SOIL CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES AND PRODUCTIVITY OF ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined soil conservation techniques and its effect on productivity of arable crop farmers in Kogi state, Nigeria. Data were collected from 184 farmers using three stage sampling technique. Data analyses were carried out using descriptive statistics, Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and regression analysis. Result shows that the soil conservation technique prevalent in the area was application of inorganic fertilizer. About 36.4% of the sampled household heads have productivity value above average across all the soil conservation categories (productive). Result also reveals that age (-1.801), household size (-0.310) and access to credit (-0.056) impacted arable crop farmers negatively while alley cropping (0.357), crop rotation (0.380), application of inorganic fertilizer (0.503), mulching (0.560) and organic manure (0.373) positively impacted arable farmers’ productivity. The study concludes that soil conservation techniques are productivity enhancer. Promoting sustainable conservation techniques that are farm or farmer specific is recommended.

Determinants of Food Security Status and Coping Strategies to Food Insecurity among Rural Crop Farming Households in Ondo State, Nigeria

This study examined the food security status and coping strategies to food insecurity of rural arable crop farming households in Ondo State, Nigeria. Primary data were used and a multistage sampling procedure was used to select 150 respondents. Food Security Index (FSI), Probit regression model and Coping Strategy Use Index (CSUI) were employed to carry out the analysis. The empirical findings revealed that (54%) of rural arable crop farming households in the study area were food secure based on the recommended minimum calorie of 2260Kcal. Furthermore, the empirical analysis revealed that gender of the household head, household size, farm size and farm income of the household head had significant influence on the household food security status. The most widely employed coping strategy was withdrawal from personal savings as indicated by 14.82 percent of household and while reliance on less expensive food and purchasing food on credit were ranked second and third respectively with 13.66 and 12.85 percent by the food insecure households. In other to ensure sustainable food security among the households, the study recommended effective household size management, and enlightenment programmes on family planning in the study area. Farmers should increase their farm sizes. Farmers should use more inputs and technologies to increase output. Farmers should also be encouraged to have additional source of income towards attaining food security in the study area.

Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies of Arable Crop Farmers In Abia State, Nigeria

This study was set up to examine climate change and adaptation strategies of arable crop farmers in Abia State. The study adopted the cross-sectional research design with a sample population of 392 farmers across the seventeen Local Government Areas of Abia State. Chi Square statistics was used to test the study hypothesis. The study revealed that Climate change impact on arable crops is affecting farmer’s economy in Abia State. Evidences of climate change in the area, could be seen in the form of increase in temperature, change in rainfall pattern and intensity which has brought about a change in planting seasons, the study further revealed that The techniques/strategies adopted by arable crop famers in Abia State include cultivation of early maturing breeds of arable crop, crop diversification, changes in time of farm operation, change of farm location, rain water harvesting, diversification of income-generating activities and planting of drought-resistant varieties. The most predominant adaptation strategies practiced by arable crop farmers in Abia State are cultivation of early maturing breeds of arable crops, crop diversification and changes in time of farm operation and that there was seasonal variation in the choice of adaptation strategy adopted by farmers. The study however recommends that climate change impacts on arable crops as such agricultural activities that enhance climate change such as bush burning, total forest clearing should be discouraged. There is a need to adopt agro based environmental friendly techniques in crop production such as alley farming and that farmers should be encouraged to adopt the identified effective adaptation technique that are practicable for their location.

Impact of socio and demographic factors on multidimensional poverty profile of smallholder arable crop farmers – evidence from Nigeria

PurposeThis paper evaluates the impact of socio and demographic factors on the multidimensional poverty of smallholder arable crop farming households in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachData were drawn from the second wave of the LSMS-Integrated Surveys on Agriculture General Household Survey Panel 2012/2013. The methods adopted in analysing the data were descriptive statistics, Alkire and Foster Method (AFM) and logit regression model.FindingsThe result shows that 84.34% of the households were headed by a male while 80.26% of the respondents were married with a mean household size of seven persons. The multidimensional poverty of arable crop farm households in Nigeria is 0.60, while the adjusted headcount ratio (MPI) is 0.27, with an average intensity of 0.45. We found that deprivation in the dimension of living standard accounted for 45.5% of the overall multidimensional poverty index (MPI). The result of the logistic regression indicates that household location, gender, household size and non-farm income are negatively correlated to poverty. The factors that increase poverty among households are the age of the household head and access to extension services.Originality/valueThe study presents an alternative means of assessing poverty among smallholder arable crop farming households in Nigeria. This study recommends that policymakers should focus more on improving the living standard of arable crop farming households to reduce poverty in rural areas. Similarly, concerted efforts should be made towards providing adequate health care and improved sanitation, supply of electricity and educational training that goes beyond primary education for farming household members.

Social Media Used by Arable Crop Farmers for Communicating Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Imo State, Nigeria

The study examined social media use by arable crop farmers for climate change adaptation communication in Imo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling was used to collect data with the aid of structured questionnaire from 285 randomly selected arable crop farmers in the study area. Results showed that arable crop farmers use social media to seek knowledge about climate change (𝑥̅=2.71), disseminate information to friends (𝑥̅=2.67), and seek climate change adaptation strategies (𝑥̅=2.59) and post-climate change adaptation strategies to farmer groups (𝑥̅=2.72). However, the proportion of arable crop farmers’ use of social media types was low. Sex, educational level and age influenced utilization of social media for climate change adaptation communication. Farmers should be encouraged to raise concern, make posts and engage in discussions on social media so as to attract and raise awareness of issues of concern among them, other stakeholders and the public. Government (ADP, Ministry of Agriculture), international organizations (FAO and CTA) and non-governmental organizations should organize training on use of smart phones, social media and information andcommunication technologies for farmers, and farmer groups. Keywords: crop farmers, social media, climate change, adaptation strategies

Factors Influencing Arable Crop Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Bio-Organic Technology in Ondo State, Nigeria

The study analysed factors influencing arable crop farmers’ willingness to adopt bio-organic technology in Ondo State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 180 respondents for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data which were analysed with percentages, 4-point likert-type scale and logit regression model. The findings revealed that the females (67.0%) dominated arable crop farming, the mean age was 41 years and 55.6% had formal education. All the respondents are aware of mixed cropping and croprotation and less than 50% were aware of alley cropping (43.2) and biological pest control (26.6). The majority (67.6%) of the arable crop farmers had unfavourable perception of bio-organic technology. The study showed that increase in extension visit, membership of farmers’ group, access to information and education positively increase the likelihood of farmers to adopt bio-organic technology. Enhanced extension services that would adequately support farmer and extended education programs geared towards broadening farmers’ knowledge on bio-organic technology should be promoted. Keywords: willingness, adoption, bio-organic technology, arable crop farmer

Investigation of the perception of climate change among arable crop farmers in Akinyele Local Government area of Oyo State, Nigeria

This study was designed to investigate the perception of climate change among arable crop farmers in Akinyele local government area of Oyo state, Nigeria using a well-structured questionnaire for data acquisition. Descriptive and inferential (chi-square) statistics were used to analyze the data.. The study revealed that majority of the respondents (50.8%) were between the ages of 40-49years and majority of them (85.8%) are married with household size of 7-10 persons. The study further revealed that (33.3%) of the respondents had no formal education while, (42.5%) of the respondents had a farming experience of 16years and above. However, it also shows that majority of the respondents are aware of the effect and causes of climate change. Significant association exists between marital status (x2=68.426, P=0.000), family size (X2=25.777, P=0.012) and perceived effect of climate change. The study therefore recommended that the government and extension agents should enlighten the women farmers more about climate change and should also help in making them adapt excellently to climate change.