicidal deaths in rural communities

Management of Cocoa Black Pod Disease by Farmers in Edo State, Nigeria: The Role of Farmer Field School

The specific objectives of the study were to find the contribution of FFS training in control of the disease; examine the role of FFS in improving farmers’ competency in management of black pod disease, and determine the proportion of farmers that benefited from FFS training on management of black pod disease. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 76 FFS farmers and 74 other farmers, and various descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyze data. The results showed that FFS played a major role in improving FFS farmers’ competency in the management of black pod disease. The t-tests conducted showed significant differences in knowledge between FFS farmers and other farmers