African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 255-262, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of privatization of agricultural extension services in Cameroon

Simon Yang¹, Bello Inoni¹ and Achu Hayatou²

¹Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine,

²Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Cosendai Adventist University, Nanga-Eboko, Cameroon.  E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 14 February, 2017

Abstract

This paper examines the significance and impact of privatisation on the management and organisation of agricultural extension services in Cameroon. The focus is on how government action to implement new policies in agriculture is perceived by, and has affected farmers. The issues explored are the pressures for privatisation, the implementation of privatisation, influence on agricultural extension and farmers’ responses to privatisation. Qualitative and quantitative research methods related to the Grounded Theory approach were used. 114 farmers, 26 extension agents and 14 senior extension officers were purposively sampled on the basis of their involvement in four agricultural extension projects in three regions, which typify different ecological and socio -cultural aspects of farming in Cameroon. The findings show that persistent economic constraints have increased the country’s dependency on external sources of funding for agricultural extension programmes with pressure to reduce government spending, a high level of awareness among farmers with respect to new organisational changes in extension, and their willingness to accept innovations in their methods of working with support services that provide appropriate solutions to their farm problems. Privatisation of agricultural extension services has brought with it greater involvement with private companies and non-governmental organisations, and greater collaboration among them in delivering extension services to farmer clients. This increases the effectiveness and sustainability of the information systems available to farmers.

Key words: Agricultural extension and privatisation, liberalisation and organisational change.

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 263-268, July, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Review

 Evaluation of the development of agricultural extension services in Africa

Chuks Obiora Nnamdi

Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 09 July, 2017

Abstract

Many developing countries are now at various stages in the process of economic liberalization, privatization and decentralization. This implies that technical programming, personnel management and budget appropriations for extension delivery will no longer be the same as they used to be under centralized public extension service delivery. Liberalization has bred different actors in extension delivery such as the public agencies, private service providers, produce organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). It is therefore important to find out the methods utilized by the current facilitators of extension activities and how the activities are funded. This paper thus examined the current approaches to agricultural extension in South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda and Madagascar. Findings revealed the following approaches: (1) partnership extension services, (2) people centered participation, (3) farmers organizations and (4) fund mobilization through shared responsibility among all the stakeholders. These approaches covered a significant part of each of the countries examined. However, time must be giving if the approaches are to stand the test of time. Effort must be intensified to see how the benefit from the approaches in the enclave coverage can be extended to every part of the nation. Enabling environment like development of viable markets, communication and other infrastructural facilities can be provided for the exploration of these approaches.

Key words: Actors, private service providers, non-governmental organization, public agencies.

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 269-276, July, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Towards a successful management of aflatoxin contamination in legume and cereal farming systems in northern Nigeria: A case study of the groundnut value chain

Vabi, B. Michael^1*, Eche, O. Chris.², Kunihya, Ayuba.¹, Motagi, N. Babu¹, Mukhtar, A. Aisha.³,Haruna, G. Salisu Sanusi⁴. Mohammed, S. Gaya.⁴, Olufunmilola ALABI³,  Kwanashie Adobe³  and Ajeigbe, H.A.¹

¹International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Kano), Nigeria.

²Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

³Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, (Zaria), Nigeria.

⁴Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University, (Kano), Nigeria.

*Corresponding author: Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Tel. +234 (0) 8135636417, 7018860163.

Accepted 01 June, 2018 

Abstract

Aflatoxin is reported to be a major challenge of many agricultural commodity value chains groundnut, with potential negative impacts on nutrition, food safety, human health and foreign trade. This paper presents multiple pre-emptive management measures in the management of Aflatoxins in the groundnut value chain in Nigeria. These measures include: the organization of Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops, development of aptitudes in the detection and quantification of aflatoxin levels, demonstration of integrated crop management (ICM) practices, production of pedagogic materials to support awareness raising engagement of media organs to sustain awareness on the challenges of aflatoxin contamination, and evaluation and promotion of Aspergillus flavus resistant groundnut varieties. Alongside these measures which target behavioural corrections, samples of groundnut and groundnut-based are being collected to establish the prevalence and distribution of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut kernel and groundnut-based products in Northern Nigeria.

Keywords: Aflatoxin, pre-emptive measures, groundnut, Northern Nigeria, policies.

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 248-254, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

RAPD analysis of genetic diversity of Chinese F1 cultivated Melon (Cucumis melo L)

J.N. Wolukau, R.M. Gesimba, J.K.Nyamari, J.F. Chen and X.H. Zhou

Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Njoro, Kenya.

Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 09 February, 2017

Abstract

The genetic relationships among 40 melon (C. melo L.) genotypes, mostly F1 hybrids of varietal group melo were assessed by analyzing 96 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) bands generated by 37 primers.  A relatively high level of polymorphism (24.7%) was revealed.  The mean genetic distance among the genotypes was 0.361.  There was a higher level of genetic variation among the landraces (GD 0.401) than among the hybrids (GD 0.361).  The lowest level of genetic variation was recorded among the PIs maintained at USDA (GD 0.262).  The relatively high level of genetic variation revealed from this small sample warrants further investigation to provide information leading to more effective strategies and goals for hybridization and long term germplasm management.

Key words: Genetic relationship; genetic distance; germplasm management; RAPD, DNA.

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 243-247, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Awareness about food security: An association of food security among internally displaced persons (IDPS)

Naveed Akbar and Bushra Shafi

Department of Rural Sociology, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan.

Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 22 July, 2017

Abstract

This study aimed at finding the association of food security (dependent variable) with awareness about food security (independent variables). The study was conducted in ten Bhattai camp at Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  A sample size of 248 respondents was proportionally allocated to each of the ten Bhattai camps out of thirty five and then selected through sample random sampling techniques. Data was collected on carefully developed interview schedule covering both the study variables. Chi-square (x²) Statistics was used to test the association of the study variables. The association of food security was found significant with the knowledge about secure food (P=0.035), awareness trainings regarding food security (P=0.050), security is necessary for every country (P=0.048), government is responsible for the provision of safe food (P=0.017), food security is the basic need of citizens (P=0.021), excessive storage of food can effect food security (P=0.032), improper storage of food can destroy the food stuff (P=0.030), knowledge about checking expiry date on food items (P=0.033),  knowledge about the procedure of  safe food attainment (P=0.016). Raising awareness through training sessions about food security, food distribution procedure, proper food storage, due process of the food attainment in the camp and its significance in healthy life were some of the recommendations in light of the study.

Keywords: Food security, awareness about food security. 

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 6 (3), pp. 229-242, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Attributes of push-pull technology in enhancing food and nutrition security

Ogot Nicholas O, Pittchar Jimmy O, Midega Charles AO and Khan Zeyaur R

International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. BOX 30772-00100 Nairobi, Kenya.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 24 October, 2017

Abstract

Push-pull technology (PPT) is an agricultural novelty that eliminates pest infestation (specifically, Striga and Stemborers) from cereal farm.  It was invented by Professor Khan in 1997 to help reduce degradation of crops by pests which were adversely affected by yields. By this, an increased production was evidenced amongst the sub-Saharan farmers. This study aimed at determining the basic attributes of PPT that enhance FNS. It found out that PPT plots had more yields that influenced the entire pathway. Production recorded data for; maize (PPT-1393kgs, NPPT-401kgs), sorghum (PPT-556kgs, NPPT-125kgs), millet (PPT-930kgs, NPPT-107kgs), fodder (PPT-7163kgs, NPPT-891kgs), and beans (PPT-122kgs, NPPT-88kgs). Data for cereals consumed domestically were; maize (PPT-1215kgs, NPPT-349kgs); sorghum (PPT-415kgs, NPPT-105kgs), millet (PPT-596kgs, NPPT-93kgs), fodder (PPT-3844kgs, NPPT-727kgs), and beans (PPT-119kgs, NPPT-81kgs). Amount of the cereals sold recorded; maize (PPT-Kshs. 28,152, NPPT-Kshs. 7,477), sorghum (PPT-Kshs. 10,907, NPPT-Kshs 2,620), millet ((PPT-Kshs. 2,778, NPPT-Kshs. 3,110), fodder (PPT-Kshs. 19,444, NPPT-Kshs. 2,250), and beans (PPT-Kshs. 3,259, NPPT-Kshs. 2,410). And the amount of cereals sold that contributed to food were; maize (PPT-Kshs. 10,556, NPPT-Kshs. 4,667), sorghum (PPT-Kshs. 3,407, NPPT-Kshs. 600), millet (PPT-Kshs. 411, NPPT-Kshs. 1,500), fodder (PPT-Kshs. 13889, NPPT-0), and beans (PPT-0, NPPT-Kshs. 1,225). Furthermore, PPT registered an average monthly food adequacy of 9.62 out of 12 while NPPT had 8.34. The regression model gave a significant r² of 0.9162, an indication of 91.62% variation in the PPT’s influence on food adequacy (p=0.00187). The study found out that PPT has both direct and indirect impact on FNS of the adopters.

Key words: Push-pull technology (PPT), Non push-pull technology (NPPT), Food and Nutrition Security (FNS), Production, Consumption, Sales and Food Diversity.