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.     

A Review of “The Heirloom Tomato: From Garden to Table Recipes,Portraits, and History of the World's Most Beautiful Fruit”

This study examined wetland farming systems in Edo State, Nigeria, with specific focus on practitioners’ response to Fadama technologies, as well as factors that might promote adoption behavior. Primary data were sourced from 301 wetland farmers across the three political districts in the state. Responses were analyzed using frequency distribution and multiple regression. Fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and improved varieties were the most adopted technologies; cost was the most serious constraint to adoption. The average earnings derived from wetland farming enterprises were 291,400.28 (US$1,942.60) per annum. Important determinants of wetland farming technology adoption by farmers include education, contact with extension agents, revenue, and credit. The study recommends an improvement in Fadama farmers’ access to credit and extension services.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Assessment of Agricultural Extension Agents’ Marketing-Related Services: Implications for Policy Makers in Ekiti State,Nigeria

This study assessed the marketing-related services performed by agricultural extension agents in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data were collected from agricultural extension agents in the service of the State Agricultural Development Program. A questionnaire was administered to the agents during the fortnightly training meeting. Data were summarized with frequency, mean and percentages, correlation and regression analysis. Results of the study showed that the mean age of the agents was 39 years and the mean working experience was 9 years. A significant relationship exists between the perceived legitimate marketing-related services and the performed services (r = 0.413). Performed marketing-related services significantly correlate with qualification of the agents (r = 0.324), working experience (r = 0.301), number of farmers visited and transportation (r = 0.281, 0.280), respectively. The study concluded that policy makers should include agricultural marketing specialists in fortnightly training.     

Mitigating soil erosion through farm-level adoption of soil and water conservation measures in Samanalawewa Watershed,Sri Lanka

Abstract

Soil erosion by water is currently one of the most notable types of land degradation in Samanalawewa Watershed in Sri Lanka, creating copious environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Thus, with the aim of detecting and mapping the rates of human-induced soil erosion in the watershed, remote sensing and geographic information system based modelling and field experiments were carried out. The results of the assessment disclosed that the present rate of human-induced soil erosion varies from 0 to 289 t ha^?1 yr^?1 with the majority of the area exceeding the natural rate of soil erosion by 14 to 33 times at present. However, the average rate of human-induced soil erosion has declined dramatically from 19.8 to 4.3 t ha^?1 yr^?1 from 1986 to 2008. In order to analyse the significant determinants of farm-level adoption of soil and water conservation measures, binary logistic regression procedure was applied using the data collected through a household survey (n = 201). The most significant (p<0.01) variables of the study were the farmers’ perceptions of soil erosion problems, gender of the household head, training on soil and water conservation, and ascertained advice from agricultural extension officers while the variables regarding past awareness about soil conservation technologies and off-farm income were significant at p<0.05. Furthermore, the study revealed that the majority (60.2%) of the farmers in the study area had been adopting different types of soil and water conservation measures for a prolonged period of time. Therefore, owing to the current decreasing rate of soil erosion, the soil and water conservation costs and the ratios of human-induced soil erosion vs natural soil erosion had declined significantly while the productivity of their lands had gone up.     

Enhancing Household Food Security Under Changing Climatic Conditions: A Case Study of Gokwe North and Hurungwe Districts in Zimbabwe

The effects of climate change are largely felt by smallholder farmers in southern Africa who rely on rain-fed agricultural production. This study used data from a cross-sectional household to investigate the factors that influence a household's adaptive capacity. Results show that there is a positive and statistically significant correlation between receiving information on crop production (p <.01), access to early warning information (p <.01 and adaptive capacity. Without adaptation, it is impossible for smallholder farmers to enhance food security. The study recommends that there is need to improve farmers' knowledge of climate change adaptation technologies and access to early warning information.     

Assessment of farmers’ perceptions of production constraints,and their trait preferences of sorghum in western Ethiopia: implications for anthracnose resistance breeding

Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is an important food security crop widely grown by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Ethiopia. In SSA, the potential of sorghum production and productivity has not been realised due to an array of constraints. Colletotrichum sublineolum disease is one of the main biotic constraints causing significant yield losses. The objectives of this study were to assess farmers’ perception, preferences and constraints to sorghum production and productivity in western Ethiopia, and to identify key drivers for anthracnose resistance breeding. A participatory rural appraisal study was undertaken in six selected districts in the East Wellega and West Shewa Administrative Zones in Ethiopia. Data were collected through structured questionnaires involving 165 respondent farmers. Further focus group discussions were held with 180 farmers and development agents. Sorghum is the third most preferred cereal crop after Eragrostis tef and Zea mays in western Ethiopia. About 79% of interviewed farmers cultivated sorghum during the study season. Farmers perceived that sorghum production is constrained by anthracnose disease, bird attack, loose smut and covered smut diseases. The most important farmer-preferred traits in sorghum varieties in the study areas were anthracnose resistance and tolerance to bird attack. Breeding sorghum varieties with the farmer-preferred traits is an important consideration to enhance productivity and adoption of improved sorghum cultivars in western Ethiopia.     

Analysis of Market Information Sources for Agricultural Transformation Among Cassava Farmers in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State,Nigeria

This study investigated sources of market information among cassava farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was employed; data were collected through an interview schedule and described and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and chi-square. Results showed that the majority of the cassava farmers were male and married, had no formal education, and sourced market information from middlemen. There was a significant relationship between respondents’ personal characteristics, such as tribe and primary occupation (χ² = 34.360, χ² = 43.203), and market information sources. Market information should be disseminated using local languages preferred by cassava farmers and be reliable, timely, and relevant.     

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.     

Awareness and Use of Information Communication Technologies by Farmers in Oyo State,Nigeria

Due to inadequate personnel, information communication technologies (ICTs) have become an attractive option for delivery of extension information. This study examined awareness and use of ICTs by farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of 192 farmers were interviewed. Results indicate that most farmers had no formal education and small farm holdings. Awareness of older ICTs like radio and television was more prevalent among farmers as compared with newer ICTs such as Internet and cable television. However, use of modern ICTs like mobile phones and cable television was greater than that for older technologies such as fax machines. Farmers were constrained in ICT use by prohibitive cost and service failure. The Nigerian government should encourage a liberal policy for affordable prices for modern ICT products, especially mobile telephones.     

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%).     

Factors Influencing Use of Traditional Communication Methods in Information Dissemination Among Farmers in Osun State,Nigeria

Critical factors influencing farmers’ use of traditional communication methods (TCMs) in information dissemination were isolated with a factor analytical technique. The results show that most of the farmers were between 31 and 60 years and the majority (63%) employ use of TCMs such as proverbs, hooting, putting leaves on path, and use of palm fronds to deliver information at a moderate level. The features of TCMs, farmers’ personal characteristics, economic proficiency, and influence of social contact were factors influencing use of TCMs. It was concluded that use of TCMs is influenced by their peculiarities in discerning information and the user's personal and socioeconomic characteristics.     

Behaviour of smallholder farmers towards adoption of conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe

Conservation agriculture is critical to sustainably increasing agricultural productivity, enhancing climate resilience and food security. Much research on adoption of conservation agriculture has focused on its agronomic benefits, but little attention has been paid to the contribution of the behaviour of farmers over its adoption. To close this gap, a study was carried out to investigate the behaviour of smallholder farmers towards the adoption of conservation agriculture in Chivi, Murehwa and Mutoko districts, Zimbabwe. Data were collected through a pre‐tested questionnaire administered to 360 farmers, selected through a multi‐stage sampling process. This method was triangulated through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and personal observations. Data were analysed using percentages, means and inferential statistics. The results show that, although fewer than 10% of the respondents had received any formal training in agriculture, more than 80% of them relied on it for their major source of income. The respondents had high levels of knowledge on the social, environmental and economic benefits of conservation agriculture. However, the majority of the non‐adopters had an indifferent perception towards conservation agriculture. The knowledge and perception of the farmers was explained by age, gender, education and experience with conservation agriculture. Results also show a weak but significant correlation between knowledge and perception (R_s = 0.306, p < 0.05), knowledge and adoption (R_s = 0.484, p < 0.05) but a strong and significant correlation between perception and adoption (R_s = 0.808, p < 0.05). Addressing perception gaps is key to enhance adoption of conservation agriculture.