scholarly journals HORTICULTURAL FARMERS’ ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION INFORMATION ON POST-HARVEST TECHNOLOGY IN KOMBO CENTRAL AND NORTH, WEST COAST REGION, THE GAMBIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-39
Author(s):  
Lamin K M Fatty ◽  
Prof. Idu Ogbe Ode ◽  
Bejamin Gowon Ahule
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
North West ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Coast Region

The study examines agricultural extension services and post-harvest technology of horticultural crop produce for smallholder farmers in Kombo Central and North, West Coast Region of The Gambia. The instruments designed to gather the primary data include; structured interview and focus group discussions (FGD) supported by secondary data using official documents and key informant interview for verification. The target population consisted of 398 respondents, 10 extension officers and three extension agent heads. The data was quantitatively analyzed using percentages and frequency distribution tables. The results show that the current horticultural post-harvest loss management and access to relevant information from the extension agents is inadequate, no/uneasy access to available market, poor road conditions, inadequate available facilities for post-harvest produce, and low support services from the authorities. The research comes out with the following recommendations; the need for continued research, effective and efficient communication to the farmers, availability of horticultural production and post-harvest handling information, and special extension agents training on post-harvest practices. Provision of storage and processing facilities in the vicinity of the farms as crucial, road improvement in the study areas and creating better improvement conditions for the extension agents. Keywords: Agriculture Extension Services, Post-Harvest Technology, Smallholder Farmer, West Coast Region, The Gambia, Horticulture Crop Produce, Kombo Central and North

scholarly journals THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES MODE OF OPERATION IN HORTICULTURAL SCHEMES IN WEST COAST REGION IN KOMBO CENTRAL AND NORTH OF THE GAMBIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-57
Author(s):  
Lamin K M Fatty ◽  
Prof. Idu Ogbe Ode ◽  
Igbana Ajir
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Mode Of Operation ◽  
Coast Region

The study assesses agricultural extension services mode of operation in horticultural farms for smallholder farmers in Kombo Central and North, West Coast Region of The Gambia. The instruments designed to gather the primary data include; structured interview and focus group discussions (FGD) supported by secondary data using official documents and key informant interview for verification. The target population consisted of 398 respondents, 10 extension officers and three extension agent heads. The data was quantitatively analyzed using percentages, frequency distribution tables, t-test, chi-squared test correlation and factorial analysis. Qualitative data from the in-depth interviews were also analyzed and presented appropriately. It was found that the variables on the influence of extension services (availability of AES, extension visit, farm size, marital status, experience in farming, education, farm group, transportation, post-harvest technology training and distance to market) are significantly associated with the horticultural smallholder farmers post-harvest losses. It means that there is a significant relationship between extension availability and post-harvest handling at p < 0.05 level of significance. The research comes out with the following recommendations; the need for continued research, development and investment programmes in extension, effective and efficient communication to the farmers, availability of horticultural production, government policy aimed at training and developing farmer capacity in appropriate monitoring systems of extension services, road improvement in the study areas and creating better improvement conditions for the extension agents. The study proves the need to improve the living conditions of services for extension services and availability of extension officers at a regular base with appropriate knowledge and skills. Keywords: Agricultural Extension Services, mode of Operation in horticultural Schemes, West Coast Region, Kombo Central, North, The Gambia.

scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES TO MINIMIZE POST-HARVEST LOSSES OF HORTICULTURAL CROP PRODUCE WEST COAST REGION OF THE GAMBIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-25
Author(s):  
Lamin K M Fatty ◽  
Prof. Idu Ogbe Ode ◽  
Bejamin Gowon Ahule
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Horticultural Crop ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Investment Programme ◽  
Sampling Procedures ◽  
Coast Region

The study examines agricultural extension services and post-harvest technology of horticultural crop produce for smallholder farmers in West Coast Region of The Gambia. The objective of the study is to examine the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in minimizing post-harvest losses of horticultural crop produce. The instruments designed to gather the primary data include; structured interview and focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interview supported by secondary data using official documents. The sample population consisted of three hundred and ninety-eight (398) respondents using a minimum sample calculation of Taro Yamane in which ten extension officers (10) and two extension agent heads (2) as key informants for a period of three months from September to November 2017. This study employs cluster, purposive and simple random sampling procedures to draw its population. The data was quantitatively analyzed using SPSS to run percentages, frequency distribution tables, t-test, chi-squared correlation test and factorial analysis. Qualitative data from the in-depth interviews and FGDs were also analyzed and presented appropriately. The findings of the study showed that extension services are not very much effective or proactive to post-harvest loss reduction in this region.  The study recommends there is the need for continued research, development and investment programme in both extension and post-harvest technologies, effective and efficient communication to the farmers, special extension agents training on post-harvest practices among others. Keywords: Agricultural Extension Services, Effectiveness, Post-Harvest Losses, Horticultural Crop Produce, Smallholder Farmer, The Gambia

scholarly journals Assessment of Agricultural Advisory Messages from Farmer-to-Farmer in Making a Case for Scaling Up Production: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana Afranaa Kwapong ◽  
Daniel Ankrah ◽  
Dominic Boateng-Gyambiby ◽  
Joseph Asenso-Agyemang ◽  
Lydia Oteng Fening
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Group Formation ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Study Approach

Inadequate access to agricultural extension services often results in poor farm practices, affecting yields and subsequently the income and wellbeing of smallholder farmers. Given the high demand for agricultural information and the limited capacity of extension services, a farmer-to-farmer extension approach has been explored by many underserved farmers. In this study, we use a qualitative case study approach explore how cassava farmers who had limited access to agricultural advisory services from public extension agents managed to up-scale their farming business. Our research question was: what lessons can be learned from the lived experience of these farmers to address current challenges of cassava farming? The results of our study revealed diversity in advisory messages from farmer to farmer and agricultural extension agents. Farmers’ messages focused on encouraging farmers’ commitment and motivation towards farming business, availability of needed financial resources for the entire production season, willingness to reinvest profits, and access to farmland for future expansion. In contrast, the traditional messages from agricultural extension agents focused on encouraging group formation to address marketing challenges, diversification of farm operations, and good agricultural practices. These results show the need for pluralistic extension approaches to ensure farmers get access to necessary information.

scholarly journals Agricultural extension agents’ education and turnover intentions in public extension services in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mideksa F. Jilito ◽  
Desalegn Y. Wedajo
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Work Motivation ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
New Knowledge

Agricultural extension agents provide informal education to equip farmers with new knowledge and skills. They play critical roles for the transfer of agricultural knowledge, technologies, and innovations. However, most of them dissatisfied and intend to find other employment in Ethiopia. Thus, this study was conducted to examine agricultural extension agents’ education, perceptions towards job satisfaction, and turnover intention in public agricultural extension services in Ethiopia. The sample frame was the list of all first, second, and third-year mid-career students joined Haramaya University to upgrade their educational qualification. Total 123 extension agents were involved in the study. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that about 89.40% of extension agents acquired new knowledge, skills, practices, and attitudinal change during attending their education at Haramaya University. Results also showed that extension agents were dissatisfied with their current job and organization in terms of payment, promotion, benefits, and recognition. Furthermore, survey results indicate that about 68.3% of extension agents intended to leave their current position and extension organization after completing a Bachelor of Science degree. Therefore, government, private sectors and other stakeholders who work in extension organizations should work on the education and training programs, work motivation, and job satisfaction of agricultural extension agents by designing various incentive packages to increase their work motivation and reduce turnover intentions. 

scholarly journals Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in West Coast Region of The Gambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 585-592
Author(s):  
Alphonsus Isara ◽  
Aru-Kumba Baldeh
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Age Group ◽  
The West ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoea ◽  
Coast Region

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are the second most common cause of healthy life years lost by women in the 15 – 44 years age group in Africa. Aim/Objective: To determine the prevalence of STIs among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) clinics in the West Coast Region of The Gambia. Materials and Methods: Blood, urine, and high vaginal swabs samples from 280 pregnant women attending ANC in Brika- ma District Hospital, Brikama, and Bandung Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Bandung were examined. Serum samples were tested for HIV using western blot technique and for syphilis using the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, and rapid plasma regimen. Candida albicans, Group B Streptococcus and Neisseria gonorrhoea were identified using Analytical Profile Index (API). Direct urine microscopy was used to identify C. albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis while Chlamydia trachomatis was identified using Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) test. Results: The overall prevalence of STIs was 53.6%. The pathogenic agents isolated were Candida albicans (31.8%), Strep- tococcus agalactiae (15.0%), Treponema pallidum (6.8%), HIV (5.7%), Trichomonas vaginalis (3.9%), Neisseria gonorrhoea (1.8%) and Chlamydia trachomatis (0.7%). STIs were more prevalent among women in the younger age group of 15 – 24 years (54.7%), unemployed (54.0%), Primipara (62.3%), and in the third trimester of pregnancy (72.7%). Conclusion: A high prevalence of STIs was found among pregnant women attending ANC in the West Coast region of The Gambia. Public health intervention programmes should be strengthened to promote the sexual and reproductive health of pregnant women in The Gambia. Keywords: Sexually transmitted infections; pregnant women; antenatal clinics; The Gambia.

scholarly journals Smallholder farmers willingness to pay for privatized agricultural extension services in Tigray National Regional State, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
Kidane Tesfay Gebreegziabher ◽  
Gidey Kidu Mezgebo
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Extension Service ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Agricultural Extension Service

This study assessed farmers’ willingness to pay for privatization of agricultural extension services and examined factors that determine willingness to pay for those services. Multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 240 households. Data were collected using household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview tools. Data were analyzed using percentage and logit model. Results showed that 58% of the respondents were willing to pay for the privatization of agricultural extension services. Farm size, age, family size, credit access, frequency of extension contact and income were significantly influenced farmers’ willingness to pay for privatization of agricultural extension services. Privatization of agricultural extension services encourages graduates of agricultural sciences to launch consultancy firms and this engenders professional entrepreneurship. Number of visits, socioeconomic, and institutional factors must be given emphasis for privatizing the agricultural extension service in Ethiopia. Moreover, government should launch privatization parallel to the public agricultural extension services Keywords: Agricultural extension service, willingness, privatization. Ethiopia

scholarly journals BPP UTILIZATION BY FARMERS TO SUPPORT INDONESIA AS BARNS THE WORLD

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (02) ◽  
pp. 121-126
Author(s):  
Iranita Haryono ◽  
Astrini Padapi ◽  
Ayu Wulandary
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Extension Programs ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Extension Center

One of the efforts to achieve national food security is by strengthening assistance and counseling to farmers as the main actors. One of the extension links closest to the community and located at the sub-district level is the Peratanian Extension Center (BPP). The function and role of BPP is developed to achieve the desired expectations, namely food self-sufficiency and improvement of farmer welfare. Therefore, there is a need for a special study to be able to determine the level of responsiveness, responsibility and quality of agricultural extension services carried out by the BPP in Sidenreng Rappang Regency. This reserch aims to determine the performance of agricultural extension agents in Sidenreng Rappang Regency in terms of the level of accountability of agricultural extension activities based on indicators of responsiveness, responsibility and quality of extension services. The research was conducted from July to October in Sidenreng Rappang Regency. This research used a survey method. Determination of the sample of this study was carried out purposively on extension workers at the local BPP. Data collected descriptively by cross tabulation. Data analysis used scoring parameters, proportion, maximum, minimum and average values. The results show that the agricultural instructor's Performance Score is 294 which is interpreted into a moderate category score, which means that the ability of the BPP is sufficient to be able to recognize the needs of the assisted farmers, is sufficient to develop extension programs / activities that are in accordance with the wishes / aspirations of local farmers, and sufficient in providing service to farmers.

scholarly journals High faecal carriage of multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae and other gram negative strains among food handlers in Cosmopolitan Cities of The Gambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-189
Author(s):  
Bakary Sanneh ◽  
Ollie Diane Riley ◽  
Haruna S. Jallow ◽  
Abou Kebbeh ◽  
Yaya Camara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
West Coast ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Fecal Carriage ◽  
Coast Region

The introductions of advanced antibiotics have triggered complex versions of resistant genes in gram-negative bacteria. In a generation witness limited discovery of antibiotics makes this phenomenon a major public health threat. This study aims to establish the fecal carriage rate of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains among food handlers. Data was extracted from a prospective cross-sectional study – ‘Prevalence and risk factors of fecal carriage of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae amongst food handlers in Lower Basic Schools in West Coast region of The Gambia. The study enrolled 600 randomly selected food handlers (565 of which had complete data set) from 60 lower basic schools in 7 districts in the West Coast Region of The Gambia. Stool samples were collected from the participants and screened for resistance to cefotaxim. Isolated organisms were further tested for susceptibility to cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones and other families of antimicrobials as per Clinical Standard Laboratory Institute guidelines. The association of risk factors to fecal carriage of resistant Enterobacteriacea was performed using Pearson Chi squared and fishers exact (P<0.05). Results confirmed that the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae by resistance to cefotaxime was 15.8%. 23 genus and 89 species of resistant strains were isolated. All isolates were 100% resistant to cephalosporins such as ceftriazone, cefotaxime and cefuroxime, except ceftazidime (92%). Resistance to ciprofloxacin (fluoroquinolone) was measured at 50%. Only 1.2% was resistant to imipenem (carbapenem). Most isolates were resistant to ampicillin, nitrofurantoine, erythromycin, tetracycline and cotrimaxole. Majority of the identified Enterobacteriaceae were Enterobacter aerogene (14%), Klebsiella pneumoniea (12%) and Escherichia coli (7%). This study found a high prevalence of fecal carriage multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae among food handlers, mostly women, in The Gambia. The irrational prescription and use of antibiotics is a major risk factor for the proliferation of antibiotic resistance. Well-conducted surveillance is essential to implement effective control measures for the spread of antibiotic resistance urgently receommended.

scholarly journals The Impact of Livestock Extension on the Livelihood of Mbororo Fulani Women in the North West Region of Cameroon

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 666
Author(s):  
Loveline Enjoh Forbang ◽  
Tohnian Nobert Lengha ◽  
Fonteh Athanasius Amungwa
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Data ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
West Region ◽  
Livestock Sector ◽  
The Impact

Mbororo Fulani women are experiencing transformation in their livelihood through livestock farming. This paper investigates the contributions of livestock farming to the wellbeing of the Mbororo Fulani women of the North West region of Cameroon. Mbororo women in the North West region play different roles to contribute to the growth of the livestock sector in Cameroon but lack technological knowledge and extension services to improve on their livestock activities. The study used primary data gotten through structured questionnaires and secondary data from journals, books and work from other researchers. The simple random sampling was used to select 400 Mbororo women for the study and SPSS was used for data analysis. The study reveals that 61% of Mbororo women are engage in livestock farming. 20.4% of the women keep different categories of livestock extension (sheep, goat, poultry etc). 89% of the women do livestock farming for income generation and as a means to increase proteins needs for their families. Therefore, livestock is an important source of revenue to Mbororo Fulani women in the North West region of Cameroon thus Cameroon government should put more efforts to assist these Mbororo women in livestock farming by providing them with modern innovations through extension services and resources needed to expand on livestock farming.

scholarly journals Pro-Civil Society Empowerment Programs of Fishermen in the West Coast Region of Buleleng Regency

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 382
Author(s):  
I Nyoman Sukraaliawan ◽  
A.A. Ngurah Anom Kumbara ◽  
A.A. Bagus Wirawan ◽  
I Gde Made Metera
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Community Empowerment ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Fishing Communities ◽  
Fishing Community ◽  
The West ◽  
Observation Methods ◽  
The Government ◽  
Coast Region

The marine area of the west coast of Buleleng Regency has great potential for fisheries and marine affairs which, if managed properly, will be able to provide welfare for people who depend on the fisheries and marine sectors such as fishing communities. However, the reality is that there are still many fishermen who are in poverty so this is an irony for an area that has rich marine potential but the condition of the fishing community is still in the shackles of poverty so that policies or empowerment programs that are more pro-civil society are needed. This research was conducted to find out some of the actions of empowering fishing communities in the West Coast Region of Buleleng Regency, so that they can be useful both theoretically and practically. Data collection methods were carried out through interviews with several informants to obtain primary data and also through observation methods and document studies. Data analysis will be carried out using qualitative analysis, namely organizing data, sorting it into manageable units, synthesizing it, looking for and finding patterns, so that a conclusion is obtained. The research revealed that the sectoral government has implemented several actions that are part of the coastal community empowerment program including fishermen through several activities, namely strengthening the entrepreneurial culture of fishermen, strengthening fishermen's institutions, strengthening participation, strengthening fishermen's capital and through providing revolving capital assistance, as well as infrastructure assistance. As a result, fishing communities can experience positive benefits from empowerment efforts such as increasing fishery and non-fishery business diversification and wider fishing range so that it can affect the socio-economic conditions of fishermen who are getting better. It can be suggested to the related parties, that the fishing community should be provided with fisherman business capital assistance by the government through financial institutions that are no longer considered burdensome to fishermen, such as the necessity of guarantees or collateral in the form of certificates or BPKB when obtaining fisherman business credits that have been This is a complaint of the fishing community, especially the small fishermen.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document