This document reviews the information needs of rice farmers in Nigeria. It discusses the concept of information needs and assesses the specific information needs of rice farmers, including improved rice varieties, farming techniques, and marketing information. The document also covers rice farmers' access to information sources and constraints they face in obtaining relevant information. Recommendations include adult education programs for farmers and using information and communication technologies to better deliver agricultural information to rice farmers.
Analysis of Land Use Efficiency among Women Cassava Farmers in South-West Nig...Premier Publishers
This study analyzed land use efficiency among women cassava farmers in Southwest Nigeria. A survey was conducted of 300 female cassava farmers across 4 local government areas in Ogun and Ondo states. Heckman probit and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models were used to analyze the data. Heckman probit found that farm size, primary occupation, income, number of dependents, proximity to processing industry and social group positively influenced access to land, while cassava output, access to extension, household size and proximity to market negatively influenced access. DEA showed that 12.8% of land-secured farmers were technically efficient, compared to 3.74% of non-land secured farmers, and mean efficiencies
Determinants of Agricultural Innovations Adoption among Cooperative and Non C...ijtsrd
This study examined the determinants of agricultural innovations adoption among cooperative and non cooperative farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. The research design used in this study is descriptive survey research design. The area of study was Imo State, and data were gotten from the three zones, namely, Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe. Data were generated from a total population of 1184 registered cooperatives and non cooperative farmers. Using Taro Yamane formula, a total of 464 respondents were selected from both cooperative and non cooperative farmers. Questionnaire was the instrument of data collection. Descriptive statistics and one way Analysis of Variance ANOVA were employed to address the research questions and to test the promulgated hypothesis. The findings revealed that important determinant of adoption include educational level, annual income, farm experience, frequency of contact, cooperative membership, price of the produce, type of media used, government policy, availability of success stories, frequency of training, attitude to novel ideas, household size, extent of livelihood diversification, availability of markets and parents occupation. Determinants of agricultural innovation adoption were also the same for cooperative and non cooperative farmers. Based on the findings made in the study, the study recommends that cooperative extension services need to be revolutionalized and given adequate attention. This can be achieved by developing new framework for cooperative extension and forging a common ground for both cooperative and agricultural extension work. Apart from recruitment and deployment of competent and well motivated staff, there is the need for provision of work gadget and work tools that are in tune with technological changes. Supervision and retraining of extension staff should also become a priority. Michael, Maureen Chinenye | Ojiagu, Nkechi Cordelia | Umebali, E. Emmanuel "Determinants of Agricultural Innovations Adoption among Cooperative and Non-Cooperative Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-4 | Issue-3 , April 2020, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd30329.pdf Paper Url :https://www.ijtsrd.com/engineering/agricultural-engineering/30329/determinants-of-agricultural-innovations-adoption-among-cooperative-and-noncooperative-farmers-in-imo-state-nigeria/michael-maureen-chinenye
Relationship between Farmers’ Participation in Technology Development and Dis...Premier Publishers
Improved sugarcane varieties have been developed and promoted in Kenya, to enhance sugarcane productivity. However, their acceptance by farmers is low. This paper investigates this phenomenon in attempt to underpin contributing factors to low acceptance. It examines the relationship between farmers’ participation in technology development and dissemination processes; and acceptability of improved sugarcane varieties in Kakamega County. This study used cross-sectional survey research design. Target population was 137,355 small-scale sugarcane farmers from Kakamega County, from which a sample of 384 farmers was randomly selected. Questionnaires were used to collect data, which was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established limited participation of sugarcane farmers in the development and dissemination of improved sugarcane varieties. Significant relationships were established between farmers’ participation in the development and dissemination of improved sugarcane varieties with their acceptability by farmers. The number of year’s farmers had produced these varieties was found to be a strong indicator of their acceptability by farmers. Research findings indicate need to avail necessary information about the improved varieties to farmers by the extension service providers. Utilization of farmer Participatory Technology Development and Dissemination approaches need to be enhanced in the development and dissemination of improved sugarcane technologies.
An analysis of economic efficiency in bean production evidence from eastern u...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study that analyzed economic efficiency among bean farmers in Eastern Uganda. The study used a stochastic frontier cost function and Tobit regression model based on a survey of 580 households. The key findings were:
1) The mean economic efficiency level among bean farmers was 59.94%, indicating room for improvement.
2) Economic efficiency was positively influenced by factors such as value of assets, off-farm income, access to credit, and farming as the primary occupation.
3) To increase efficiency and productivity, the study recommends training farmers in business skills, and improving access to affordable credit through group lending models.
Determinant of income from pineapple production in imo state, nigeriaAlexander Decker
This document summarizes a study on the determinants of income from pineapple production in Imo State, Nigeria. 120 pineapple farmers were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Key findings include:
- The average age of farmers was 47 years, most had secondary education, and the average household size was 5.68 people.
- The average farm income was 81,810 Naira ($545) per year. The average farm size was 1.41 hectares.
- Regression analysis found that household size, farm income, extension services, education, farm size, and cooperative membership significantly influenced income levels.
- Farmers cited inadequate capital, storage, and processing facilities as key challenges to pineapple production. The
Analysis of Land Use Efficiency among Women Cassava Farmers in South-West Nig...Premier Publishers
This study analyzed land use efficiency among women cassava farmers in Southwest Nigeria. A survey was conducted of 300 female cassava farmers across 4 local government areas in Ogun and Ondo states. Heckman probit and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models were used to analyze the data. Heckman probit found that farm size, primary occupation, income, number of dependents, proximity to processing industry and social group positively influenced access to land, while cassava output, access to extension, household size and proximity to market negatively influenced access. DEA showed that 12.8% of land-secured farmers were technically efficient, compared to 3.74% of non-land secured farmers, and mean efficiencies
Determinants of Agricultural Innovations Adoption among Cooperative and Non C...ijtsrd
This study examined the determinants of agricultural innovations adoption among cooperative and non cooperative farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. The research design used in this study is descriptive survey research design. The area of study was Imo State, and data were gotten from the three zones, namely, Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe. Data were generated from a total population of 1184 registered cooperatives and non cooperative farmers. Using Taro Yamane formula, a total of 464 respondents were selected from both cooperative and non cooperative farmers. Questionnaire was the instrument of data collection. Descriptive statistics and one way Analysis of Variance ANOVA were employed to address the research questions and to test the promulgated hypothesis. The findings revealed that important determinant of adoption include educational level, annual income, farm experience, frequency of contact, cooperative membership, price of the produce, type of media used, government policy, availability of success stories, frequency of training, attitude to novel ideas, household size, extent of livelihood diversification, availability of markets and parents occupation. Determinants of agricultural innovation adoption were also the same for cooperative and non cooperative farmers. Based on the findings made in the study, the study recommends that cooperative extension services need to be revolutionalized and given adequate attention. This can be achieved by developing new framework for cooperative extension and forging a common ground for both cooperative and agricultural extension work. Apart from recruitment and deployment of competent and well motivated staff, there is the need for provision of work gadget and work tools that are in tune with technological changes. Supervision and retraining of extension staff should also become a priority. Michael, Maureen Chinenye | Ojiagu, Nkechi Cordelia | Umebali, E. Emmanuel "Determinants of Agricultural Innovations Adoption among Cooperative and Non-Cooperative Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-4 | Issue-3 , April 2020, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd30329.pdf Paper Url :https://www.ijtsrd.com/engineering/agricultural-engineering/30329/determinants-of-agricultural-innovations-adoption-among-cooperative-and-noncooperative-farmers-in-imo-state-nigeria/michael-maureen-chinenye
Relationship between Farmers’ Participation in Technology Development and Dis...Premier Publishers
Improved sugarcane varieties have been developed and promoted in Kenya, to enhance sugarcane productivity. However, their acceptance by farmers is low. This paper investigates this phenomenon in attempt to underpin contributing factors to low acceptance. It examines the relationship between farmers’ participation in technology development and dissemination processes; and acceptability of improved sugarcane varieties in Kakamega County. This study used cross-sectional survey research design. Target population was 137,355 small-scale sugarcane farmers from Kakamega County, from which a sample of 384 farmers was randomly selected. Questionnaires were used to collect data, which was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established limited participation of sugarcane farmers in the development and dissemination of improved sugarcane varieties. Significant relationships were established between farmers’ participation in the development and dissemination of improved sugarcane varieties with their acceptability by farmers. The number of year’s farmers had produced these varieties was found to be a strong indicator of their acceptability by farmers. Research findings indicate need to avail necessary information about the improved varieties to farmers by the extension service providers. Utilization of farmer Participatory Technology Development and Dissemination approaches need to be enhanced in the development and dissemination of improved sugarcane technologies.
An analysis of economic efficiency in bean production evidence from eastern u...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study that analyzed economic efficiency among bean farmers in Eastern Uganda. The study used a stochastic frontier cost function and Tobit regression model based on a survey of 580 households. The key findings were:
1) The mean economic efficiency level among bean farmers was 59.94%, indicating room for improvement.
2) Economic efficiency was positively influenced by factors such as value of assets, off-farm income, access to credit, and farming as the primary occupation.
3) To increase efficiency and productivity, the study recommends training farmers in business skills, and improving access to affordable credit through group lending models.
Determinant of income from pineapple production in imo state, nigeriaAlexander Decker
This document summarizes a study on the determinants of income from pineapple production in Imo State, Nigeria. 120 pineapple farmers were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Key findings include:
- The average age of farmers was 47 years, most had secondary education, and the average household size was 5.68 people.
- The average farm income was 81,810 Naira ($545) per year. The average farm size was 1.41 hectares.
- Regression analysis found that household size, farm income, extension services, education, farm size, and cooperative membership significantly influenced income levels.
- Farmers cited inadequate capital, storage, and processing facilities as key challenges to pineapple production. The
Factors Influencing Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technologies (IATs) amo...Premier Publishers
The study examined factors influencing adoption of improved agricultural technologies (IATs) among smallholder farmers in rural communities of Kaduna State.The study was conducted in Giwa and Sabon-gari Local Government Areas. Three objectives guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select the farming communities for the study. Two rural communities (Bassawa and Shika) were purposely selected out of 16 villages primarily because of their age-long agricultural technologies. The sample size of the study was 200 smallholder farmers made up of 100 farmers from each of the communities which were purposively selected. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule, focus group discussion and in-depth interview while the secondary data which relate to the objectives of the study were collected from the office of the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Project (ADP) and National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), ABU, Zaria. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentages. Results from the findings of the study revealed a positive significant (p<0.05) influence on adoption of agricultural technology and farmers’ educational levels, gender and age also had a positive significant influence on the adoption of technology. Therefore, the following recommendations were made: there is need to increase farmers’ capital and credit facilities and make funds accessible to the farmers. Also, it is therefore imperative for Government to ensure that policies that support the adoption of improved agricultural technologies are put in place.
Lecturers’ Perception on Agriculture Mechanization in Rivers State, NigeriaAI Publications
The study investigated lecturers’ perception on agricultural mechanization in Rivers state, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, four research questions which sought the information regarding benefits, awareness, challenges and solutions guided the study. Population of the study comprises 360 lecturers from three tertiary institutions in Rivers state. Data collection was achieved using a questionnaire comprising 32 items and rated on a five point likert scale. Mean was used for data analysis. For results, regarding benefits, the respondents agreed that agricultural mechanization boosts food production but disagree that it boosts employment of labour. For awareness, lecturers were generally aware of mechanization in agriculture. For challenges, they perceived lack of skills to use mechanized farm equipment as one challenge to mechanization. They perceived that favourable government policies could enhance agricultural mechanization. The study recommend that awareness on agricultural mechanization should be created and government set up agricultural machinery industries for developing and hiring out mechanized farm tools at subsidized rates to farmers.
This document analyzes the information needs of agricultural extension agents in rural Ghana. It discusses how access to relevant and timely information is crucial for extension agents to effectively disseminate information to small-scale farmers and help increase agricultural production. The study assessed the information needs of 130 extension agents across eight districts of northern Ghana. It found that major gaps exist in the extension agents' knowledge of technical and legal information needed by farmers, hindering improvements in productivity. The document recommends that extension agent training include computer literacy to improve their access to internet resources and agricultural information.
Towards Indian Agricultural Information: A Need Based Information Flow Modelinventionjournals
Information is crucial for agriculture and rural development. ICT based services in agriculture is gaining importance day by day. Paper proposes to study the nature of agricultural information its uniqueness and problems of handling and organization. Agri informatics and use of different web portals for agriculture also discussed. Paper also highlighted the ICAR and IARIs contribution towards development of NARS (National Agricultural Research System) and models showing Information flow and strategic plan for organization of agricultural information. Some recommendations for proper organization and dissemination of agricultural information have been made to reach grass root level with desired agricultural information.
Strategies to Enhance Youths’ Involvement in Agricultural Production Enterpri...AI Publications
This document summarizes a study that aimed to determine strategies to enhance youth involvement in agricultural production enterprises in Benue State, Nigeria. The study identified factors inhibiting youth participation and proposed strategies to enhance participation. A questionnaire was administered to 258 youths and 142 agricultural extension agents. The results showed that all 13 items surveyed were inhibiting factors, and all 17 proposed strategies were accepted as ways to enhance youth participation in agricultural enterprises, such as providing loans and linking agriculture to social media. The study recommended mentoring and encouraging youths through various strategies to boost involvement in agricultural production and employment.
The law of demand expresses the functional relationship between price and quantity demanded.
Assumption of ‘ Ceteris Paribus’. A hypothetical assumption
If price of a commodity falls, the quantity demanded of it will rise and vice versa.
Inverse relationship between price and quantity
Other factors also play an important role.
Real world variables.
The indifference curve analysis has also been used to explain producer’s equilibrium, the problems of exchange, rationing, taxation, supply of labour, welfare economics and a host of other problems. Some of the important problems are explained below with the help of this technique.
(1) The Problem of Exchange:
With the help of indifference curve technique the problem of exchange between two individuals can be discussed. We take two consumers A and В who possess two goods X and Y in fixed quantities respectively. The problem is how can they exchange the goods possessed by each other. This can be solved by constructing an Edgeworth-Bowley box diagram on the basis of their preference maps and the given supplies of goods.
Effect of farmer education and managerial ability on food cropAlexander Decker
This document discusses a study that examined the effect of farmer education and managerial ability on the technical efficiency of food crop production in Nigeria. The study used survey data from 150 farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Stochastic frontier production analysis was used to estimate farmers' technical efficiency levels, which ranged from 84.4% to 99.4% with a mean of 94.3%, indicating some room for improved efficiency. The results showed that education level and age contributed to higher efficiency. The study concluded that improving farmer education could increase efficiency and food security in Nigeria.
Determinants of Farmers’ Adoption of Agricultural Development Programme Exten...BRNSS Publication Hub
The study analyzed the determinants of farmers’ adoption of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP)
extension technology packages in Ivo L.G.A of Ebonyi State. Multistage sampling procedure was employed
to select 80 farmers and eight extension agents who formed the respondents for the study. Data were
collected through the aid of questionnaire and interview schedule whereas the analysis was done using
descriptive and inferential statistics suiting each specific objective. The result showed that most of the
farmers (82.50%) and extension agents (75%) were males, respectively. Evidence showed that the mean age
of the farmers was 37 years while the mean age of the extension agents was 44 years. It was obvious that
67.50% and 75% of the farmers and extension agents were, respectively, married. The mean annual income
of the farmers and extension agents was ₦98,070 and ₦504,200, respectively. The result showed further
that about 81.9% change in the dependent variable (adoption of extension technology packages) was caused
by variations of socio-economic characteristics included in the regression model. The following were the
research recommendations; educational facilities should be made available for rural farmers to enhance
easy adoption of ADP extension technology packages to enhance production; government and NGOs should
endeavor to subsidize the cost of ADP extension technology packages to enhance easy adoption by rural
farmers; and credit institutions are advised to give farmers loans to enhance their accessibility of ADP
extension technology packages in the area
Perception of Cattle Herdsmen on the use of Information and Communication Tec...AI Publications
The study was carried out to investigate the perception of cattle herdsmen on the use of information and communication technology in management practice in Akinyele local government of Oyo state. Multistage sampling procedure was used for the study. A total of 164 questionnaire were administered and 135questionnaires were retrieved. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using the frequency table, simple percentage, chi square and PPMC (Pearson product moment of correlation).97.8% and 2.2% respectively represent the percentage of male and female respondent. The ages of the respondents were 56years and above (3.7%), 46-55years (5.2%), 36-45years (43.7%), 26-35years (32.6%), 15-25years (14.8%). Majority of the respondents (45.2%) and (72.6%) get information from television and radio set respectively. The result obtained showed that majority of the respondents (63.0%) strongly agreed that the use of ICT promotes productivity while 33.3% of the respondent agreed. Also, 47.4% of the respondent agreed that perception of cattle rearing to the use of ICT for management practices promote farming, 40.7% of the respondent strongly agreed.From the research, respondents see poor power supply, economic barrier, level of education as major constraint.PPMC shows that there was significant relationship between constraints to the use of various ICT tools and perception of the herdsmen (r= 0.944, p=0.000), the level of perception of the herdsmen and the entire hypothesis tested were all significant. Effort should be made by government to improve ways by which the recommended ICT tools can get to the herdsmen so as to enhance their production.
Effect of Yam-Based Production on Food Security Status of Farm Households in...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— The study assessed the effect of yam-based production on the food security status of farm households in Edo south, Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, analyse the contribution of yam-based production to the income profile of the households, estimate their mean per capita daily calorie intake and examine the determinants and the probability of households being food secured.
A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in selecting 120 farm households from Edo South agro-ecological zone of Edo-State data were collected with the aid of well – structured interview schedule on households socio-economic variables which included sex, age, marital status, level of education, farm size, household size and household income and expenditure profile among others. Data collected were analyzed by appropriate statistical analysis which included frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, and Logit regression model.
The results showed that 97 males, represented majority of the households with (80.8%) and females 23, represented 19.2%of the house heads. The mean age of household reads was 50 years, of which (92.5%) of them were married, 53% owned houses and 58% had farming experience of 11.20 years the mean household size was estimated as seven persons with a mean farm size of 1.35 hectares. The mean annual household income in the study area was estimated as N 496.850.88 out of which farm income contributed N 62.4307, and off income contributed (37.57%). The mean monthly household expenditure was N 40,934.31 out of which food expenditure accounted for 40 .22%. The results also showed that the area was fairly food -secured with 52.5% being food secured and 47.67 being food insecure with mean per capita calorie intake of 36,okcal and 120.2 kcal respectively.
Finally, the results also revealed that three variables in the logit model were significant in explaining variation in the food security status of the households. These are farm size, form income and off-income. It was recommended that government should provide bigger plot of land for those farmers who are determined to take farming as business.
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Mobile phone an instrument of disseminating requisite agricultural informat...eSAT Journals
Abstract Bangladesh is densely an over populated country where a large number of people (more than 60 percent) are still living their livelihood directly or indirectly through the agro based jobs. The environment is very much favorable for agriculture. The contribution of agricultural sector to GDP is 20.60% In this regard, if the initiatives are been taken to provide the right farmers with the right information by the right way at the right time within the least cost, the success will be definite. Decision making is a very crucial part in every activity to be performed in an excellent manner. Any system applied for getting information and knowledge for making decisions in any industry should deliver accurate, complete, concise information in time or on time. The information provided by the system must be in user-friendly form, easy to access, cost-effective and well protected from unauthorized accesses. And to ensure all these there is no alternative other than telecommunication and networking technologies. Different collaboration and communication tools are available to share information throughout the world to ensure improved decision making. And those tools are also playing an important role to disseminate agricultural information. Mobile phone is one of the most popular electronic media among the natives of this country for news and information. Mobile phones significantly reduce communication and information costs for the rural poor in developing countries. This not only provides new opportunities for rural farmers to obtain access to information on agricultural technologies, but also to use ICTs (Information and communication technologies) in agricultural extension systems. Since 2007, there has been a proliferation of mobile phone based applications and services in the agricultural sector, providing information on market prices, weather, transport and agricultural techniques via voice, short message service (SMS) and internet. Therefore, this paper attempts to analyze the contribution of mobile phones on the dissemination of agricultural information for the farmers for their agricultural enrichment with emphasis on analyzing quantitative data gathered in a survey using a structured questionnaire that was generated on the basis of my theoretical study. Findings indicate a positive curve towards the dependency on and contribution of mobile phones. Keywords: Agricultural Information, Mobile Phones in Bangladesh, Agricultural Information Service (AIS), Technology Adoption, E-agriculture.
This document summarizes a study on the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers who benefit from rural credit in Pakistan. The study collected primary data through surveys of 320 farmers using stratified sampling. Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and linear regression were used to analyze the data. The results found that younger, more educated farmers who visited agricultural information centers benefited more and were better able to improve their standard of living through the use of rural credit. Education level and visits to information centers were the most significant factors determining benefit from rural credit.
Family income among small scale farmers a panacea for household food security...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study that examined the effects of family income on household food security among small-scale farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study found that over half (53.3%) of the 105 respondents surveyed were food insecure. Most respondents were middle-aged (31-50 years old), married, and had received some education. Significant relationships existed between sources of income and respondents' age, years of schooling, farming experience, and income level. The study concluded more than half of households in the area were food insecure and recommended the government subsidize agricultural inputs and encourage farmer cooperatives to improve access to credit and income.
Agriculture has been the major source of livelihood in Nigeria, primarily because the environment is favorable for Agricultural practice. On the basis of climate, topography and vegetation the country is divided into five agricultural zones, namely Dry sub humid, Sub-humid, very humid and swamp/flood. Subsistence agriculture formed the major system of farming in the olden days which provide food crops for human consumption, while surplus are transported to the local markets for sale. Subsistence agriculture also forms the basis upon which all other system of farming are built. Hence, this paper examines the problems and prospects of subsistence agriculture in Ibarapa East local Government Area of Oyo State. Ten farming centres were used as samples in the area. Questionnaires were used to collect relevant data. Percentage and T-test distribution techniques were used to analyze the data. The findings show that there is low agricultural production in the study area as a result of problems such as shortage of fund, land tenure system, inadequate transportation system among others.
The document discusses a study on the information needs of agricultural extension officers in Ghana. It provides background on the importance of agriculture to Ghana's economy and issues such as low yields, growth and food insecurity. The study aimed to analyze the information needs of extension agents in a district of Ghana. It reviewed literature on extension delivery in Ghana and information needs of agents. The methodology involved questionnaires administered to farmers and agents to assess their information needs. Key findings included the technical, commercial, social and legal information needs of extension agents based on scores in different areas like pest control, marketing and legislation.
This document analyzes factors that influence loan repayment among yam farmers in Ghana's Sene District. It finds that education level, farming experience, profit from yam sales, age, supervision from loan officers, and off-farm income positively affect repayment, while gender and marital status have negative effects. The study uses a probit model and data from 100 farmers to determine that socioeconomic characteristics like education, experience, and household income are critical for improving smallholder farmers' ability to repay agricultural loans.
Value Chain Analysis of Banana in Mizan Aman Town of Benchi Maji Zone, Southw...AI Publications
This study was aimed at analyzing value chain of banana in Mizan-Aman town, Bench Maji zone with specific objectives of describing important marketing channels and actors involved on banana value chain, dealing the determinant of supply of banana and identify constraints in value chain of the banana. The data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data for this study were collected through application of appropriate statistical procedures. The data were analyzed by using both descriptive and Econometric models. Accordingly, the value chain activities in the survey period were production, marketing and consumption. To identify factors affecting farm level marketable supply of banana, OLS regression analysis was employed. About 10 variables were hypothesized to affect farm level of marketable supply of banana in the study area. Age of respondent, experience, family size, education level of the household head, market information and distance to the market affects farm level marketable supply of banana positively and negatively. The study result exhibited also that banana producers are faced lack market, lack of cooperatives and low price of banana. The result revealed that banana passes through several intermediaries with little value being added before reaching the end users. Therefore, farmers are forced to capture a lower share of profit margin. The highest marketing cost is incurred by wholesalers and the highest market profit is shared by retailers. The value chain analysis revealed that the major actors in the area are producers, local collectors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. The study showed that Input Suppliers, Improved infrastructure and strengthening the linkage/interaction among value chain actors is necessary for good marketing of banana.
Demand-led market opportunities for farmers in the high value product sector ...Premier Publishers
Market information is indispensable in facilitating marketing of agricultural produce, particularly fresh produce given its high perishability. The purpose of this study was to estimate South African consumers’ demand for vegetables. Demand for six vegetables was analysed via a multi-stage budgeting system, using data from the Household Expenditure Survey and the 2010 edition of the Abstract of Agricultural Statistics. The estimated demand elasticities show that the demand for all vegetables increases with rising per capita income. Most of the vegetables were found to respond substantially to changes in their own prices and in the direction as expected with estimated negative own-price elasticities.
Farmers’ Aspiration Indices and Possible Strategies to Improve Sweet Potato ...BRNSSPublicationHubI
This document summarizes a research article that investigated farmers' aspiration indices and strategies to improve sweet potato production in South East Nigeria. The study found that the majority of sweet potato farmers were female, married, and had 8 people in their household on average. It also found that farmers highly aspired to invest money in sweet potato farming for future income, increase farm size, increase marketing channels, and mechanize farms. The top strategies identified to improve production were decentralizing training on practices and providing rural infrastructure like roads, electricity, and water. The document recommends establishing information centers, a special funding trust for producing states, and guiding farmers' aspirations through extension services.
Effects of farmers’ demographic factors on the adoption of grainAlexander Decker
This document reports on a study that examined the demographic factors affecting farmers' adoption of grain storage technologies in Nigeria. The study analyzed data collected from 120 farmers in Ilorin West LGA of Kwara State. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between adoption of technologies and demographic variables like sex, age, education level, and occupation. The results showed that sex, education level, and occupation were significantly related to adoption, with males, more educated farmers, and farmers engaged in farming as a primary occupation more likely to adopt the technologies. The study recommends improving dissemination methods to benefit both educated and uneducated farmers.
Factors Influencing Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technologies (IATs) amo...Premier Publishers
The study examined factors influencing adoption of improved agricultural technologies (IATs) among smallholder farmers in rural communities of Kaduna State.The study was conducted in Giwa and Sabon-gari Local Government Areas. Three objectives guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select the farming communities for the study. Two rural communities (Bassawa and Shika) were purposely selected out of 16 villages primarily because of their age-long agricultural technologies. The sample size of the study was 200 smallholder farmers made up of 100 farmers from each of the communities which were purposively selected. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule, focus group discussion and in-depth interview while the secondary data which relate to the objectives of the study were collected from the office of the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Project (ADP) and National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), ABU, Zaria. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentages. Results from the findings of the study revealed a positive significant (p<0.05) influence on adoption of agricultural technology and farmers’ educational levels, gender and age also had a positive significant influence on the adoption of technology. Therefore, the following recommendations were made: there is need to increase farmers’ capital and credit facilities and make funds accessible to the farmers. Also, it is therefore imperative for Government to ensure that policies that support the adoption of improved agricultural technologies are put in place.
Lecturers’ Perception on Agriculture Mechanization in Rivers State, NigeriaAI Publications
The study investigated lecturers’ perception on agricultural mechanization in Rivers state, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, four research questions which sought the information regarding benefits, awareness, challenges and solutions guided the study. Population of the study comprises 360 lecturers from three tertiary institutions in Rivers state. Data collection was achieved using a questionnaire comprising 32 items and rated on a five point likert scale. Mean was used for data analysis. For results, regarding benefits, the respondents agreed that agricultural mechanization boosts food production but disagree that it boosts employment of labour. For awareness, lecturers were generally aware of mechanization in agriculture. For challenges, they perceived lack of skills to use mechanized farm equipment as one challenge to mechanization. They perceived that favourable government policies could enhance agricultural mechanization. The study recommend that awareness on agricultural mechanization should be created and government set up agricultural machinery industries for developing and hiring out mechanized farm tools at subsidized rates to farmers.
This document analyzes the information needs of agricultural extension agents in rural Ghana. It discusses how access to relevant and timely information is crucial for extension agents to effectively disseminate information to small-scale farmers and help increase agricultural production. The study assessed the information needs of 130 extension agents across eight districts of northern Ghana. It found that major gaps exist in the extension agents' knowledge of technical and legal information needed by farmers, hindering improvements in productivity. The document recommends that extension agent training include computer literacy to improve their access to internet resources and agricultural information.
Towards Indian Agricultural Information: A Need Based Information Flow Modelinventionjournals
Information is crucial for agriculture and rural development. ICT based services in agriculture is gaining importance day by day. Paper proposes to study the nature of agricultural information its uniqueness and problems of handling and organization. Agri informatics and use of different web portals for agriculture also discussed. Paper also highlighted the ICAR and IARIs contribution towards development of NARS (National Agricultural Research System) and models showing Information flow and strategic plan for organization of agricultural information. Some recommendations for proper organization and dissemination of agricultural information have been made to reach grass root level with desired agricultural information.
Strategies to Enhance Youths’ Involvement in Agricultural Production Enterpri...AI Publications
This document summarizes a study that aimed to determine strategies to enhance youth involvement in agricultural production enterprises in Benue State, Nigeria. The study identified factors inhibiting youth participation and proposed strategies to enhance participation. A questionnaire was administered to 258 youths and 142 agricultural extension agents. The results showed that all 13 items surveyed were inhibiting factors, and all 17 proposed strategies were accepted as ways to enhance youth participation in agricultural enterprises, such as providing loans and linking agriculture to social media. The study recommended mentoring and encouraging youths through various strategies to boost involvement in agricultural production and employment.
The law of demand expresses the functional relationship between price and quantity demanded.
Assumption of ‘ Ceteris Paribus’. A hypothetical assumption
If price of a commodity falls, the quantity demanded of it will rise and vice versa.
Inverse relationship between price and quantity
Other factors also play an important role.
Real world variables.
The indifference curve analysis has also been used to explain producer’s equilibrium, the problems of exchange, rationing, taxation, supply of labour, welfare economics and a host of other problems. Some of the important problems are explained below with the help of this technique.
(1) The Problem of Exchange:
With the help of indifference curve technique the problem of exchange between two individuals can be discussed. We take two consumers A and В who possess two goods X and Y in fixed quantities respectively. The problem is how can they exchange the goods possessed by each other. This can be solved by constructing an Edgeworth-Bowley box diagram on the basis of their preference maps and the given supplies of goods.
Effect of farmer education and managerial ability on food cropAlexander Decker
This document discusses a study that examined the effect of farmer education and managerial ability on the technical efficiency of food crop production in Nigeria. The study used survey data from 150 farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Stochastic frontier production analysis was used to estimate farmers' technical efficiency levels, which ranged from 84.4% to 99.4% with a mean of 94.3%, indicating some room for improved efficiency. The results showed that education level and age contributed to higher efficiency. The study concluded that improving farmer education could increase efficiency and food security in Nigeria.
Determinants of Farmers’ Adoption of Agricultural Development Programme Exten...BRNSS Publication Hub
The study analyzed the determinants of farmers’ adoption of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP)
extension technology packages in Ivo L.G.A of Ebonyi State. Multistage sampling procedure was employed
to select 80 farmers and eight extension agents who formed the respondents for the study. Data were
collected through the aid of questionnaire and interview schedule whereas the analysis was done using
descriptive and inferential statistics suiting each specific objective. The result showed that most of the
farmers (82.50%) and extension agents (75%) were males, respectively. Evidence showed that the mean age
of the farmers was 37 years while the mean age of the extension agents was 44 years. It was obvious that
67.50% and 75% of the farmers and extension agents were, respectively, married. The mean annual income
of the farmers and extension agents was ₦98,070 and ₦504,200, respectively. The result showed further
that about 81.9% change in the dependent variable (adoption of extension technology packages) was caused
by variations of socio-economic characteristics included in the regression model. The following were the
research recommendations; educational facilities should be made available for rural farmers to enhance
easy adoption of ADP extension technology packages to enhance production; government and NGOs should
endeavor to subsidize the cost of ADP extension technology packages to enhance easy adoption by rural
farmers; and credit institutions are advised to give farmers loans to enhance their accessibility of ADP
extension technology packages in the area
Perception of Cattle Herdsmen on the use of Information and Communication Tec...AI Publications
The study was carried out to investigate the perception of cattle herdsmen on the use of information and communication technology in management practice in Akinyele local government of Oyo state. Multistage sampling procedure was used for the study. A total of 164 questionnaire were administered and 135questionnaires were retrieved. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using the frequency table, simple percentage, chi square and PPMC (Pearson product moment of correlation).97.8% and 2.2% respectively represent the percentage of male and female respondent. The ages of the respondents were 56years and above (3.7%), 46-55years (5.2%), 36-45years (43.7%), 26-35years (32.6%), 15-25years (14.8%). Majority of the respondents (45.2%) and (72.6%) get information from television and radio set respectively. The result obtained showed that majority of the respondents (63.0%) strongly agreed that the use of ICT promotes productivity while 33.3% of the respondent agreed. Also, 47.4% of the respondent agreed that perception of cattle rearing to the use of ICT for management practices promote farming, 40.7% of the respondent strongly agreed.From the research, respondents see poor power supply, economic barrier, level of education as major constraint.PPMC shows that there was significant relationship between constraints to the use of various ICT tools and perception of the herdsmen (r= 0.944, p=0.000), the level of perception of the herdsmen and the entire hypothesis tested were all significant. Effort should be made by government to improve ways by which the recommended ICT tools can get to the herdsmen so as to enhance their production.
Effect of Yam-Based Production on Food Security Status of Farm Households in...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— The study assessed the effect of yam-based production on the food security status of farm households in Edo south, Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, analyse the contribution of yam-based production to the income profile of the households, estimate their mean per capita daily calorie intake and examine the determinants and the probability of households being food secured.
A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in selecting 120 farm households from Edo South agro-ecological zone of Edo-State data were collected with the aid of well – structured interview schedule on households socio-economic variables which included sex, age, marital status, level of education, farm size, household size and household income and expenditure profile among others. Data collected were analyzed by appropriate statistical analysis which included frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, and Logit regression model.
The results showed that 97 males, represented majority of the households with (80.8%) and females 23, represented 19.2%of the house heads. The mean age of household reads was 50 years, of which (92.5%) of them were married, 53% owned houses and 58% had farming experience of 11.20 years the mean household size was estimated as seven persons with a mean farm size of 1.35 hectares. The mean annual household income in the study area was estimated as N 496.850.88 out of which farm income contributed N 62.4307, and off income contributed (37.57%). The mean monthly household expenditure was N 40,934.31 out of which food expenditure accounted for 40 .22%. The results also showed that the area was fairly food -secured with 52.5% being food secured and 47.67 being food insecure with mean per capita calorie intake of 36,okcal and 120.2 kcal respectively.
Finally, the results also revealed that three variables in the logit model were significant in explaining variation in the food security status of the households. These are farm size, form income and off-income. It was recommended that government should provide bigger plot of land for those farmers who are determined to take farming as business.
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Mobile phone an instrument of disseminating requisite agricultural informat...eSAT Journals
Abstract Bangladesh is densely an over populated country where a large number of people (more than 60 percent) are still living their livelihood directly or indirectly through the agro based jobs. The environment is very much favorable for agriculture. The contribution of agricultural sector to GDP is 20.60% In this regard, if the initiatives are been taken to provide the right farmers with the right information by the right way at the right time within the least cost, the success will be definite. Decision making is a very crucial part in every activity to be performed in an excellent manner. Any system applied for getting information and knowledge for making decisions in any industry should deliver accurate, complete, concise information in time or on time. The information provided by the system must be in user-friendly form, easy to access, cost-effective and well protected from unauthorized accesses. And to ensure all these there is no alternative other than telecommunication and networking technologies. Different collaboration and communication tools are available to share information throughout the world to ensure improved decision making. And those tools are also playing an important role to disseminate agricultural information. Mobile phone is one of the most popular electronic media among the natives of this country for news and information. Mobile phones significantly reduce communication and information costs for the rural poor in developing countries. This not only provides new opportunities for rural farmers to obtain access to information on agricultural technologies, but also to use ICTs (Information and communication technologies) in agricultural extension systems. Since 2007, there has been a proliferation of mobile phone based applications and services in the agricultural sector, providing information on market prices, weather, transport and agricultural techniques via voice, short message service (SMS) and internet. Therefore, this paper attempts to analyze the contribution of mobile phones on the dissemination of agricultural information for the farmers for their agricultural enrichment with emphasis on analyzing quantitative data gathered in a survey using a structured questionnaire that was generated on the basis of my theoretical study. Findings indicate a positive curve towards the dependency on and contribution of mobile phones. Keywords: Agricultural Information, Mobile Phones in Bangladesh, Agricultural Information Service (AIS), Technology Adoption, E-agriculture.
This document summarizes a study on the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers who benefit from rural credit in Pakistan. The study collected primary data through surveys of 320 farmers using stratified sampling. Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and linear regression were used to analyze the data. The results found that younger, more educated farmers who visited agricultural information centers benefited more and were better able to improve their standard of living through the use of rural credit. Education level and visits to information centers were the most significant factors determining benefit from rural credit.
Family income among small scale farmers a panacea for household food security...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study that examined the effects of family income on household food security among small-scale farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study found that over half (53.3%) of the 105 respondents surveyed were food insecure. Most respondents were middle-aged (31-50 years old), married, and had received some education. Significant relationships existed between sources of income and respondents' age, years of schooling, farming experience, and income level. The study concluded more than half of households in the area were food insecure and recommended the government subsidize agricultural inputs and encourage farmer cooperatives to improve access to credit and income.
Agriculture has been the major source of livelihood in Nigeria, primarily because the environment is favorable for Agricultural practice. On the basis of climate, topography and vegetation the country is divided into five agricultural zones, namely Dry sub humid, Sub-humid, very humid and swamp/flood. Subsistence agriculture formed the major system of farming in the olden days which provide food crops for human consumption, while surplus are transported to the local markets for sale. Subsistence agriculture also forms the basis upon which all other system of farming are built. Hence, this paper examines the problems and prospects of subsistence agriculture in Ibarapa East local Government Area of Oyo State. Ten farming centres were used as samples in the area. Questionnaires were used to collect relevant data. Percentage and T-test distribution techniques were used to analyze the data. The findings show that there is low agricultural production in the study area as a result of problems such as shortage of fund, land tenure system, inadequate transportation system among others.
The document discusses a study on the information needs of agricultural extension officers in Ghana. It provides background on the importance of agriculture to Ghana's economy and issues such as low yields, growth and food insecurity. The study aimed to analyze the information needs of extension agents in a district of Ghana. It reviewed literature on extension delivery in Ghana and information needs of agents. The methodology involved questionnaires administered to farmers and agents to assess their information needs. Key findings included the technical, commercial, social and legal information needs of extension agents based on scores in different areas like pest control, marketing and legislation.
This document analyzes factors that influence loan repayment among yam farmers in Ghana's Sene District. It finds that education level, farming experience, profit from yam sales, age, supervision from loan officers, and off-farm income positively affect repayment, while gender and marital status have negative effects. The study uses a probit model and data from 100 farmers to determine that socioeconomic characteristics like education, experience, and household income are critical for improving smallholder farmers' ability to repay agricultural loans.
Value Chain Analysis of Banana in Mizan Aman Town of Benchi Maji Zone, Southw...AI Publications
This study was aimed at analyzing value chain of banana in Mizan-Aman town, Bench Maji zone with specific objectives of describing important marketing channels and actors involved on banana value chain, dealing the determinant of supply of banana and identify constraints in value chain of the banana. The data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data for this study were collected through application of appropriate statistical procedures. The data were analyzed by using both descriptive and Econometric models. Accordingly, the value chain activities in the survey period were production, marketing and consumption. To identify factors affecting farm level marketable supply of banana, OLS regression analysis was employed. About 10 variables were hypothesized to affect farm level of marketable supply of banana in the study area. Age of respondent, experience, family size, education level of the household head, market information and distance to the market affects farm level marketable supply of banana positively and negatively. The study result exhibited also that banana producers are faced lack market, lack of cooperatives and low price of banana. The result revealed that banana passes through several intermediaries with little value being added before reaching the end users. Therefore, farmers are forced to capture a lower share of profit margin. The highest marketing cost is incurred by wholesalers and the highest market profit is shared by retailers. The value chain analysis revealed that the major actors in the area are producers, local collectors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. The study showed that Input Suppliers, Improved infrastructure and strengthening the linkage/interaction among value chain actors is necessary for good marketing of banana.
Demand-led market opportunities for farmers in the high value product sector ...Premier Publishers
Market information is indispensable in facilitating marketing of agricultural produce, particularly fresh produce given its high perishability. The purpose of this study was to estimate South African consumers’ demand for vegetables. Demand for six vegetables was analysed via a multi-stage budgeting system, using data from the Household Expenditure Survey and the 2010 edition of the Abstract of Agricultural Statistics. The estimated demand elasticities show that the demand for all vegetables increases with rising per capita income. Most of the vegetables were found to respond substantially to changes in their own prices and in the direction as expected with estimated negative own-price elasticities.
Farmers’ Aspiration Indices and Possible Strategies to Improve Sweet Potato ...BRNSSPublicationHubI
This document summarizes a research article that investigated farmers' aspiration indices and strategies to improve sweet potato production in South East Nigeria. The study found that the majority of sweet potato farmers were female, married, and had 8 people in their household on average. It also found that farmers highly aspired to invest money in sweet potato farming for future income, increase farm size, increase marketing channels, and mechanize farms. The top strategies identified to improve production were decentralizing training on practices and providing rural infrastructure like roads, electricity, and water. The document recommends establishing information centers, a special funding trust for producing states, and guiding farmers' aspirations through extension services.
Effects of farmers’ demographic factors on the adoption of grainAlexander Decker
This document reports on a study that examined the demographic factors affecting farmers' adoption of grain storage technologies in Nigeria. The study analyzed data collected from 120 farmers in Ilorin West LGA of Kwara State. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between adoption of technologies and demographic variables like sex, age, education level, and occupation. The results showed that sex, education level, and occupation were significantly related to adoption, with males, more educated farmers, and farmers engaged in farming as a primary occupation more likely to adopt the technologies. The study recommends improving dissemination methods to benefit both educated and uneducated farmers.
Analysis of Factors Influencing Participation of Farm Households in Watermelo...AJSERJournal
The study analyzed the factors influencing participation of farm households’ in watermelon production in
the study areas. Three local government areas out of Sokoto state were purposively selected. Questionnaire was used
to collect data. Multistage of sampling techniques were used to arrive at the sample size of 181 farm households’ for
the study. Likert scale is used to analyse the level of participation of farm households’, frequency and inferential
statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that (55.8%) of the farm households are within the ages
of 25-30 years, majority (96.7%) are male It shows that majority (64.0%) of the farm households participated in
watermelon production as a result of higher income generated. Multiple regression analysis result revealed significant
relationships between farm households participation in watermelon production and their socio-economic
characteristics at P<0.05. The constraints faced by the farm households are storage technology and improved
agricultural inputs. Most (63.5%) of the farm households believed that provision of subsidized agricultural inputs and
market accessibility are forms of assistance that will encourages farm households to partake in watermelon production.
It is recommended that government and donor agencies should encourage farm households’ by providing them with
the modern agricultural inputs so as to influence them to participate fully into watermelon production irrespective of
their Socio-economic differences.
Analysis of Factors Influencing Participation of Farm Households in Watermelo...AJSERJournal
This document analyzes factors influencing participation of farm households in watermelon production in Sokoto State, Nigeria. It describes the study area and sampling methodology. A survey was conducted with 181 farm households across 3 local government areas. The study aims to describe socioeconomic characteristics of participants, determine participation levels, identify influencing factors, constraints to participation, and types of assistance needed. Key findings were that most participants were male, ages 25-30, and participated for higher income. Participation was influenced by socioeconomic characteristics. Major constraints were storage technology and inputs. Most participants felt subsidized inputs and better market access would encourage greater involvement in watermelon production. The study recommends providing farm households modern inputs to influence full participation regardless of
Use of Management Information System by Farmers for Improve Productivity in K...ijcseit
This paper shows the use of management information system by farmers for improve productivity in Kayah state in Myanmar. The objective is to give first a brief overview why MIS is important in the farming sector. Secondly the paper is aiming on the development of a FMIS that depicts all production processes and their internal interconnections of a farm accurately. Thirdly this paper mentions what is agricultural information management and why is it important? Furthermore, the MIS has to allow farmers to easily access all information which are crucial for the farm’s profitability. Finally this paper aims on highlighting effective issues of management information system and what farmers and researchers have to consider during the implementation process.
USE OF MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM BY FARMERS FOR IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY IN K...ijcseit
This paper shows the use of management information system by farmers for improve productivity in Kayah
state in Myanmar. The objective is to give first a brief overview why MIS is important in the farming sector.
Secondly the paper is aiming on the development of a FMIS that depicts all production processes and their
internal interconnections of a farm accurately. Thirdly this paper mentions what is agricultural
information management and why is it important? Furthermore, the MIS has to allow farmers to easily access all information which are crucial for the farm’s profitability. Finally this paper aims on highlighting
effective issues of management information system and what farmers and researchers have to consider during the implementation process.
USE OF MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM BY FARMERS FOR IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY IN K...ijcseit
This paper shows the use of management information system by farmers for improve productivity in Kayah
state in Myanmar. The objective is to give first a brief overview why MIS is important in the farming sector.
Secondly the paper is aiming on the development of a FMIS that depicts all production processes and their
internal interconnections of a farm accurately. Thirdly this paper mentions what is agricultural
information management and why is it important? Furthermore, the MIS has to allow farmers to easily
access all information which are crucial for the farm’s profitability. Finally this paper aims on highlighting
effective issues of management information system and what farmers and researchers have to consider
during the implementation process.
Analysis of Rural Households Food Security Status in Dibatie District, Wester...Premier Publishers
This study examines the rural household’s food security status and its determinants in the Dibatie district of Bebishangul Gumuz region. The simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents with proportionate sample size based on the number of households that exists in sampled kebele administrations. The data were collected using structured questionnaires and key informants interviews. Both descriptive statistics and econometric model (binary logit model) were used to analyze this data at household levels. Food Security Index is used to measure the food security status of sample households based on average kcal/day/adult equivalent. The results of this study revealed that households of 59.4% were found food secure and 46.6% food insecure. The mean calorie intake of all sampled households was 2431.68kcal/day/equivalent. Furthermore, estimated a binary logit model results show that the variables such as education level of household head, utilization of formal credit, cultivated land size, access to training, farm experience, household size and distance to nearest market were found significant influence on households’ food security status in the study area. However, the remaining variables were not found significant effect on households’ food security status. Finally, the study suggests that any interventions designed to promote farmers to increase food security status at household level in the study area are welcome.
The study assessed the socio economic variables of cashew farmers in Oyo State. Two towns within
Ibarapa East Local Government Area (Temidire and Eruwa) were purposively sampled. These areas are known
for the cultivation, production and marketing of this crop. A total sampling frame of fifty-six respondents was
used.
A vehicle for sustainable food production in nigeriaAlexander Decker
This document summarizes an article that discusses using entrepreneurship as a vehicle for sustainable food production in Nigeria. It begins with an abstract of the full article and introduces the topics of agriculture in Nigeria, food security, and entrepreneurship. The methodology of a narrative-textual case study is described. Key concepts are then defined, including entrepreneurship as bringing new uses of resources, and sustainable development as meeting present needs without compromising future generations. Food security is defined as all people having access to enough nutritious food. The document aims to explore how agriculture can be practiced lucratively in Nigeria and how to improve food supply sustainability.
A vehicle for sustainable food production in nigeriaAlexander Decker
This document summarizes an article about using entrepreneurship to promote sustainable food production in Nigeria. It discusses how agriculture has historically been important but commercial farming is still developing in Nigeria. The document reviews concepts like entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and food security. It proposes that taking an entrepreneurial approach to agriculture could help address issues of unemployment, food scarcity, poverty, and increase incomes and standards of living in Nigeria.
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF FRUITS & VEGETABLES SECTOR IN IN...ijmvsc
This document summarizes a research paper that reviewed challenges in the supply chain for fruits and vegetables in India. It found that issues like lack of cold storage facilities, a fragmented supply chain with poor linkages between partners, taxation problems, inadequate infrastructure, high packaging costs, limited use of technology, poor farmer knowledge and quality standards, low levels of processing and value addition, supply chain inefficiencies, insufficient farmer incomes, high supply chain losses and waste of fresh produce, limited transportation options, and lack of demand and market information are negatively impacting the growth of the fruits and vegetables sector in India. The researchers suggest addressing these issues through improved mitigation strategies to benefit various supply chain stakeholders.
Contributions of Women in Cassava Production and Processing Activities among ...BRNSSPublicationHubI
This document summarizes a research article that investigated the contributions of women in cassava production and processing activities among farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. The study found that the majority (71%) of farmers were women. Women were highly involved in cassava planting (79%), weeding (71%), and harvesting (69%), while men contributed more to land preparation and ridge making. Women also dominated the processing of cassava into foods like foo-foo, garri, and tapioca, while men contributed more to grinding and pounding. The benefits of cassava farming for farmers included increased household food security and income. However, women faced challenges like inadequate labor, high costs of processing equipment, lack of access to credit, and inadequate extension
Diagnostic analysis of variables of non adoption of rice technology by farmer...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study that analyzed the socio-economic variables contributing to the non-adoption of rice production technologies by farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study surveyed 420 farmers and extension agents using a questionnaire. It found that key elements of finance, land access, and education had the highest impact on non-adoption. Specifically, the inability to obtain loans due to lack of collateral, high interest rates, and high land costs were most significant barriers related to finance and land access. A lack of ongoing farmer education through demonstration plots and follow-up visits also hindered adoption related to education. In conclusion, addressing these key constraints could help boost rice production and adoption of new technologies in Anambra State.
Determinants of Willingness to Pay for Private Extension Services by Crop Far...Premier Publishers
The study analysed determinants of willingness to pay for private extension services among crop farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from respondents using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics and logit regression model. From the results, the mean age of respondents was 39 years. The mean annual income of respondents was N504,811.1 (SD = N767,997.7). Many (49.4%) of the farmers interviewed had between 6 – 10 persons in their households with an average household size of 8 persons. Majority (79.4%) of the respondents were male while only 20.6% of the respondents were female. Socioeconomic factors influencing crop farmers’ willingness to pay for private extension found in the study were age, income, membership of cooperatives and frequency of extension visits. Age was significant at 10% while Income and membership of cooperatives were both significant at 5% respectively. However, frequency of extension visits was significant at 1%. There should be deliberate policies that will draw younger Nigerian into farming as the study reveals that willingness to pay for private extension increases within the younger generation of farmers. Younger farmers have the innovativeness to incorporate vital innovations and modern technologies in farming.
Analysis of market participation by rice farmers in southern nigeria.Alexander Decker
This study analyzed factors affecting market participation among smallholder rice farmers in southern Nigeria. A survey was conducted with 150 farmers. Results showed that factors like higher crop production levels, larger land sizes, use of improved seeds, access to market information, group participation, and contractual agreements positively influenced farmers' ability to participate in output markets. However, lack of timely market information, transportation issues, and limited access to extension agents posed challenges. The study concluded that improving smallholder farmers' access to resources, market information, and group participation could help them better commercialize and contribute to economic growth in rural areas.
Case Study to Investigate the Adoption of Precision Agriculture in Nigeria Us...Premier Publishers
This study investigated the adoption of precision farming (PF) technology with research into the possible implementation of the technology for increased productivity in a maize plantation in Nigeria. The research understands the nature of the challenges and highlights the possibility of implementing PF technology to Nigerian Agriculture. The methodology uses simple image analysis with fuzzy classification to determine the degree of spatial and temporal variability of the field to develop a treatment plan for an equally fertile and fully productive yield. The results showed that implementing precision agriculture (PA) will yield high productivity with the aid of remote sensing to obtain an aerial view of the farm. Simple PA technologies, such as using the information to determine and test soil nutrient availability to enable land preparation to obtain a uniform field, can help make the managerial decision on the farm efficiently. There is a great chance to optimize production on the field, minimise input resources, cost and maximising profit while preserving the natural environment. By using machine vision technology with fuzzy logic for decision making, not only the shape, size, colour, and texture of objects can be recognised but also numerical attributes of the objects or scene being imaged.
An assessment of the determinants of moringa cultivation among small scale fa...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study that examined the determinants of Moringa cultivation among small-scale farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. It found that 47% of respondents were aware of Moringa's nutritional benefits and 37.3% grew Moringa on their farms. The study utilized a questionnaire and binary logistic regression to analyze data from 150 farmers. It determined that awareness of crop benefits, farming experience, membership in a cooperative society, and growing other permanent crops were significant factors affecting Moringa cultivation in the area. The study recommends promoting awareness of Moringa's benefits and using cooperatives to enhance value-addition to the crop.
DETERMINANTS FOR RECORD KEEPING AMONG FARMERS IN TUBAH SUB DIVISION, NORTH WE...AJHSSR Journal
ABSTRACT :
Purpose: Record keeping is important as it enables farmers to document their farm operations. Apart from
providing some useful insights into the types of records kept, it facilitates understand the problems connected with
record keeping by farmers, and so enable us to suggest solutions that lead to effective record keeping. Information
obtained can further enhance agricultural development, for instance by facilitating farmers’ access to credits.
Methodology: Data was collected using the purposively sampling method (160 farmers) from the villages of
Bambili, Bambui, Kedjom-keku (Big Babanki) and Kedjom-ketingoh (Small Babanki) all in Tubah division in the
North West region of Cameroon, using a structured questionnaire. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS
(Statistical Package for Social Science), version 20.0. Both descriptive statistics and regression analysis were
performed, adopting a 5% significance level.
Findings: All 160 respondents indicated that record keeping is very important, and 67.5% of them were found to
keep any kind of records. Binary logistic regression was applied to identify the factors that affect record keeping
decisions among farmers. Marital status, type of farming system practice, number of plots and formal training
showed positive contributions towards record keeping. However, only the marital status, farming practice, number
of plots and formal training (educational level) significantly influenced farmers’ decisions to keep records
(p=0.000).
Unique Contribution: Our contribution dwells on a relevant topic, namely record keeping, which is largely
neglected in the topic research, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The results allow us to recommended that famers
should endeavor to keep and constantly update records as records can attract benefits such as access to credit, and/or
grants acquired through project writing. Also, if production, input and sales records are prevalent, governments and
scholars can use them for statistical purposes, or as a catalyst to grant certification to famers who keep records
which would enhance traceability, market niche and fair trade..
KEYWORDS: Record Keeping, Determinants, Farmers, Binary Logistic Regression, Tubah-Sub Division
Determinants of Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technology and Its Impact o...Premier Publishers
The importance of agricultural technology in enhancing production and productivity can be realized when yield increasing and technologies are widely been used and diffused. Standing from this logical ground, this paper aimed at identifying the factors affecting agricultural technology adoption decision and examining the impact of adoption on household’s income in chiro district west Hararghe zone, Oromia national regional state, Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data was used; primary data was collected through structured questionnaire administered on 97 randomly selected smallholder farmers and secondary data was collected from published and unpublished document related to this topic. For data analysis purpose both Probit and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression models were employed. From the total 97 respondents 80 of them were adopted improved agricultural Technology while the left were not adopted improved agricultural technology in the study area. The regression result revealed that agricultural technology adoption has a positive and significant effect on household income by which adopters are better-offs than non-adopters. The probit regression result revealed that gender of the household head; access to irrigation, credit service; extension service and income of the household head significantly affect adoption of improved agricultural technology in the study area. From these finding researchers recommend that government should encourage small scale irrigation, credit service and extension service in the study area.
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Abnormalities of hormones and inflammatory cytokines in women affected with p...Alexander Decker
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have elevated levels of hormones like luteinizing hormone and testosterone, as well as higher levels of insulin and insulin resistance compared to healthy women. They also have increased levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and leptin. This study found these abnormalities in the hormones and inflammatory cytokines of women with PCOS ages 23-40, indicating that hormone imbalances associated with insulin resistance and elevated inflammatory markers may worsen infertility in women with PCOS.
A usability evaluation framework for b2 c e commerce websitesAlexander Decker
This document presents a framework for evaluating the usability of B2C e-commerce websites. It involves user testing methods like usability testing and interviews to identify usability problems in areas like navigation, design, purchasing processes, and customer service. The framework specifies goals for the evaluation, determines which website aspects to evaluate, and identifies target users. It then describes collecting data through user testing and analyzing the results to identify usability problems and suggest improvements.
A universal model for managing the marketing executives in nigerian banksAlexander Decker
This document discusses a study that aimed to synthesize motivation theories into a universal model for managing marketing executives in Nigerian banks. The study was guided by Maslow and McGregor's theories. A sample of 303 marketing executives was used. The results showed that managers will be most effective at motivating marketing executives if they consider individual needs and create challenging but attainable goals. The emerged model suggests managers should provide job satisfaction by tailoring assignments to abilities and monitoring performance with feedback. This addresses confusion faced by Nigerian bank managers in determining effective motivation strategies.
A unique common fixed point theorems in generalized dAlexander Decker
This document presents definitions and properties related to generalized D*-metric spaces and establishes some common fixed point theorems for contractive type mappings in these spaces. It begins by introducing D*-metric spaces and generalized D*-metric spaces, defines concepts like convergence and Cauchy sequences. It presents lemmas showing the uniqueness of limits in these spaces and the equivalence of different definitions of convergence. The goal of the paper is then stated as obtaining a unique common fixed point theorem for generalized D*-metric spaces.
A trends of salmonella and antibiotic resistanceAlexander Decker
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A Review of Information Needs of Rice Farmers: A Panacea for
Food Security and Poverty Alleviation
*Zarmai, J. U.,**Okwu, O. J.,*Dawang, C. N., AND *Nankat, J.D.
*Department of Agricultural Technology, Plateau State College of Agriculture, PMB 001 Garkawa
**Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, University of Agriculture, PMB 2373 Makurdi
Correspondence e-mail dawang4u@yahoo.com
Abstract
The study aimed at reviewing rice farmers’ agricultural information needs, access, and utilization and the
constraints faced in sourcing for information. Information were got on the concept of information needs,
assessment of information needs of rice farmers, concept of information access, farmers’ information search
behaviour, concept of utilization or adoption of information and the constraints faced or being faced. Review of
related literature on the information needs of rice farmers, access and utilization have been included.
Recommendations are given for effective transformation in rice production technology sub-sector if considered
such as setting up of adult literacy education programme for farmers, developing ICT-based agricultural
information delivery support system.
Key words: Information, Technology, Utilization, Innovation, Access, Farmers
Introduction
Rice (Oryza spp) is the most important food crop in the world, being the staple food for more than half
of the world’s population, predominantly in Asia and Africa where more than 90% of the world’s rice is grown
and consumed. It is a very versatile crop and there are many varieties of rice adapted to various environment and
cultivation practices (Luc et al., 2010).
The importance of rice in Nigeria is no longer the question but rather how we can meet the growing demand,
reduce import and be self-sufficient. Many theories and hypotheses were tried for our rice production systems
yet we haven’t gotten to that self-sufficiency level (Fashola et al., 2007).
Rice is the fourth largest crop produced in Nigeria after sorghum, millet and maize (Fashola et al., 2007). In the
last 30 years production has increased 6 folds with Nigeria producing 3.3 and 3.6 million tons of paddy rice in
2000 and 2005 respectively (FAOSTAT, 2007). Despite the increase in rice production in the country, it still
remains a paradox that the production has consistently fallen below the national demand (Abba and Mohammed,
2000).
The consumption of rice has increased drastically. This is confirmed by Hirose and Wakatsuki (2002)
that in Nigeria consumption per capita has jumped from 2.9kg in the period of 1970 – 1974 to 24.1 kg between
1995 and 1999. Annual per capita rice consumption in West Africa increased from 14 kilograms in the 1970s to
22 kilograms in the 1980s and more than 39 kilograms in 2009. For Africa as a whole, annual per capita rice
consumption increased from 11 kilograms in the 1970s to 21 kilograms in 2009 (FAO, 2010). Since the early
1970s rice has been the number one source of caloric intake in West Africa and the third most important source
of calories (after maize and cassava) for the continent as a whole (FAO, 2010).
In Nigeria, rice is a vital food consumption staple but has also become an important cash crop where it
provides employment for more than 80% of the population in the major producing areas (Okoruwa and
Ogundele, 2006). Ayinde et al (2009) noted that Nigeria is both the largest producer and consumer of rice in the
West African sub-region. Moreover, Nigeria consumes considerably more rice than it produces (Business Day,
2009), leading to significant imports in recent years (Table 1).
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Table 1: Rice Production, Consumption and Imports in Nigeria (‘000 MT), 2000-2008.
Year Rice Production (milled
rice)
Rice consumption (milled
rice )
Rice Imports (milled
rice)
Rice exports
2000 40 55 15 0
2001 50 70 20 0
2002 54 75 21 0
2003 52 152 100 0
2004 37 148 136 0
2005 51 256 205 0
2006 51 186 135 0
2007 46 206 160 0
2008 51 241 190 0
Source: United States Department of Agriculture.
Information is regarded as one of the most valuable resource in agricultural and rural development
programmes (Morrow et al., 2002). It is also regarded as an important input in agriculture (Oguya, 2007).
Nigerian farmers are reported not to feel the impact of agricultural innovation mainly because they have no
access to such vital information or due to poor dissemination (Oguya, 2007). The information usually provided is
reported to be focused mainly on policy makers, researchers, students and those who manage policy decisions
with little or no attention paid to the information needs of farmers who are the targeted beneficiaries of the policy
decisions (Omenesa, 2007). If provided with the right inputs, feasible technology and relevant information which
they actually need, small scale farmers are capable of transforming traditional agriculture (Tologbonse et al.,
2008).
Adoption (utilization) of innovations is a very important tool to measure the effectiveness and
efficiency of agricultural extension (Adedoyin, 2005). A thorough knowledge of the target group and the
participation of the target group in the development and dissemination of the technology is a pre-requisite to
adoption of the technology in question (Adedoyin, 2005). According to Tologbonse et al (2006), rice farmers’
adoption behavior and perception of information source may be responsible for their low output. The need to
find out their adoption behavior and perception of information sources is therefore pertinent.
Information Needs
Information need is an individual or group’s desire to locate and obtain information to satisfy a
conscious or unconscious need. The ‘information’ and ‘need’ in ‘information need’ are inseparable
interconnections. Needs and interests call forth information (Wikipeadia, 2013). The objectives of studying
information needs are:
1. The explanation/observed phenomena of information use or expressed need;
2.The prediction of instances of information uses;
3. The control and thereby improvement of the utilization of the information manipulation of essential conditions
(Wikipeadia, 2013).
The concept of information needs was coined by an American information
Scientist, Robert S. Taylor (1962) in his article “The Process of Asking Questions” published in American
Documentation(Now Journal of the American Society of Information Science and Technology). In this paper,
Taylor attempted to describe how an inquirer obtains an answer from an information system, by performing the
process consciously or unconsciously. According to Taylor (1962), information need has four levels:
1. The conscious and unconscious need for information not existing in the remembered experience of the
investigator. In terms of the query range, this level might be called “the ideal question”- the question which
would bring from the ideal system exactly what the inquirer, if he could, state as his need. It is the actual, but
unexpressed, need for information.
2. The conscious mental description of an ill-defined area of indecision. In this level, the inquirer might talk to
someone else in the field to get an answer.
3. A researcher forms a rational statement of his question. This statement is a rational and unambiguous
description of the inquirer’s doubts.
4. The question as presented to the information system.
According to Adebayo (2006), information has been identified as an important and
crucial variable in the development process. Adebayo (2006) posited that agricultural information is central in
enhancing agricultural productivity and facilitating poverty alleviation among rural farmers.
Okwu and Umoru (2009) identified information needs of women farmers in Benue State to include the
following: improved variety of crops, new cropping systems, new irrigation methods, fertilizer application, and
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pesticide application, better farm produce processing methods, improved marketing system and better storage
system.
Information Needs of Rice Farmers
Information needs assessments give programme designers that ability to develop interventions that
target users with specific information needs. Approaches work through the different phases of decision making
that a farmer faces during cropping season and selling. In addition to production – oriented information, off –
farm income generation options are also important information needs in addition to sustainable natural resource
management (Swanson, 2008). In an information needs assessment, a farmer may highlight an important
information need based on his/her requirement on interest, but unfelt or unrecognized needs will be revealed
through his approach. Nevertheless, the value of an information needs assessments, by engaging directly with
users of information, should not be over looked (Ali and Kumar, 2011).
Information Access
Access, according to Tadesse (2008), is the ability to get or know more and have ways of evaluating an
innovation, quite apart from hearing about it earlier. Farmers differ in their access and utilization of agricultural
information from extension service and other sources. Such diversity among farmers could be related to various
personal, social, economical, or institutional factors. Understanding reasons behind such diversity and farmers’
current level of access and utilization of agricultural information is of paramount importance. To enhance the
production and productivity of agriculture, farmers should have access to well organize and relevant information
and proper and sufficient utilization of agricultural information requires good facilitation (Tadesse, 2008).
Access to the appropriate information for agriculture and rural development becomes difficult task for
the farmers. Due to inadequate scientific farm information delivery to the farmers, agriculture exhibits low
productivity. Disappointing scientific information dissemination makes the farming become less remunerative
and also creates food insecurity problem (Tadesse, 2008).
.
Farmers’ Information Search Behaviour
The level of information search in terms of global, national, and local information sources will depend
on the aspirations of the searchers. Further, farmer’s ability to search for information depends on the sources that
are accessible to them. For example, local information needs could be met by a well – organized extension
system that uses traditional and modern methods of communication such as television, radio, and mobile phones,
while the need for global information has to be met through internet connection or through contact with private
firms. The roles of non – governmental organizations (NGOs) and farmer – based organizations (FBOs) are
increasingly being recognized as key for information sharing on specific crops and cropping systems (Swanson
and Rajala hti, 2010). The private sector, which includes the high- value agriculture chains developed through
contact farmers and input dealers who promote their agrochemicals, also plays a critical role in filling the
information gaps that may exist in rural areas (NSSO, 2005).
Yahaya (2002) reported that radio is the most potent source of information for farmers and farmers’
companions. Not only do farmers seek and find information from radio useful, but such information seeking
behaviour has been associated with an increase in farmers’ knowledge of improved agricultural practices,
thereby enhancing their productivity. According to Yahaya (2002), constant listening to a radio programme
contributes to the easy adoption of new practices by non – literate farmers and can lead to enhanced productivity.
Several farmers’ characteristics have been found to be significantly related to radio – listening habits, knowledge
of improved agricultural practices and, consequently, productivity.
Tiamiyu (2001) identified one major information access constraint as inadequate levels of availability
and accessibility of modern information technology components within Nigerian public agencies. It is not a gain
– saying that public service particularly Ministry- based institutions such as the Agricultural Development
Programme (ADP) have no basic information sourcing facilities such as the internet which is globally computer
networked. Consequently extension personnel are not able to access needed information relevant to their task,
which are logged in the internet (Tiamiyu, 2001).
Library facilities linked to most renowned databank in the world needed to facilitate appropriate agricultural
information for extension services in this new era are non – existent. Even when conventional library services
exist, they neither cater for the specific agricultural interest nor networked. As a result, when faced with
challenges in the field, extension agents have no reference points to proffer solutions, back up their suggestions
to farmers and update themselves with most recent and relevant agricultural data for their operations
(Nwaogwugwu et al., 2006).
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According to Nwaogwugwu et al (2006), by the nature of their assignment, extension agents are most of
the time in the rural areas and secluded from the trend of events in the changing world. Such environments
characterized by lack of power supply for simple gadgets such as radio, television sets, personal communication
equipment etc. and lack of information service centre does not motivate information sourcing. Consequently, the
crave for agricultural information is subjected to the obsolete and inadequate oral – face to face interaction
during fortnightly training (FNT) meetings in the Agricultural Development Programmes in Nigeria.
Factors that influence information search strategies are not common to all regions in a country. For
example, Halakatti, et al (2010), in the Haveri district of Karnataka, examined farmers’ use of mass media;
television was most used followed by radio and then print media. Meitei and Devi (2009), in rural Manipur,
found that farmers needed a variety of information related to seed varieties, pesticides and fertilizer. The
preferred medium was radio, followed by television and newspapers. Bhagat, et al (2004) interviewed 200
farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, where the most – used information source was contact farmers, followed by the
State department of extension staff, and then television and radio. Singh et al (2003) interviewed 80 farmers in
Harayana and found that progressive farmers were the most frequently accessed information source. Small
farmers cited market prices, weather information, information on diseases and plant protection, and seed
information as their top needs (Mittal et al., 2010). Using the Indian NSSO(2005) survey, Adhiguru et al (2009)
showed that small and marginal farmers accessed less information and from fewer sources than medium and
large scale farmers.
Utilization of Information
Utilization refers to the actual systematic implementation of a scientifically sound, research-based
innovation with an accompanying process to access the outcome(s) of the change.
(http://stti.awards.confex.com). To access, assess, and apply the content of information, users must have
economic resources, including money, skills and technology, and social resources, such as motivation, trust,
confidence, and knowledge (Heeks, 2005). Individuals must be able not only to access that content, assess its
relevance, and apply it to a specific decision, but ultimately to act upon the information. This requires further
resources and capacity. For example, content may be available to a community, but it may not be accessed
because of, for instance, low levels of literacy, or it may be accessed but not acted upon because of poor
financial capacity to buy the necessary inputs. Some studies have shown that farmers who have access to
information technology are more likely to participate in agricultural and rural development programmes and
other political, social and cultural practices (Anastasios et al., 2010). According to Coudel and Tonneau (2010),
information may seem appropriate, usable, relevant, but it can only be useful if the actors have the capacity to
use it and if their environment offers them the opportunity to use it.
Rice Information needs, Access and Utilization
Since developing appropriate educational and marketing strategies for farmers will need to reflect how
farmers groups differ in their information search behaviour, a better understanding of farmers’ agricultural
information needs and information search behaviour could help extension and other agricultural programmes to
better target specific groups of farmers. This has important implications for extension programmes, particularly
where information failures in public-sector extension systems (such as limited feedback and reach to farmers)
has reduced content relevance and thus extension impact (Anderson and Feder, 2007).
Tologbonse, et tal (2008) carried a study of information need of rice farmers community in Niger State
and disclosed that majority of farmers (89.9%) need information about the crop production. This is similar to the
findings of Wesseler and Brinkman (2002) that asserted that information needs of rice farmers are centered on
production. About 75% are interested in information on soil and land management and 67% interested in
information related to agricultural and rural credit. Meitei and Devi (2009) conducted the study of farmers’
community in Manipur State. This study shows that majority of farmers did not access to information for their
activities. Further, they emphasized that ICT based agricultural information support systems be developed.
Published studies on farmers’ information needs and preferences are limited in developing countries. In
Africa, farmers information sources and information needs have been analyzed (Aina, 2006), and a number of
studies have examined the factors that influence farmers search strategies ( Okwu and Dauda , 2011) , Opara
(2010) and Adolwa, et tal (2010). In India, for example, where more than half the population is dependent on
agriculture and allied activities, improved knowledge delivery to farmers is needed, to support sustainable farm
productivity. An analysis of the Indian NSSO (2005) survey showed that small and marginal farmers accessed
less information, and from fewer sources, than medium and large-scale farmers (Adhiguru, et tal., 2009). Studies
like this show the heterogeneity of farmer access and use of information.
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Farmers are clearly not a homogenous group, and understanding the specific factors that influence their
information source selection, access and use is a first step toward better targeting of extension programmes and
advisory services that facilitate information sharing. However, a majority of published literature that examined
the factors that affect farmers’ information search behaviours, and the factors that influence farmers’ use of
different information sources, comes from studies in developed countries (Suresh, et tal., 2012). According to
Tologbonse (2008), majority (72.2%) of the rice farmers usually access information from the extension agents
followed by friends/fellow farmers (26.7%). The high percentage (72.7%) of farmers seeking for information
from the extension agent tend to give credence to personal contact as a preferred communication medium.
This is in agreement to the findings of (Tologbonse and Adekunle, 2000; Tologbonse, 2002) that
extension agents are important sources of agricultural information. In a study conducted by Tiamiyu, et tal
(2009), the mean technology use score of the whole sample was 52% indicating that rice farmers adopt about
half of the complementary technology on the average. 45% of the sample farmers scored above the mean
showing that majority of the sample farmers (55%) belongs to low technology adopters. This means that the
adoption of technology had not made an appreciable headway and traditional methods of rice cultivation still
dominate the production system. This low level of technology adoption may be responsible for the relative low
yield of 147kg/ha obtained by the sampled farmers compared with the average of 2100kgvv /ha obtained from
NERICA rice trials conducted in 21 States by the National Rice/Maize Centre (Erensein et tal., 2004 ). In this
study the mean yield for low technology users was 1212kg/ha while it was 1786kg/ha for high technology
category. Study conducted by Tologbonse (2008) indicated that major constraints faced by rice farmers include
lack of funds to obtain information (54.3%) and language barrier (50.5%). Other constraints encountered are
outdated information (36%) and presentation/poor format of information (33.9%).
Conclusion
Therefore, all effort and attention geared toward agricultural production by government and non-
governmental organizations must take cognizance of the importance of information needs of the rice farmers,
access and utilization of same in order to meet the ever increasing challenges of food security and alleviation of
poverty for a stable economy. This is because the success of our agricultural economy largely depends on these
and should be seen as such and must be taken seriously. Otherwise is a waste of both human and material
resource investment.
Recommendations
The following recommendations are given to effect transformation in rice production if considered:
Agricultural extension agencies should take note of the information needs of rice farmers particularly in
areas of pesticides, fertilizers, and improved farm implements and try to step up their services in these areas of
need.
Farmers’ adult literacy education programme is required to help them acquire basic skills and abilities
to seek and receive needed agricultural information through modern communication channels such as mass
media, extension agents, e.t.c.
Government should encourage and assist rice farmers by giving them special attention in terms of
access to needed farm inputs. New farming implements which will reduce drudgery and are affordable should be
made available to them and at appropriate time and seasons.
Rice farmers should be considered in terms of granting loans to help boost their production capacity to
ensure food security not only in their domain but in Nigeria as a nation.
Finally, ICT-based agricultural information delivery support system should be developed to encourage
modern production technology adoption by farmers.
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