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

Impact of Information and Communication Technologies (Icts) On Agricultural Productivity among Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from Sub-Saharan African Communities (Published)

The study was carried out to assess the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) among smallholder farmers in Northern Nigeria during October 2015 and September 2016 cropping season.  Data were collected with structured questionnaires distributed to 200 smallholder farmers. The study used a multiple stage random sampling procedure to select farming household.  Likert type scales were used to analyze the data.  The main aim of the study was to find out the impact of ICTs on the agricultural productivity and welfare of the respondents.  The t-test result revealed that ICT Services Short Message (SMS text reminders) had positive and significant impact (P<0.001**) on the agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers.  The findings showed that 52% of the respondents experienced rapid increases in their crops productivity; and improved standard of living of the farmer as a result of the ICT Services Short Message (SMS text reminders).  In addition, a large proportion (92%) of the respondents revealed that ICT Services Short Message (SMS text reminders) are beneficial to them.  The results also revealed that radio, mobile phone and television among others were the most available ICT devices to the smallholder farmers in the area.  However, the results obtained showed that radio and mobile phone were the most readily available ICT device with 97% and 85.8% respectively.  The study however recommended that the Federal Government should create an enabling environment towards improved rural infrastructure and access to internet and other mobile communication technologies for rural people which would improve the overall use of ICT facilities.  In addition, the Nigerian Government should establish ICT training centers in all the rural areas and educate farmers on the benefits of ICTs.  Lastly, the study also suggested that there is a need for the development of ICT skills among agricultural extension workers and farmers in rural Nigeria

Keywords: Mobile Phone, Productivity, Radio, SMS text reminder, smallholders

Concerns on Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security in East Africa (Published)

This is a paper review of work presented at the Machakos University second International Conference in Kenya. Using library research and reflection, document and content analysis were used to generate data, The East African region covered in the paper is that of the six countries set up as the East African Community in 2000. Their economies are reliant on agriculture with low agricultural productivity demonstrating some inabilities in poverty reduction as the majority of the farmers are smallholder farmers engaging mostly women labor. Food and nutrition security are not assured. The agricultural commodities for exports are not so competitive because of the low agricultural value chain with little value addition. The countries are sliding into being net importers of food despite having a huge potential for agriculture and the natural resources possessed. A green revolution, alignment of research and value addition of agricultural commodities including better infrastructure and markets will better their economies.

Keywords: Agriculture, Community, Productivity, Value addition, food and nutrition security

Assessment of Technology Adoption in Maize Production by Small Scale Farmers: Case of Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, Baringo County, Kenya (Published)

Maize is one stable food grownall over Kenya including Perkerra Irrigation Scheme. However, over the years, its production has been on decline due to many challenges including; decrease in land as result of increase in population, loss of soil fertility, use outdated technologies which in return would sustain or increase production. Despite the availability of these technologies, small scale farmers in Perkerra irrigation scheme had not yet adopted them. The purpose of study was to determine the influence of the extension services, access and utilization of available information on modern techniques and social economic factors hindering the adoption. The study targeted 798 farmers from Loropil, Ng’oswe,Ng’ambo and Labos. Multi stage sampling was applied to draw a total of 100 participants. Data was collected by the use of questionnaires which applied both closed and open ended questions. Data was analyzed by the use of Multiple Linear Regression method so as to get the coefficients of the independent variables and the importance on the adoption of technology. Spearman’s method was also used to determine the correlation coefficient. The results showed that 53% and 43 % of the respondents were males and females respectively. 47% whose education level was 57% attained primary level. Social economic factors were significant in determining the level of technology adoption at 95% level of significance and it had a p-value of 0.03 and hence statistically important. Most farmers (58%) received extension services from the Kenya Seed Company. Radio and public assembly (Baraza) was the main source of information. Based on these findings, both the county and national government should employ more extension officers and ensure subsidization of the basic farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers.

Keywords: Adoption, Productivity, Technology

Effect of Crop Intensification Program on Maize Production in Nyagatare, Rwanda (Published)

This study was conducted in Nyagatare district located in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Its objective was to assess the effect of the Crop Intensification program (CIP) on maize production in Nyagatare district.   Improved seeds, Inorganic fertilizers, Extension services and Land Use Consolidation were the major variables for consideration in this study and assessment was made as to the contribution they made to maize production in CIP in the study area .  The study focused on 24 cooperatives with 97 respondents. It used qualitative approaches to generate the opinion of respondents where data was not readily available and also quantitative methods where both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data was collected using questionnaires from random sample of 97 farmers, and it considered the socio-economic characteristics of farmers while Secondary data was collected from different sources, like Ministry of Agriculture, District offices, Agriculture Sector working Group (ASWG) reports , books, reports and internet.. The research used correlation and regression techniques  Research findings revealed that youth and educated people’s engagement in agricultural activities  is minimal, that Extension services has not influenced maize production significantly and also that men constitute a bigger proportion of the agriculture work force than women  creating a gender gap in the sector. Improved seeds influence significantly maize production more than other independent variables in this study

Keywords: Agricultural inputs, Agro-dealers, Cooperatives, Crop Intensification program, Extension services, Land Use Consolidation, Production, Productivity

Effect of Crop Intensification Program on Maize Production in Nyagatare, Rwanda. (Published)

This study was conducted in Nyagatare district located in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Its objective was to assess the effect of the Crop Intensification program (CIP) on maize production in Nyagatare district.   Improved seeds, Inorganic fertilizers, Extension services and Land Use Consolidation were the major variables for consideration in this study and assessment was made as to the contribution they made to maize production in CIP in the study area .  The study focused on 24 cooperatives with 97 respondents. It used qualitative approaches to generate the opinion of respondents where data was not readily available and also quantitative methods where both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data was collected using questionnaires from random sample of 97 farmers, and it considered the socio-economic characteristics of farmers while Secondary data was collected from different sources, like Ministry of Agriculture, District offices, Agriculture Sector working Group (ASWG) reports , books, reports and internet.. The research used correlation and regression techniques  Research findings revealed that youth and educated people’s engagement in agricultural activities  is minimal, that Extension services has not influenced maize production significantly and also that men constitute a bigger proportion of the agriculture work force than women  creating a gender gap in the sector. Improved seeds influence significantly maize production more than other independent variables in this study .

Keywords: Agricultural inputs, Agro-dealers, Cooperatives, Crop Intensification program, Extension services, Land Use Consolidation, Production, Productivity