bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF FARMERS’ PERCEPTION OF RECOMMENDED EXTENSION PACKAGES ON SELECTED CROPS IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Babaji, A. U.  , Danwanka, H. A.  , Iliyasu, Y.  
Published: April 2023

The study analyses farmers’ perception of recommended extension packages on selected crops in Yobe State, Nigeria. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select 230 respondents for the study. Structured questionnaire were used to elicit information from the respondents. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The respondents were within the mean age of 36 years, with the mean house hold size of 5 persons. The respondents had the mean farm size of 2 ha and the mean farming experience of 16 years. Majority (87.0%) of the respondents were male. Majority (48.5%) of the respondents in the study area were contacted and taught by extension agents based on group teaching method. Majority (56.1%) of the farmers expressed opinions that administrations of agricultural extension activities in the study area were either very effective or effective. Most (71%) on average of the respondents used the nine (9) improved farm practices introduced to them frequently. Most (82.6%), (90.9%) and (80.9%) of the respondents had increase in yield of sorghum, millet and cowpea, respectively. Majority (40.0%) of the respondents in the study area had participated in project meeting and field days and majority (56.1%) of the respondents were visited once a month by the extension agent. The result of multiple regression analysis showed that variables such as farmers’ age, farm size, level of education, visit by extension personnel, participation in project activities, farming experience and household size were positive and significantly influence the level adoption to extension recommendations at ( p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.01), respectively. Majority (61.8%) of the respondents discovered that lack of necessary inputs were the most serious problems responsible for some farmers in the study area not adopting the improved farm practice introduced to them. The study, therefore, concludes that agricultural extension activities were found effective in the study area and the adoption of improved farm practices introduced to the farmers by the agricultural extension agents led to increase in sorghum, millet, and cowpea productivity in the study area. Based on this study, it was recommended that, Government should provide the farm inputs to farmers at subsidized prices and at the right time.
EFFECT OF WORK-FAMILY CONFLICT FACTORS ON EMPLOYEES’ INTENTION TO QUIT JOB IN OGUN-OSHUN RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Joshua, Y.  , Bolarinwa, K. K.  , Alabi, O. S.  , Tarki, S. K.  
Published: April 2023

The study examined the effect of work-family conflict factors on employees’ intension to quit job in Ogun-oshun river basin development authority Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 110 respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used to analyze the data. Results showed that the organization was dominated by males (51.8%) while majority (33.6%) fell below 30 years of age. Majority (77.3%) of the respondents were Christians while 58.2% were married and all the respondents had a form of tertiary education. About 22.7% of the respondents earned a monthly income above ₦70, 000 and 50.9% of them had within 1-5 years of work experience. The findings also showed that the major influence of strain on the employee is coming home too tired to do some of the things they‘d like to do ( = 2.66), workers feeling they are working too hard on their job ( = 2.49). The major influence of time was that employees had to change their plan of family activities due to work related duties ( = 2.99), and their work takes up time they would like to spend with their family ( = 2.93). The major level of agreement for intention to quit is most of the employees are looking for new job ( = 3.02) and they don’t plan to be in the organization longer ( = 3.01). Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between gender (r = -0.252, p<0.05) and intention to quit job, also a significant relationship between time (r = 0.368, p<0.05) and employees’ intention to quit job. It was concluded that gender and time played a significant role in work-family conflict on employees’ intension to quit job’.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF IMPROVED PINEAPPLE PRODUCTION PRACTICES IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Onyemekonwu, R. C.  , Ehiwario, F. A.  , Igene, C. A.  
Published: April 2023

The study focused on the factors influencing the adoption of improved pineapple production practices in Edo State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 80 respondents selected across two agricultural zones in the State. Data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage and mean while Chi-square was used to analyze the hypothesis. The results showed that majority (62.25%) of the respondents were male, belonged to the modal class of 40-45 years, married (45.0%) and educated (61.2%). A higher proportion (45.0%) of the respondents operated a farm size of 3-4 hectares, earned an income range of ₦70,000- ₦79, 000 per annum (22.5%) and belonged to association (73.8%). Factors such as cost of innovation (mean = 2.85), relevance of innovation (mean = 2.77), availability farm inputs associated with the technology (mean = 2.68), timeliness (mean = 2.68), source of the technology (mean = 2.56), cultural acceptability (mean = 2.42) and compatibility with the exiting practices (mean = 2.40) were important factors affecting the adoption of improved pineapple production in the study area. Constraints such as inadequate credit/finance (mean = 3.60), unavailability of improved seeds (mean = 3.46), pest and disease problems (mean = 3.44), labour shortage (mean = 3.44), high cost of farm chemicals (mean = 3.44), land procurement problem (mean = 3.42), inadequate transportation facilities (mean = 3.41), seed procurement problems (mean = 3.41), insufficient preservative/storage facilities (3.36), poor market (mean = 3.33), lack of technical know-how (mean = 3.30), insufficient irrigation facilities (mean = 3.23) and inadequate extension services (3.18) were the major constraints affecting the adoption of improved farm practices in pineapple production. The chi-square result revealed that significant relationship existed between respondents’ sex (χ2 = 5.00), marital status (χ2 = 38.125), level of formal education (χ2 = 21.500), farming experience (χ2 = 31.475), household size (χ2 = 8.450), farm size (χ2 = 27.100), income (χ2 = 25.300), membership of association (χ2 = 18.050) and the adoption of improved farm practices in pineapple production. It was concluded that pineapple production in the study area is constrained by several factors which are capable reducing farmers’ productivity and possibly force them out of production. The study recommends that relevant extension agencies should link farmers with sources of farm inputs and possible of funds.
ASSESSMENT OF HOUSEHOLDS’ FOOD SECURITY AND PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS OF MAIZE FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Ameh, J.  , Oladimeji, Y. U.  , Ouagbabe, O. O.  
Published: April 2023

The study was conducted to assess households’ food security and production constraints of maize farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Primary data through structured questionnaire and interview, administered to randomly select 258 maize farmers from 20 villages and four (4) LGAs of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The research questions were analysed with aid of descriptive statistics, food security index and Tobit regression model. The result indicated that that approximately 62% of the sampled households were food secure. The food security indices for the food secure and insecure households estimated to be 1.84 and 0.47, respectively, while the food security index for the pooled data was 2.10. The value of 1.84 for the food secure household indicates a surplus of 0.84 among the food secured households. The average daily calorie consumption for the food secure household was 4165.63 Kcal, and this implied an excess in calorie consumption of the recommended by 1905.63 Kcal. The regression result showed that the level of food security (P<0.01), output of maize (P<0.01), age of household head (P<0.01), household size (P <0.01), farming experience (P<0.01), and off-farm income (P<0.10) were found to be significantly affecting the food security status of the maize farmers. Inadequate access to credit and storage facilities and low extension service delivery were most critical constraints faced by maize farmers. The study, therefore, recommended that cooperative societies should be encouraged to enable the farmers’ group to have increased access to credit, access to modern farming techniques and access to extension agents.
COSTS AND RETURNS OF SWEET MELON MARKETING IN BAUCHI AND GOMBE STATES, NIGERIA
Authors: Mohammed, S. Y.  , Murtala, N.  , Jibril, S. A.  , Mohammed, S.  
Published: April 2023

The study examined the costs and returns of wholesale and retail sweet melon marketers in Bauchi and Gombe States, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 300 sweet melon and water melon marketers from 18 markets, 135 marketers were selected from Bauchi State and 165 from Gombe State. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The result indicated that wholesale sweet melon marketers received the higher net income of N 629.16 and the total revenue of N 6163.68 in scarcity period, whereas the higher return per capital invested of 0.51 was recorded in surplus period. Inconsistence and poor prices ranked 1st, poor transportation facilities ranked 2nd and perishability of the products ranked 3rd constituted the major problems against sweet melon marketing in the study area. Conclusively, sweet melon marketing was found to be profitable in both wholesale and retail categories in all seasons. The study therefore, recommended that Government and stakeholders should ensure the provision of the above mentioned and encourage the marketers to make better use of such.
UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION BY SOYBEAN FARMERS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Funom, B. C.  , Alegbeleye, G. O  
Published: April 2023

The findings revealed that, at various stages of the farming season, soybean farmers utilized agricultural information on how to harvest soybean (mean = 4.30 and standard deviation [SD] = .640), closely followed by on seed treatment before planting (mean = 4.20 and SD =.600) and on how to control pests and diseases (mean = 4.20 and SD = .775). The study further showed that soybean farmers utilize more agricultural information at the beginning of the farming season, particularly, at the preparation stage (mean = 4.60 and SD =.490) and closely followed by time of harvest (mean = 4.40 and SD =.918). The study also revealed that soybean farmers in Niger State, generally utilized agricultural information (mean = 3.61 and SD = .75) to some extent. However, certain information on how to clean and store soybean to meet standard market requirements (mean = 4.10 and SD = .701); on effective market for soybean (mean = 4.00 and SD = .63) and on pest and disease control (mean = 4.00 and SD = .634) were utilized to a great extent. The study, therefore, recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture at the State and Local Government Area (LGA) levels should adopt strategies that will allow for all inclusive information dissemination to farmers at all stages of soybean farming. Such measures will strengthen the current level of utilization in the study area.
FACTORS AFFECTING AWARENESS OF MAIZE FARMER ON HEALTH RISK OF AGROCHEMICAL USAGE IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Jibrin, S.  , Ajayi, O.  J.  , Salihu, I. T.  , Bello, L. Y.  , Loko, A. I.  
Published: April 2023

The study examined the factors affecting awareness of maize farmers on health risk of agrochemical usage in Niger State, Nigeria. A three stage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting the respondents. To achieve this research objective, a cross- sectional survey of maize farmers in six (6) Local Government areas (LGAs) was carried out on 181 respondents. Descriptive statistics and probit regression method were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that maize farming in the State was dominated by married men with mean age and farming experiences of 43 years and 13 years, respectively. Furthermore, most farmers do not read nor follow agrochemical instruction which might have led to some health challenges like difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and sneezing, and eye problem. The probit result shows that age, sources of information, labour reduces the odds of agrochemical health risk, while increase in farming experience, farm size, membership of association and cost of seed increases the odds of agrochemical health risk awareness. The study concluded that maize farming was dominated by married male farmers who are married and had a mean age of 43 years; also, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, eye problem and sneezing topped the health hazards factors as perceived by the farmers. It was therefore recommended that, awareness campaigns and mass trainings on the use, handling and application of agrochemicals should be encouraged in order to achieve effective and safe use of agrochemicals in the study.
EFFECTS OF SALICYLIC AND BENZOIC ACIDS ON THE MARKETABLE YIELD OF MOISTURE STRESSED TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum L.) AT KADAWA IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
Authors: Isa, H. M.  
Published: April 2023

Moisture stress is one of the abiotic factors affecting crop production in sub-Saharan Africa characterized by erratic rainfall. In order to address this problem, an experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station Farm, Kadawa (11̊ 38ʹ 40.3ʺ N, 8̊ 25ʹ 53.9ʺ E) 498 m elevation above sea level during 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 dry seasons to study the effect of antitranspirants on the yield attributes of moisture stressed tomato. The treatments consisted of two Antitranspirant (Salicylic acid and Benzoic acid) at four concentrations each (0, 200, 400 and 600 ppm) and three moisture stress stages (vegetative, flowering and fruit setting), factorially combined and laid out in a split-plot design replicated three times. Antitranspirant and moisture stress constituted the main plot and concentrations as sub-plot treatment. The gross plot size was 3.6 m x 3.0 m (10.8 m2) consisting of 6 rows of 3 m length, while the net plot size was 1.2 m x 1.8 m (2.16 m2) consisting of 2 inner rows. Data were taken on fruit diameter, number of fruits plant-1, average fruit weight, marketable fruit yield, weight of marketable fruit yield and total fruit yield. Data generated were analysed using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). The results revealed that, application of 200 and 400 ppm of antitranspirant produced plants with larger fruit diameter, more number of fruits plant-1 and total fruit yield. On various stages considered, imposing stress at vegetative stage gave significantly higher total fruit yield than other stages implying that flowering and fruiting stages were found to be the critical growth stages for moisture stress of tomato. Study on the antitranspirants revealed that, foliar application of 400 ppm of Salicylic acid at fruit setting stage statistically appeared to promote tomato yield in the study area. The study concluded that salicylic acid performed better than benzoic acid. It was recommended that farmers should be encouraged to use salicylic acid in order to reduce irrigation frequency and to increase yield.
ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ INFORMATION SOURCES UNDER SHELTERBELT PROJECTS IN THE FRONTLINE STATES OF NORTH WESTERN NIGERIA
Authors: Garba, A.  , Muhammad, M. B.  , Usman, I.  , Aliyu, A.  
Published: April 2023

The study analyzed farmers’ information sources under shelterbelt projects in the frontline States of North Western Nigeria. The respondents used were 450. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Mean age of the respondents was 35 years; mean household size was 12 persons; mean farming experience was 12 years; and mean farm size was 6 hectares. About 67% of the respondents were married. Their sources of agricultural information of 29.1% was extension agents, radio accounted for 27.8%, family member (13.3%) and non-governmental organizations/community-based organizations (NGOs/CBOs) occupy 6.7%, print publications (4.4%) and internet (3.1%). Also, extension contact (30.0%), extension agents (25.5%) visited for two times, 18.9% were visited three (3) times, 11.1% were visited four (4) times annually, 7.8% were visited for five (5) times, and 6.7% were visited more than five (5) times annually. The results revealed that 61.1% listened to agricultural program through radio regularly. Majority (72.2%) watched/listened to agricultural program through television once in a week, 18.9% watched/listened twice a week and; 2.2% of the respondents were regular and 6.7% were irregular. Most (40.0%) preferred to radio program as their means of communication. Group meeting (extension agents/farmers) was only 5.1%, agriculture shows/field visit/tours occupy (11.1%) and extension agents interpersonal visit (8.9%), television (7.1%), newspaper and magazine (4.4%); and journals/conference proceedings and the internet services was 2.2%, respectively. The recommended conversion of the shelterbelts to recreational parks and tourism; reducing criminal activities like Indian hemp smoking, theft and kidnapping in the belt; and also, local communities should be allowed to participate in the management and sharing of revenue from the shelterbelts.
EFFECTS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC FEATURES OF MAIZE FARMERS ON THE ADOPTION OF MAIZE (BUNDLED SERVICES) IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Abdullahi, A.  , Tafida, I.  , Kamilu, F.  , Asma’u, M. K.  
Published: April 2023

The study analyzed the adoption of maize (bundled services) in gender perspectives. The study was conducted in Bagwai and Madobi Local Government Areas of Kano State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used for the selection of 120 maize farmers for this study. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires and analytical tools used for this study were descriptive and Logit Regression. The result showed that the average age of the farmers was 39 years and majority of them (83.4%) had formal education with 56% of these farmers had farm sizes of 1-2 hectares. The grand adoption score was found to be 69% which was an indication of high adoption of the bundles by the farmers. Results of the logit regression analysis indicated that, factors such as age (0.003), household size (0.033), and extension contact (0.024) were significant at P≤0.01, P≤0.05, and P≤0.1 levels. The study established that most of the improved maize seeds (bundled services) package was adopted by the farmers as revealed by the grand adoption score, the main bundles adopted were; improved maize seeds, and NPK. It was found that late supply of maize bundles, pest and disease and inadequate supply of all packages of the bundle were the major constraints militating against the adoption of the improved maize seeds (bundled service). Therefore, it was recommended that government should ensure timely and adequate supply of the bundles to the farmers before production season in order to enhance the production of the crop on time.
DETERMINANTS OF TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY IN CROP PRODUCTION AMONG SOME COMMERCIAL CROP FARMERS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Mahmud, H. U.  
Published: April 2023

The study was designed to find out the determinants of technical efficiency in production of some commercial crops in Niger State. Primary data was used for the study. Crop production was found to be inelastic with a decreasing return to scale for the farmers. The distribution and level of technical efficiencies for the farmers examined was found to be 74.2%. There was a significant difference in the technical efficiency level obtained. The determinants of technical efficiency observed in the study were age, household size, education level, farming experience and credit access for the farmers. The result showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the socio-economic factor and technical efficiency in crop production. It further indicated that 3.9% of the total variation in aggregate food crop production by these farmers was due to technical inefficiency. The study concluded that crop farmers are yet to achieve their best, as shown by their low technical efficiency (TE) value and low output levels, thus, calling for critical examination of technical efficiency, as a means of examining the role of higher efficiency level on agricultural output, particularly in the study area.
DETERMINANTS OF YOUTH POULTRY FARMERS’ ADOPTION OF SELECTED BIOSAFETY PRACTICES AGAINST AVIAN-INFLUENZA OUTBREAKS IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Bello, O. G.  , Ahien, A. E.  , Makinta, U.  , Umar, Y. A.  
Published: April 2023

The study examines the socio-economic determinant of youth poultry farmers’ adoption of selected biosecurity practices against avian-influenza (HPAI-A/H5N1) outbreaks in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents were selected through a multistage sampling procedure were used for the study. Majority (75.0%) were married, males (92.5%) with average age of 24 years. Average proportion (50.0%) has secondary education while below average (40.0%) has no formal education. Average monthly income is N26,075.00 and farming experience of 13 years. Mean: household size of 5 persons; flock size of 411 birds; membership of social group (91.7%) and no extension contact (84.2%). The respondents highly practiced vaccination of birds ( x = 1.000), constant cleaning of farm ( x = 1.167), hand washing with soap and water after toileting ( x= 1.492) and cleaning before restocking new birds ( x= 1.625) in cleaning. In the disinfection sub-components only; keeping of farm records ( x= 1.583), disinfection of equipment brought to the farm ( x= 1.667) and constant and periodic disinfection of equipments, poultry house and cloths ( x = 1.792) were highly practices while in segregation and traffic control sub-components, they highly practiced most of the activities except; employee restrictions ( x = 2.250), periodic visitation to ADP Office for training ( x = 2.750) and visitors/vehicle entry cleaning protocols ( x= 3.000). The respondents have high adoption level ( x= 1.832) on the segregation and traffic control, medium level of adoption for cleaning ( x = 2.159) and disinfection shows low level of adoption of the standard biosecurity components ( x= 2.458). Major source of awareness of AI are; Co-farmers/farmers group (79.2%), radio program (73.3%) and family/friends/neighbors (59.2%) among others. The highly severe constraints of the youth poultry farmers were; lack of education, poor extension/veterinary contact, lack of Buffer Areas around the farm site and lack/ poor farm record keeping ( x= 1.000).