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Use of ICTs as a Source of Information for Improving Agricultural Productivity in South-West, Nigeria
Toluwase S. O. W.,
Apata O. M.
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2017
Pages:
50-54
Received:
8 March 2017
Accepted:
27 March 2017
Published:
13 April 2017
Abstract: The study investigates respondent’s access to use of ICTs as a source of information for improving agricultural productivity. A well-structured questionnaire was used for data collection from the respondents. The specific objectives of the study that addressed Socio- economic characteristics, awareness of various ICTs, knowledge on ICT use and constraints facing ICT usage. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean. Inferential statistics such as Chi-Square was used to establish relationship. The results obtained revealed that family members constitute the major source of information to the famers in the study areas. This is followed by radio, mobile phone and internet while extension agents rarely provide information to the famers. Findings also revealed a high rate of competence in the use of mobile phones, radio, and television sets while respondents indicated low competence level in the use of video-conferencing and fax, the attitude of farmers has a significant level of effect on the productivity of farmers. Their attitude had a 10% level of significance on the productivity among others. Policy makers should try to make agricultural information readily available through mobile devices, since they were most commonly used and since most farmers did not have contact with extension agents; hence more extension agents should be engaged in order to reach the farmers adequately.
Abstract: The study investigates respondent’s access to use of ICTs as a source of information for improving agricultural productivity. A well-structured questionnaire was used for data collection from the respondents. The specific objectives of the study that addressed Socio- economic characteristics, awareness of various ICTs, knowledge on ICT use and cons...
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Application of Multinomial Logistic to Smallholder Farmers’ Market Participation in Northern Ghana
Salisu Mustapha,
Mohammed Tanko,
Iddrisu Abukari
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2017
Pages:
55-62
Received:
16 March 2017
Accepted:
27 March 2017
Published:
13 April 2017
Abstract: The contribution of agriculture to the development of a country cannot be over emphasized, likewise the role played by smallholder farmers in the production of food in developing countries such as Ghana. Hence, the research examined the factors that affect market participation of smallholder farmers in Ghana. The Ghana Living Standard Survey data as published by the Ghana Statistical Service was employed and analyzed with the application of multinomial logistic regression model. Analysis of the data in the Northern part of Ghana indicate a very low market participation relative to the national average figure of 36% which itself is considered to be low at the international level. The results further show that, out of the total food crops produced (cereals), maize takes the highest whilst millet is the lowest cereal produced in Ghana. The results also revealed that only 24.2% of the total output of cereals produced in the study area is sold. The multinomial logistic results show that being a female farmer, having access to credit, increase in farm size and household size were factors that discourage subsistence farming and encourage market-oriented farming. The study recommends the promotion of small scale farmer participation in marketing of their produce through improving access to credit, land reallocation and promotion of female farmers’ commercial participation.
Abstract: The contribution of agriculture to the development of a country cannot be over emphasized, likewise the role played by smallholder farmers in the production of food in developing countries such as Ghana. Hence, the research examined the factors that affect market participation of smallholder farmers in Ghana. The Ghana Living Standard Survey data a...
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Economic Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Yield of Maize in Oyo State, Nigeria
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2017
Pages:
63-68
Received:
10 March 2017
Accepted:
24 March 2017
Published:
14 April 2017
Abstract: The study analyzed the economic effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the yield of maize in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study used purposive sampling techniques and data were collected from one-hundred and twenty maize farmers through a well- structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics like multinomial logit regression and budgetary technique analysis. Results from descriptive analysis showed that 76.70% of the maize farmers were male while 78.90% were above 50 years old. The results further revealed that 66.70% of the farmers were married while 40.00% had secondary education and above. Majority (83.4%) of the respondents had about at least 5 members that constitute the household in the study area. It was revealed from the results that 90% of the farmers interviewed chose farming as their primary occupation. Also, 54.2% of the farmers had at least 4 hectares of farm size while 53.3 % of them had at most 21 years of farming experience. The determinants of choice for organic fertilizers were educational level, access to loan, access to extension contact, primary occupation and farm size, the determinants of choice for inorganic fertilizers were found to be educational level, primary occupation, farming experience, membership of cooperative and farm size. From the costs and returns breakdown of organic fertilizers users in the study area, the cost ratio showed that an inorganic farmer user that invested ₦1 realized ₦1.59 as revenue or gained ₦0.59k on each Naira expended, while an organic farmer user that invested ₦1 realized ₦1.67 as revenue or gained ₦0.67k on each Naira expended. If inorganic fertilizer will be difficult to access by farmers, then government must encourage farmers to use the organic type due to its cheapness and availability. It is therefore recommended that government should embark on moves that will encourage youths’ involvement in maize production and prevent the fertilizer subsidy program from going into extinction.
Abstract: The study analyzed the economic effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the yield of maize in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study used purposive sampling techniques and data were collected from one-hundred and twenty maize farmers through a well- structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferentia...
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Factors Influencing Levels and Intensity of Adoption of New Rice for Africa (Nerica) Among Rice Farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria
Ogunya Lydia Olufunmilola,
Simeon Adebayo Bamire,
Ayodeji Sunday Ogunleye
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2017
Pages:
84-89
Received:
24 March 2017
Accepted:
5 April 2017
Published:
24 April 2017
Abstract: The study determined the levels of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) technology adoption and identified the factors influencing the levels and intensity of technology adoption among the NERICA rice farmers with a view to improving NERICA production among rice farmers in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 200 NERICA rice farmers for the study. Primary data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and technology adoption index. Results showed that there were two main levels of NERICA technology adoption among the farmers based on the mean adoption index 0.9547. These were partial adopters with an index of <0.9547 and full adopters with an index of >0.9547. Partial adopters of the NERICA technology accounted for 50.5% of the farmers while full adopters accounted for 49.5%. The levels of adoption of NERICA technology was influenced by factors such as age, farming experience and quantity of fertilizer used while intensity was influenced by factors such as number of labour used, farming experience and quantity of fertilizer used. The study concluded that the adoption rate of NERICA technology in Ogun State could be improved by increasing the quantities of seed, number of labour and appropriate use of fertilizer.
Abstract: The study determined the levels of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) technology adoption and identified the factors influencing the levels and intensity of technology adoption among the NERICA rice farmers with a view to improving NERICA production among rice farmers in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 200 NERICA rice ...
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