scholarly journals An investigation into the factors facilitating extension services available to fish farmers in Ijebu-Ode agricultural extension zone, Ogun State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-218
Author(s):  
O. J. Olaoye ◽  
S. I. Ezeani ◽  
O. T. Onifade

Extension services bridge the gap between research and farmers for increased productivity and improved livelihood. The study investigated the factors facilitating extension services available to fish farmers in Ijebu Ode Agricultural Extension Zone, Ogun State, aimed to determine fish farmers' preferences, the costs and returns of fishes and the constraints hindering extension services available to the respondents. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select respondents from all the six extension blocks in Ijebu Ode Zone of Ogun State ADP. One hundred and seventeen fish farmers were randomly sampled using structured interview schedules. The study revealed the mean and standard errors of age, household size and fish farming experience as 46.6±0.9 years, 6±0.3 persons and 6±0.4 years, respectively; 67.5% were male, married (76.1%) and all were literate. Formal sources of extension services available to fish farmers were extension agents from ADPs (99.1%), JDPC extension workers (54.7%) and NGOs (44.4%).Informal sources include; friends and relations (70.9%), extension guide/bulletins (70.9%), and the mobile phone (41.9%). Farmers showed preferences for extension services like field demonstrations (91.5%), fishing inputs marketing information (88.0%), farm record keeping (81.2%) and environmental management (79%). There was significant association between fish farmers' 2 2 marital status (χ2 = 29.67, p < 0.05), educational status (χ2 = 22.63, p < 0.05) and nature of extension services available to them. However, no significant relationship was found between the nature of extension services available and age (r = 0.012; p >0.05), years of experience (r=-0.074; p<0.05) and house hold size (r = 0.033; p >0.05). There was association between 2 nature of extension services available to fish farmers and their profitability ((χ2 = 173.088, p < 0.05). For more effective extension service delivery, this study recommends better linkage of fish farmers to credit sources, favourable government policy on agriculture, proper funding of extension service and remuneration of extension personnel.

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeyemi Sidiqat Aderinoye-Abdulwahab ◽  
Jamiu Mohammed ◽  
Fadlullah Olayiwola Issa

This study assessed the training needs of N-Power Agro beneficiaries in Kwara State. Simple random sampling was used to select 216 respondents using a questionnaire to collect data while percentages, mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used to analyze the data. Training of respondents was assessed using job/task and skill gap analysis. Results showed that rules and regulation governing the job (x̅ = 5.69), knowledge acquisition (x̅ =1.99), field practices (x̅ =1.70), record keeping (x̅ =1.69), and extension service delivery methods (x̅ =1.59) were the areas where training were needed. Extension service delivery methods (x̅ =3.17) was identified as the only gap which training could address. It was found that age (r=0.341), sex (r=0.095) and educational status (r=0.180) were favorable socioeconomic factors determining training needs of respondents at p≤0.05 level of significance. A significant gap exists in what the beneficiaries already know and what they now need to know as they have not been undergoing adequate capacity building training; hence there is a dire need for intensive training to cover the existing gaps for effective productivity of the N-agro beneficiaries in Kwara State.


Author(s):  
C. Sanga ◽  
V. J. Kalungwizi ◽  
C. P. Msuya

This article was designed to present the assessment of the effectiveness of radio - based, impact driven smallholder farmer extension service system provided by FVR to enhance accessibility of extension services to women and men in the project areas of Tanzania. Specifically, this paper assessed women and men farmers' access to ICT and factors influencing the utilization of ICT to deliver agricultural information and knowledge. The paper used data from impact assessment survey of the project conducted between April 2012 and June 2012. These data were complemented by focus group discussion involving members of gender advisory panel that had been established in the selected project sites. Quantitative data were analyzed to yield frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. Even though ownership of mobile phones and radio was higher among women in all study areas both men and women farmers' had almost the same percentage in accessibility to agricultural extension information. The factors that affected women and men farmers to get quality agricultural information via these ICT tools were namely: poor radio signal reception, power outrage and poor timing of radio programs among others. This is important evidence that careful use of ICT can reduce gender imbalance in agricultural extension services and information delivery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
Kidane Tesfay Gebreegziabher ◽  
Gidey Kidu Mezgebo

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


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Blum ◽  
Robert. H. Smith

The first agricultural extension services were created, when previous attempts to spread know-how were no longer appropriate. One of the major criteria to evaluate existing extension systems is to analyze, how they adapted their services to different client groups and to changed agro-technical, economical and social circumstances. The paper analyzes what major changes were needed in the Israeli extension system, and how the extension service adapted its work to these changes. The major challenges were: how to work with new immigrants and growers in different settlement types, how to up-grade advisers’ formal and informal knowledge level. The most critical problem came with serious cuts and governmental demand to privatize the agricultural extension service.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 313-318
Author(s):  
S.Agnes Daney Angela ◽  
Lloyd Chrispin C

GIFT Tilapia a fast growing fish and candidate species used for short term profitable fish farming. The farm level adoption of GIFT Tilapia farming technology has not increased significantly, given its relative advantage over the carps such as easily grown in wide range of water quality parameters, better growth in higher stocking densities and short period for weight gain. Therefore, the study attempts to analyse the perception about GIFT Tilapia Farming among the Fish Farmers and Prospective fish Farmers in order to arrive at conclusions for better adoption of GIFT Tilapia farming technology. Simple random sampling was used for selecting the sample and the total sample size is 82 (44 Fish farmers and 38 Prospective fish farmers, that is, Non-fish farmers with knowledge about fish farming). The data collection was done through focussed group discussions and structured interview schedule. The statements are ranked based on ‘The Cumulative Perception Index’ calculated for each statement. The results show that the respondents perceive strongly that “GIFT Tilapia is one of the best cultivable species” and “it has more profit compared to carp culture”. The perception is highly negative to the statement that “GIFT tilapia culture technology is complex” however 63% of the respondents were sceptical about “the marketing of GIFT Tilapia”. From the results it is found that, in order to improve the adoption of GIFT Tilapia Farming technology, it is necessary to make the fish farmers informed about the guidelines to farming GIFT Tilapia, enabling availability and accessibility of GIFT Tilapia seeds and making them aware of marketability and innovative marketing strategies of GIFT Tilapia. This can perk up dissemination and adoption of GIFT Tilapia farming technology.


2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph U. AGBAMU ◽  
David O. EDONO

This study has assessed the effectiveness of agricultural extension workers through the use of six indicators. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 180 farmers and 60 extension workers from 12 Local Government Areas of Delta State. Interview schedule and questionnaire were used to collect data from respondents. On average, farmers have 7 – 12 contacts per year with agricultural extension workers. Age, extent of contact with extension workers, and education level make a significant contribution to farmers' perception on the quality of agricultural extension workers. This study found no significant relationship between adoption level and extent of contact with extension workers. Agricultural message situation is good in terms of purpose, content and treatment but the provision of logistics for field work of extension workers is not sufficient. The study reveals that agricultural extension service in Delta State is not effective. There is no significant difference in the agricultural extension workers' effectiveness in the three agricultural zones of Delta State. For a better coverage of extension cells, more extension workers should be recruited. The Delta State Government should exhibit renewed vigor in properly funding the public agricultural extension service to ensure improved effectiveness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 244-257
Author(s):  
O. J. Olaoye ◽  
O. Oyekunle ◽  
I. A. Akintayo ◽  
G. Ahhibi ◽  
I. Abdulraheem

Improved Aquaculture Management Practices (LAMP) always lead to increase productivity, generate greater income, reduce poverty and improve livelihood. This study assessed the extent of the use of IAMP by fish farmers in the Western Zone of Lagos state ADP, Nigeria to describe level of usage of IAMP and examine the constraints faced by fish farmers in the use of IAMP The primary data were collected with the aid of structured interview guide, administered through personal interviews and observations to elicit information from 100 fish farmers using simple random sampling and purposive technique. Descriptive statistics was used to analysis the socio-economic characteristics, while budgetary analysis was used to determine the profitability and multiple regression analysis. Findings show that the mean age of the respondents was 42.6 years, 71.0% were male, 90.0% married, 63.0% secondary occupation and 84.81% were aware of IAMP On a daily basis, 87.0% of the respondents were involved in record keeping, 82.0% carried out general observation in the farm and used concrete tanks while site selection, tank construction, pond liming and use of drugs were done occasionally. Constraints faced by the respondents were high cost of inputs (88.0%), flooding (79.0%),. predators (71.0%), mortality (61.0%), pollution (61.0%), inadequate technical know-how (61.0%) and disease outbreak (58.0%). Respondents' household size (r = -0.202, p<0.05) and marital status (χ2= 61.082, P<005) were significantly associated with factors affecting the use of IAMP. There were significant differences between IAMP used and revenue generated (t =4.641.,p<0.05). In conclusion, adoption of IAMP leads to increase aquaculture productivity and changes of social status. Government should provide assistance in loan at low interest, appropriate land, grants, fish farm input at subsidized rate adequate marketing information and networking among fish farmers.


Author(s):  
K. N. N. Ezike ◽  
E. N. Okeowata ◽  
V. A. Chukwu ◽  
Ogonna O. Osuafor

Funding of Ebonyi State Nigeria Agricultural Public Extension Service in a deregulated economy was studied. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; identify the major recommended packages/technologies and services extended to the farmers and examine the trend in the funding of agricultural extension services from 2001 to 2010. A total of 240 contact farmers were selected using a multistage random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that majority (65.42%) of the respondents were males; had a mean age of 49 years, married; had a relatively large household size of 8 persons; and relatively low educational status. Average farm holding was 0.90 ha and personal savings were the major sources of farm finance. Government funding of the agricultural public extension dwindled throughout the period with budget estimate at the peak of N220.4 m recorded in 2013 and the lowest of about N69.3 m in 2001, whereas the highest actual expenditure was about N99.5 m in 2010 and the lowest amount of about N37.1 m was also recorded in 2009. A big difference between the budget estimate and actual expenditure was observed in 2009 with a budget deficit of about 46.5%. The amount farmers were willing to pay for extension services was not also stable with the highest amount of about N9.2 m in 2005 and least amount of N800,000.00 in 2003. The amount expended by government was higher than the amount farmers are willing to pay with 98.2% difference in 2004. The study indicated that the proportion of farmers willing to pay for extension services is low. This could lead to reduced adoption and utilization of improved technologies and decline in farmers’ and farm productivity in a deregulated economy. Recommendations such as educating farmers on cost of extension services and the need for their contribution, backing up extension services with interest free loans, deregulating extension services in a gradual process and in phases, and improving the country’s educational system were made among others.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1071-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Raj Dhital

A detail study on the experience of agricultural extension in Nepal was done by discussion with experts, academicians and involved agricultural officers of Nepal along with review of different documents, books and articles on the subject matter. Since from the first effort of extension service, Training and visit, Integrated Rural Development Approach, Tuki Approach, Farming System Research and Extension Approach, Block Production Program were the approaches used in the past. Conventional Educational Approach, Pocket Package Approach, Projectization Approach, Farmers Group Approach, Farmers Field School Approach, Partnership Approach are the approaches being followed presently in agricultural extension in Nepal. The extension efforts in the country are guided by the National Agricultural Extension Strategy.  Department of agriculture under ministry of agricultural development is responsible for providing public extension service via District Agriculture Development Office (DADO), Agriculture Service Centre, Contact Centre, Model Agriculture Service Centre and Community Agriculture Service Centre at the farmers level. Farmers Group and cooperatives, International and National Nongovernmental organizations, Community Based Organizations and few private entities are providing the private extension services. major issues found in public extension systems are lack of motivation among the rural youths, farmers; natural resource degradation and climate change and sustainability issues; inadequate number of the extension workers and their qualification and skills; inadequate  infrastructure and capacity for use of ICTs among the ground level extension workers; lack of monitoring and assessment of impact of extension activities in rural farmers; low level of need based extension coverage particularly for small farmers; ineffective and weak linkages between stakeholders at different levels; low level of education of farmers; insufficient budget and investment for extension activities; domination of supply driven approaches rather than demand driven; inadequate extension services in parts of value addition and market exposure.


Author(s):  
MJ Hoque ◽  
MI Hossain ◽  
MA Sarker ◽  
MNAS Mithun

The present study was conducted to explore the problems of sugarcane farmers in the selected areas of Natore district in Bangladesh. A total of 100 farmers were selected from Lalpur upazila of Natore district by using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through individual interviews during October to November, 2019 by using a structured interview schedule. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. The majority of the sugarcane farmers (80%) had medium problems in sugarcane cultivation. Among twenty problems, difficulty in getting sugarcane setts was identified as the most critical one, followed by low market price of sugarcane. The least important problem faced by the farmers was lack of labour for sugarcane cultivation. Correlation analysis revealed that credit received, input availability, and extension media contact were significantly associated with the problems of sugarcane farmers. The study indicated some opportunities for the policymakers to address the dominant factors i.e. credit received, input availability, and extension media contact for increasing sugarcane production. Moreover, credit facilities, supply of inputs, proper training and access to extension services could play a vital role in lessening problems in sugarcane cultivation. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(1): 101-108, June 2021


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