Determinants of Farmers’ Participation Decision in Groundnut Commercialization: The Case of Babile District, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia (Published)
This study was conducted in Babile district to examine the determinants of farmers’ participation decision in groundnut commercialization. Cross sectional research design was used. Two stage random sampling procedures were used for the selection of 160 representative sample households. Number of sample size was determined from each 4 representative kebele after Yamane formula was used to determine the total sample size. Probability proportional to size was used to avoid under representation of any one group. Semi- structured interview schedule was used for gathering primary data. Descriptive statistics and probit model were used for data analysis. The probit model result reveals that age, education level, distance to the nearest market, land size, access to market information and non/off-farm income were significantly influence households’ participation decision in groundnut commercialization. The findings have an implication for all the concerned body and they should have to develop strategies to address the above-mentioned factors in order to improve smallholder farmers’ groundnut commercialization decision.
Keywords: Babile district, Farmers, commercialization decision, groundnut, probit model
Evaluation of Rural Households Practices For Climate-Smart Agriculture Technology In Zamfara State, Nigeria (Published)
This study assessed the Climate Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAP) adopted by arable crop farmers in adapting to climate change and environmental issues in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling techniques was used to select six local government areas in the state. Three hundred and fifty (350) farmers were randomly selected and administered questionnaire. Sets of standardized questionnaires survey and interview were used to elicit information on CSAP from the farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Total Factor Productivity (TFP), and Least Squares Regression (LSR). The analyzed results were presented on tables and charts. The results show that the prevalent CSAP adopted by the farmers were: cover cropping, application of organic manures, adoption of minimum tillage, practice of crop rotation with legumes, usage of mulching, application of inorganic fertilizers and planting of improved seed varieties. Results of the determinants of TFP estimate reveals that age (-1.328), education (0.427), farm size (0.41), organic fertilizer (0.48), access to extension services (0.342), cover cropping (0.023), inorganic fertilizer (.47), improved seed varieties (0.503), crop rotation with legumes (0.54), access to credit facilities (0.273) significantly contribute to productivity at different levels of significance in the study area. While age impacted negatively on productivity, all others impacted positively on productivity. The study concluded that CSAP had positive impacts on crop productivity. The study recommends the adoption of sustainable CSAT such as the use of organic and inorganic fertilizer, cover cropping, and the use of improved seed varieties; provision of agricultural credit facilities to the farmers and availability of extension workers in the study area.
Citation: Alhassan, Y.J, Sanchi, I.D, Ikpe, E., and Norbert, S. (2023) Evaluation of Rural Households Practices for Climate-Smart Agriculture Technology in Zamfara State, Nigeria, International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies, Vol.10, No.1, pp.47-59
Keywords: Climate Change, Farmers, Productivity, csap
Effects of Interest Rate on Access to Agro-credit by Farmers in Adamawa State, Nigeria (Published)
This study examined the effect of interest rates on access to agro-credit by farmers in Adamawa state. Respondents’ sources of credit, amount of credit obtained, factors affecting the volume of credit sourced by, factors affecting the volume of credit sourced by farmers, problems encountered in obtaining loans from formal and informal sources were investigated. Findings of the study reveals that majority of the farmers, 65% from Personal Savings. About 40% of the respondents obtained credit at the range of N100, 001-400,000. Regression analysis shows a co-efficient of multiple determination R2 value of 0.65 of the total variations in volume of credit sourced by farmers were accounted by actions of independent variables, namely; age, level of education, interest rate, credit awareness and farm income was statistically significant at various levels of probabilities.
Keywords: Access, Farmers, Interest, agro-credit
A Study On the Economic Impact of Infarm among the Farmers of Idukki District (Published)
Agriculture sector is the backbone of every human society. It is the foundation stone for the economic growth and development. Due to it’s higher inter-linkage effects no one can underrate it’s significance. Today agriculture is going through a tough period. The farmers find it very difficult to make their both ends meet. The distress of farmers is due to several factors like the changing nature of agriculture, economies of production, policies of the govt and the ongoing reforms in the country. The spate of suicides is considered a tragic manifestation of the deteriorating conditions of farmers. Farmer’s suicide in different parts of India has become a recurring phenomenon over the past one decade so. These represent the concrete expressions of farmer’s problems. The percentage of famer’s suicide is very high in Kerala, when compared to that of other Indian states. The crisis faced by an important section of the population need to be carefully analysed. Indian Farmers movement, popularly known as INFARM , is an organization of farmers in Kerala, came to an answer to the problems faced by the farmers. They addressed issues like higher cost of production, recurring price fall, low quality seeds and seedlings, debt trap of farmers etc. to a great extent.
Keywords: Farmers, Idukki, district, economic impact, infarm
Demonstration of Selected Improved Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) Varieties in Assosa Zone (Published)
The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the third most consumed crop globally behind rice and wheat and it is a versatile crop that can be cultivated in diverse environments. However, yield of potato is reduced due to lack of improved varieties, improper plant spacing and low soil fertility. The aim of this study is to demonstrate and create awareness for farmers about improved potato varieties and its production. The activity was conducted at Bambasi and Assosa Districts. Shonkolla, Belete and Guassa selected potato varieties were planted with the spacing of 75cm and 30cm between rows and plants respectively. Each potato varieties were planted on 10m by10m plot size. The highest yield was recorded by Shonkolla variety at Bambasi and Assosa Districts. Farmers were selected as first rank Shonkolla variety in terms of marketable tuber yield and total tuber yield. We conclude that Shonkolla potato variety is recommended for Assosa zone. In future recently released potato varieties should have to be evaluated in Assosa Zone.
Keywords: Farmers, Varieties, Zone, assosa, potato
Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Major Problems Faced by the Farmers in Adopting Brri Dhan29 in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh (Published)
The main purpose of this study was to determine the socio-demographic characteristics and major problems faced by the farmers in adopting BRRI dhan29 in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. The study was conducted with 90 farmers in three villages of Batiaghata union. The majority (50.00%) of the respondents were middle aged, 80.00% had primary level of education. The highest 46.67% had small farm size, 60.00% of medium income and 71.11% had poor training experience. The highest (80.00%) proportion of the respondents had medium innovativeness, 74.44% medium extension contact and 83.33% medium adoption of BRRI dhan29. Higher yield, availability of quality seed, and short duration variety was the 3rd, 4th, and 5th statement for the respondent’s perceived benefits of adopting BRRI dhan29 cultivation. Unable to tolerate salinity at matured time was the main important problem for the respondents and its Problem Confrontation Index (PCI) found 311.
Citation: Shamsun Nahar, and Md. Zulfiker Ali (2021) Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Major Problems Faced By the Farmers in Adopting Brri Dhan29 in the Coastal Areas Of Bangladesh, International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies, Vol.8, No.4, pp.36-52
Keywords: Adoption, BRRI dhan29, Coastal area, Farmers, Problems, socio-demographic
Evaluation of Communication Support Materials Used For Agricultural Development Projects in Selected States in North Central Nigeria (Published)
Food is indispensable for the survival of every human being and for Nigeria to move away from an oil dependent economy we need to invest in agriculture. One of the ways to boost food production and other agricultural products is through Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs). ADPs Extension agents in selected North Central States effectively used communication support materials to disseminate information to less schooled adult farmers on how to improve their farming techniques. Did the farmers understand them? How effective were these materials and of what value? It is based on this premise that the researcher evaluated communication support materials used for farmers in selected states in North Central Nigeria. The researcher adopted a survey design. The study population included all the states in North Central Nigeria: Benue, Kwara, Niger, Nassarawa, Plateau and Kogi. From these six states Benue, Nassarawa and Kwara States were selected through purposive sampling technique because they are the most agriculturally endowed states. The sample size of 1500 farmers were selected from the 973,380 farmers through a combination of systematic and proportional sampling techniques from the list of the registered farmers from the states. The breakdown is as follows: Benue State– 478,060, Kwara State – 313,983, and Nassarawa State – 180,433. The major instrument used was questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated through a pilot test on 20 people in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria while the reliability of the questionnaire was established through Cronbach Alpha Analysis. The score ranged from 0.70-0.772. The data was analyzed using frequency distribution, Cross tabulation, ANOVA and Linear regressing using SPSS Software version 20.0. The linear regression analysis of the hypothesis depicts that there is no significant effect between farmers lifestyle and usage of communication and support materials among respondents (P>.0.05). Findings revealed that, majority of respondents received extension training through leaflets. The result shows that out of 1356 respondents, 1116 (86.1%) agreed that extension agents attended training very often. The study concluded that majority of farmers in selected North Central States received extension training through communication support material. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that, extension agents should continue to use communication support materials for training farmers. However, they should ensure that these communication support materials are attractive, persuasive, easy to understand and acceptable by farmers. Furthermore, the State governments in North Central States should as a matter of priority inject more funds to the Agricultural Development Projects so as to enable the ADPs achieve their mandate of improving agricultural productivity and raising the income of small-scale farmers.
Keywords: Agricultural Development, Farmers, communication, extension
Assessment of Cultivation Practices of Wheat and Knowledge of Russian Wheat Aphid (Diuraphis Noxia), in Mokhotlong and Thaba Tseka Districts of Lesotho (Published)
Mokhotlong and Thaba Tseka districts are major wheat producing areas in Lesotho. However, wheat yield has been declining over the past years. The purpose of this study was to investigate farmers’ cultivation practices, knowledge and management of Russian wheat aphid as possible factors for the low yields of wheat, and the capacity of extension staff in assisting the farmers in wheat production in Mokhotlong and Thaba Tseka districts, Lesotho. Three focus group discussions organized with the help of local chiefs and extension staff members were conducted to collect qualitative data which was used to formulate structured questionnaires for the interview schedule. A total of 60 farmers and 31 extension staff were interviewed. Three factors were found to be the major determinants of low yields; farmers’ continued use of traditional cultivation methods, the use of recycled seed from a variety (Bolane) that was introduced in the early 60s in Lesotho and farmers and extension staff ignorance on the existence and impact of Russian wheat aphid in Mokhotlong and Thaba Tseka. The study recommend that research on Russian wheat aphid distribution, impact and resistance status of Bolane must be undertaken and the Ministry of Agriculture should capacitate extension staff and farmers though training and resource allocation to adopt improved cultivation practices.
Keywords: Bolane, Extension Staff, Farmers, Mokhotlong, Russian Wheat Aphid, Thaba Tseka
Socio-Economic Factors Influencing the use of Coping Strategy among Farmers and Herders Affected by Conflict at Giron Masa Village, Kebbi State, Nigeria (Published)
This study was conducted at Giron Masa village, located 30km from Yauri town. The study determines the Socio-economic Factors influencing the use of coping Strategy among Farmers and Herders during post-conflict situation. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred (100) respondents (50 farmers and 50 herders) from the study area. Logistic regression (LR) analysis was used to ascertain the socioeconomic variables that influenced the use of the coping strategy among the farmers and herders affected by conflict. The results of the study shows that age, income, family size and farming experience were significant and thus influenced the use of POCS among farmers. Annual income and production system influenced the use of Problem Oriented Coping Strategy (POCS) among herders. Age, farm size and farming experience were found to be significant in influencing the use of Emotion Oriented Coping Strategy (EOCS) among farmers. Specifically, years of herding experience increased the use of emotion oriented coping strategy among herders. The use of Social Support Coping Strategy (SSCS) among farmers was influenced by educational level; farm size and farming experience, while the variables are not collectively significant in influencing the use of SSCS among the herders. The research recommends the adoption of communal coping that entails the application of cooperative problem solving processes within the family and other social units dealing with stressful life events should be used as coping strategy in the event of farmer-herder conflict
Keywords: Conflict, Coping Strategy, Farmers, Herders
Utilization of Mass Media among Farmers in Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
The study analyzed the utilization of mass media by farmers in Ikwere local government area of Rivers state, Nigeria. Specifically, it identified the available mass media in the study area, ascertained the extent of use of these mass media, identified the perceived roles of mass media, assessed the perceived effectiveness of mass media and identified the factors that affect the use of mass media in the study area. A sample of 180 farmers was obtained using multistage sampling technique. Data were elicited from the farmers using a set of structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using percentage count, mean statistic and bar chart. Results show that the farmers were still in their active ages (M = 40 years) with majority (99.1%) of them receiving formal education. It was further revealed that television, radio and mobile phone were the most available mass media in the area
Keywords: Agricultural, Farmers, Ikwere LGS, Mass Media