Zoonoses and Public Health

The study assessed the communication competence of agricultural extension workers in Benue State, Nigeria. Ninety-three respondents were selected and studied using stratified and random sampling techniques. Data were collected from the use of a well-structured questionnaire. The results obtained revealed that the majority (57%) showed a low level of communication knowledge/skill. Logit regression statistics showed significant effect of respondents’ educational qualification, work experience, and rank (salary grade level) on their communication competence at 5% level of probability. It is therefore recommended that Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority should adequately train their staff so as to correct their low communication knowledge/skill.     

Information Literacy Among the Rural Community in an Economically Backward Region of Karnataka State,India

In India, more than 70% of the population lives in villages and agriculture is the main source of income. A study of the rural community in the Bellary District was undertaken to understand their socioeconomic status; the types, channels and sources of information used; and difficulties faced in utilization of the information. Findings show that the majority of the respondents are youth and have completed at least primary education. Only 10% can read and write English; they are unable to utilize information in languages other than Kannada, their mother tongue. Friends, neighbors, and elders serve as the major source of information; television, mobile phone, and radio are the preferred channels for agricultural information. Rural educated youth should be trained in the latest information technologies and encouraged to collect and disseminate need-based information; rural libraries, equipped with television and Internet connectivity, must impart information literacy skills.     

Electrifying Extension: University of Florida Develops CD-ROM for Agricultural Publications

ABSTRACT

Researchers at the University of Florida have produced a series of CD-ROMs (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) containing many of the publications that the agricultural extension agents use when assisting the public. The CD-ROM product, called FAIRS (Florida Agricultural Information Retrieval System), contains full-text information, color graphics, decision making aids, a database, and line drawings. Discs, issued semi-annually, are numbered sequentially with later discs replacing earlier ones. FAIRS was developed to resolve some of the difficulties county extension agents face in maintaining and controlling print publications. This article describes the development and design of the Florida CD-ROM and assesses the impact of this product on extension agents and librarians. Finally, recommendations for future enhancements to the disc design are given.     

Assessment of Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Information on Selected Food Crops in Iddo District of Oyo State,Nigeria

This study focused on the use of combined media to minimize the time lag for both awareness and adoption of best practices for food crop production in Oyo State, Nigeria. One hundred and eighteen registered farmers in the Iddo District were sampled and interviewed. Results showed that the majority of the farmers were male (83.9%) and married (67.8%), and about one third (27.1%) completed elementary education. Fellow farmers (76.3%), extension agents (63.3%), friends (49.2%), and radio (48.3%) readily served as information sources for farmers. The quantum of agricultural information to which farmers had access was significantly related to varieties of information sources (r = .26, p = .05) used by farmers. The empowerment of elite farmers and capacity strengthening for extension agents are advocated for improved agricultural information dissemination.     

Review of Principles of Cereal Science and Technology, 3rd ed.

ABSTRACT

This study examines small ruminants produced by farmers in the Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 125 respondents for the study. The majority of the respondents were between the ages of 21?40 years—male, married, and Muslim—with no formal education and a primary occupation of farming. Respondents kept an average stock size of 6–10 goats and 1–5 sheep on a free range. Farmers keep small ruminants as a source of income for spreading risks such as crop failure, for slaughter during social ceremonies, and as a measure of social status. Respondents had occasional contacts with extension agents. Constraints experienced by respondents include theft, lack of capital, drugs, and improved feed. Agricultural development programs should provide livestock extension services to small ruminant farmers and support local sanctions by government enforcement agents.     

Training Requirements of Agricultural Extension Officers Using Borich Needs Assessment Model

This study is based on the opinions of selected Iraqi extension workers, regarding the type and amount of training they need, given their experience in the field. The Borich Needs Assessment Model was used for measuring training needs. The data were collected through questionnaires given to 300 respondents (agricultural workers) from January 15, 2016 to March 20, 2016. The results show that crop-planting courses have the greatest benefit. The greatest training need is skill and knowledge of teaching methods, while a moderately needed skill is the use of computer and information and communication technologies (ICT); management skills are the least needed training.     

Thematic Evolutionary Analysis of Core Agricultural and Natural Resource Academic Journals in Iran

ABSTRACT

For a core journal to be developed, fruitful research articles, diversity, and continuity of research topics are essential. The main goal of this study was to trace the thematic evolution (historical development) of agricultural and natural resource academic journals (ANAJs) published by public academic institutions in Iran. To this end, the study analyzed 2,961 articles published from 1905–2003 in all publicly-funded ANAJs in all contributing agricultural and natural resource academic majors (subfields), examining the scientific domain, research subject, research method, citations, impacts, and the aggregation level of journals on academic majors and academic majors on journals. Less than 5% of the articles were qualitative and cited theoretical frameworks. Over 95% were quantitative articles as their publications progressed. Thematically, agronomy and plant breeding, with 31.68%, had the highest aggregation level among academic majors; whereas, agricultural extension and education, with 2.08%, had the lowest.     

A Review of “World Food: Production and Use”

The credibility, reliability, and adequacy of information sources are cardinal to adoption of technologies that increase agricultural productivity. Date palm production in Nigeria is low and, considering its high demand, makes the country a net importer of date to meet local demands.

This study assessed the sources of information on date palm in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 115 date palm farmers. The results show that friends and relatives, extension agents, and radio are the preferred sources of information. The frequency and adequacy of use follow a similar pattern of preference.     

Reindeer in the “Great Land”: Alaska's Red Meat Industry

This study assessed the use of Facebook by farmers and extension agents in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. One Hundred respondents (80 farmers and 20 extension agents) were selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. Research findings revealed that most farmers (56.2%) reported a low level of use of Facebook, while 50% of extension agents made high use of Facebook. Major constraints to using Facebook were poor network services for farmers and power failure for extension agents. Sex, formal education and income had significant effect on the farmers' level of Facebook use. It is therefore recommended that Internet services and electricity be improved in the study area.     

Farmers’ Assessment of Extension Services in Ogun State,Nigeria

This study examined farmers’ assessment of extension services in Ogun State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty respondents were randomly selected and an interview schedule was used to collect data. Frequency distribution, percentages, chi-square, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that more than half of the farmers (55%) fall within the age range of 40–59, most are female (66.7%), 70% have some level of formal education, and the majority (80%) had more than 10 years of experience with more than one farm location. A high percentage (90.0%) had frequent contact with extension agents, but less than half (49.2%) acknowledged extension services to be effective. Extension agents should be equipped with necessary materials and training in order to improve their services.     

Dynamics of Agricultural Information and Effect on Income of Melon Farmers in Enugu-Ezike Agricultural Zone of Enugu State,Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study assessed effects of agricultural information on the income of melon farmers. Ninety melon farmers constituted the sample for the study. Data were collected through an interview average annual income of the respondents from melon only was ?7,455.4, while their total average schedule, while percentage mean score and correlation were used in the analysis. Findings reveal that the monthly income was ?1,223. About 62 and 42% of the respondents, respectively, did not receive information on melon production and general agriculture. Thus, a positive and significant relationship exists between the number of times respondents received information on melon/general agriculture and their incomes.     

Entertainment-Education Strategy Utilization for Agricultural Information Dissemination: Congruency Among Researchers,Extension Agents,and Farmers in Southwestern Nigeria

Several congruency studies exist on agricultural-related issues, but studies on congruency for entertainment-education (EE) utilization for agricultural information dissemination is limited. Congruency among researchers, extension agents, and farmers on the use of EE for agricultural information dissemination was examined. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 161 respondents across respondent categories. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on respondents' perception and estimate of perception of other stakeholders to establish accuracy. Data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation at p = 0.05. Results indicate congruence between researchers' perception and accuracy in establishing extension agents and farmers' opinion about media environment. A similar result was obtained for congruence between farmers' perception and other stakeholders' position on media environment. Congruence between extension agents, researchers, and farmers was accurate for infrastructural factors. Given the accurate predictions of each other's disposition to key variables, EE should be further exploited for agricultural information dissemination.     

Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Among Private Agricultural Organization Workers in Oyo State,Nigeria

This study was designed to investigate the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among private agricultural organization workers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. One hundred and five respondents were randomly sampled for the study. Frequency counts, percentages, chi-square, Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC), and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in analyzing the data. Findings revealed that respondents’ age is significantly related to the use of ICTs and that age and marital status are significantly related to attitude toward use of ICTs. In addition, the study revealed that respondents’ age was significantly related to the benefits derived from the use of ICTs. Recommendations include a better supply of electricity, periodic training and continuous retraining of workers in the use of ICTs, and the creation and enforcement of government policies that will bring about sustainable use of ICTs for agricultural development.     

Effect of Information Communication Technology on Agricultural Information Access Among Researchers,Extension Agents,and Farmers in South Western Nigeria

This study compared researchers, extension agents, and farmers’ perceptions of the effect of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on agricultural information access. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 88 researchers, 115 extension agents, and 271 farmers. Data collected through a structured questionnaire were analyzed using means, standard deviation, and one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that, of the 29 statements on the rating scale, researchers, extension agents, and farmers agreed with and were positively disposed to 25, 23, and 19, respectively. A significant difference in the effect of ICT on agricultural information access among researchers, extension agents, and farmers (F = 6.49, p < .05) was observed. Access to agricultural information through ICT will continue to improve, since perceptions are overtly positive among researchers, extension agents, and farmers.     

Intercropping Combination and Information Sources Among Kola Farmers in Osun State,Nigeria

Appropriate planting patterns ensure sustained soil fertility and higher productivity for farmers. This study assessed the intercropping crop combinations and information sources of kola farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. Sixty respondents were selected using multistage and purposive random sampling techniques. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire. The arable crops commonly intercropped with kola were plantain/banana, yam, cassava, and maize. Tree crops combined with kola included cocoa, citrus, and oil palm. Co-farmers/friends and radio served as popular sources of information for farmers. Farm size was significantly related to respondents’ information sources on kola intercropping. The authors recommend that the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria's extension personnel make greater use of information sources most frequently used by respondents in order to ensure adequate cropping systems.     

Agricultural Information Needs of Root and Tuber Farmers in the Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State,Nigeria

This study assessed the agricultural information needs of root- and tuber-crop farmers in the Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data were presented using percentages and rankings. The most utilized sources of information on agricultural practices were associations (75.8%), other farmers (70.8%), and extension agents (60.8%). Agricultural information reported as “highly needed” by respondents included marketing procedures, processing and improved planting techniques, and soil management methods. Chi-square test results showed a significant relationship between selected personal characteristics of respondents (gender χ² = 24.9, p < .05; educational status χ² = 10.8, p < .05; marital status χ² = 181.1, p < .05 and household size χ² = 48.6; p < .05) and information needs.     

Principal Areas of Applying Information and Communication Technologies in the Agricultural Extension System of Iran

This study investigated areas for potential application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the agricultural extension system of Iran. Two hundred forty-one extension staff (out of 1,145) in the Ministry of Agriculture were selected and studied as a sample through a stratified random sampling technique. The findings revealed that six factors/components containing 32 variables determined about 68.91% of the variations in the areas of application. The six factors were Management of documentation and preparation of extension information (14.88% of variance), Planning and implementation of extension education programs (13.6%), Professional empowerment of extension agents (10.8%), Expansion of intra-organizational relationships (10.27%), Facilitation of organizational processes (9.7%), and Improving communication through e-mail services (9.64%).