Factors Influencing Participation Of Outgrowers In Certified Hybrid Maize Seed Production In Giwa Local Government Area Of Kaduna State And Its Policy Implication For Food Security

The study analyzed factors that influence farmer’s participation in hybrid maize seed production in the study area. A Logit analysis was used to analyze factors influencing farmer’s participation in hybrid maize seed production while T-test was used to analyze if there is difference in the mean yields of farmers growing hybrid seeds and those involved in local maize production. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from farmers based on the 2005 cropping season activities while on the spot observation data were also collected. Results of the Logit analysis has shown that age of farmers, educational qualification and expectation ofprompt payment by the contracting company were the factors that facilitate farmers’ participation in hybrid production in the area. Results have also shown that farmers that grow hybrid had yields that were significantly difference than those growing local varieties in the area. This is proof evidence that the hybrid maize technology with complementary packagesholds promise for helping in solving the problem of food insecurity in rural areas and the country at large if its production is supported and encouraged. There should therefore be a deliberate policy by government at all levels, non-governmental organizations and the international organization to support and encourage farmers to get involved in the production of hybrid maize as a better alternative to the local maize varieties

Socio-Economic Determinants of Insecticides Usage in Cowpea Production in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study investigates the socio-economic determinants of Insecticides use among cowpea farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 150 cowpea farmers who used insecticides in controlling pest in cowpea production in the study area. Information collected includes those of socio-economic characteristics of the famers and the quantity of insecticides they used. A regression model was used to estimate the relationship between farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and the insecticides use level. The study showed that family size, farm size level of education and years of farming experience were the major socio-economic determinants of insecticides use level among the cowpea farmers in the studied area. It was recommended that training and efforts to get farmers educated are intensified while strategies that will prevent migration of educated youths away from active areas of farming be put in place.Keywords: Cowpea, farmers, socio-economic, determinant, insecticidesJournal of Agriculture and Social Research (JASR) Vol. 11, No. 1, 201

Crop-livestock integration and food security among resource poor rural farmers in North-Western Nigeria an empirical study from Zamfara State

No Abstract. Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 5(1) 2006: 89-9

Analysis of factors facilitating the adoption of manure contract among rural farmers in Zamfara grazing reserve

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applies Sciences Vol. 13(1) 2007: pp. 39-4

Awareness Of HIV/AIDS Among Rural Communities In Kwara State And It’s Implications On Agricultural Productivity In Nigeria

This paper examined the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS among rural communities’ members of Kwara State. Structured questionnaire and Focus group discussion were employed to collect data from 417 membersof six selected communities. The people selected were male adult, female adults, male youths and female youths so that all the members of these communities were given opportunity to participate in the study.Simple statistical tools like mean, percentage and frequency tables were used to present the study. Results shows that about 46 percent of the respondents were illiterate and it was found that as much as about 75percent of them were ignorant about HIV/AIDS disease and its transmission. The study also revealed that about 83 percent of the respondents do not know signs of HIV/AIDS sickness. The study further revealed that only 8 percent of the respondents in all the sampled communities said they would not discriminate against people suffering from HIV/AIDS by eating or drinking with them while as much as 83 percent of the people in these communities do not have the knowledge of how to prevent themselves from contacting this disease. Thus the study painted a dismal state of awareness of HIV/AIDS in these communities and concluded that something has to be done and urgently too to prevent HIV/AIDS explosion in rural areas of Nigeria. Since proper and sufficient information dissemination in the best antidote for controlling this disease, it was therefore recommended that government at all levels must engage various apparatus at their disposal in collaboration with NGOs, traditional and religious institutions to facilitate efficient enlightenment of ruralpeople about HIV/AIDS, its transmission and prevention to enhance virile population for effective productivity and healthy livelihood

Food Insecurity: Challenges of Agricultural Extension in Developing Countries

The emphasis on accelerated agricultural development by developing countries was meant to achieve food security. However, food insecurity has remained a problem throughout much of the developing world and is the result of such factors as slow (as well as highly variable) growth in domestic food production, rapid population growth rates, limited financial capacity to import food and inadequate external assistance. Agricultural extension, on the other hand, plays an important role in development by assuring adequate and timely access by farmers to relevant advice, with appropriate incentives to adopt new technologies if it suits their socio-economic and agroecological circumstances. This paper discusses: the concepts of food security and food insecurity; the causes and consequences of food insecurity; the short-run and long-run measures for alleviating food insecurity; the strengths and weaknesses of some extension modalities; and the modifications to existing extension systems for the achievement of food security. The conclusions drawn are that: (a) improvements in nutritional standards and food security will involve not just a certain rate of agricultural growth, but reduction in population growth rates; and (b) modifications to extension services have the potential to improve agricultural productivity, increase farmers’ incomes, and improve food security

Impact Of Non-Governmental Organizations\' Activities In Creating Awareness And Changing Rural Communities\' Attitudes To Hiv/Aids Victims In Kaduna State, Nigeria

The study examines the impact of Non-Governmental Organizations\' (NGOs) intervention in creating awareness and changing the mindset of people in typical rural communities in Kaduna State towards victims of HIV/AIDS. Structured questionnaire were used to collect data from adult male and female as well as young male and female selected from 11 communities in Zango Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) where the NGOs have been working for the past four years. Results from data analyzed showed that there has been a considerable improvement in the level of awareness of the people of these communities on HIV/AIDS disease, its mode of transmission, knowledge of people suffering from the disease, its symptoms and prevention. It also showed that there is considerable reduction in people\'s negative perception that eating or drinking with HIV/AIDS patients could infect them, thereby reducing the incidence of discrimination and stigmatization against the victims. The results further revealed that the activities of the NGOs have empowered people in the communities economically. However, it was found that there were just marginal improvement in the peoples\' knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS and its prevention. The study therefore recommended that government should as a matter of policy join forces with these NGOs and other viable ones all over the country to ensure effective control of the disease. This would ensure healthy and productive citizenry for improved economic activities. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, NGOs, Awareness, Rural communities Kaduna State.Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 4 (1) 2008: pp. 61-7