African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the impact of radio agricultural programmes on targeted audience in Nigeria

*Omoghene F. Nathaniel, A. J. Okome and S. K. Okumagba

College of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

Accepted 15 December, 2017

Abstract

This study investigated the use of radio as a medium of agricultural information delivery to farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. The objective was to determine the impact of radio agricultural programmes on the target audience (farmers). The data were collected from a sample of one hundred respondents selected through a simple random sampling technique. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics viz frequency distribution and percentage. The findings of the study showed that 66% of the respondents listened to agricultural programmes aired on Radio Benue and 42% of the listeners indicated that the programmes were relevant to their agricultural information needs. Majority of the respondents admitted that they gained some new knowledge through listening to the programmes. Non-possession of radio set and unsuitable time of programme presentation were indicated constraints to listener- ship of the programmes. The programmes, to a large extent, had the desired impact on the listeners. It should therefore be sustained but with some modifications in terms of time of presentation and encouragement of group listener- ship.

Key words: Agricultural Information, radio, assessment, listener-ship and impact.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An assessment on the contributions of cooperative organizations to agricultural development in Nigeria

*Annusike F. Chinnedu, Ogholadja E. Micheal and Ogbonaya C. Obinna

Department of Geography, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 15 October, 2017

Abstract

The cooperative organizations among farmers are viewed as contributory forces towards growth and development of Agricultural production in recent times. The cardinal objective was to assess such elements that enhance their performance. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire administered among 60 different registered farmers’ cooperative organizations in the study area. Data were analysed by employing descriptive statistics such as frequencies, mean, percentages and ordinary least square multiple regression. The study revealed that income generation, duration and years of cooperative experience, type of agricultural activities and quality of leadership were found to be significant at 0.01 alpha value while enrolment in terms of population size was found to be significant at 0.05 alpha value. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other things that agricultural policy makers and economic planners should take into cognizance the morale boosters for the cooperative organizations such as lowering interest rates on granting credit facilities, empowering the farmers’ cooperatives to perform through legislative control and adopting cooperatives as an effective strategy towards socio-economic transformation of the less-privileged and disadvantaged lagging areas and by so doing, it will assist in fostering regional balance in our developmental efforts.

Key words: Agriculture, cooperative, farming, organization, development.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (7), pp. 001-010, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals 

Integration and utilization of information technology (IT) in farming related operations in Nigeria

*Demeji Adebola Clinton, Olayinka Micheal and Ibaba D. E.

Department of Computer Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 10 January, 2019

Abstract

The concept of e-farming has been described as the integration and utilization of information technology (IT) in farming related operations. Farming is a traditional trade and operations involved in production have largely remained habitual in nature. Traditional methods of farming incorporated little to no use of IT, despite its potential for dramatically increasing operations efficiency. The incorporation of IT into farming involves the integration of diverse technologies, with each capable of positively impacting the efficiency of farming activities, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practice. This paper reviews some proposed e-agriculture frameworks and presents a framework for the implementation of an e-farming system that can be used in aiding sustainable agricultural/farming practices.

Key words: E-farming, information and communication technology (ICT) in Agriculture, sustainable agriculture.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (6), pp. 001-009, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

A review on the performance of government policy on agriculture in Nigeria

Achimalowo Achebe Augustine

Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 18 April, 2017

Abstract

The paper reviewed the scope, objectives and performance of the previous Nigerian Government policy on agriculture with specific consideration for components of the policies that concern the agricultural mechanization subsector. The views of previous researchers on the performance of previous policies were reviewed to demonstrate the loopholes within the extant document. Similarly available secondary data indicated that the existing policy framework have hitherto not adequately supported the growth of the sector. The paper concluded by providing fresh focus areas that will make a new policy to be more vibrant and supportive of an efficient multi-sectoral agricultural production in the country.

Key words: Government, agricultural mechanization, agricultural policy, agencies, programs.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (6), pp. 001-010, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Environmental and economic efficacy of SWC practices in Wenago district, Southern Ethiopia

*Marcus Zenawi, Gerima K. E. and Derartu F. Defar

Natural Resources Management Department, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dilla University, Ethiopia.

Accepted 15 January, 2017

Abstract

Efforts towards soil and water conservation (SWC) goal were started since the mid-1970s and 80s to alleviate both the problems of erosion and low crop yield of Ethiopia. The data were collected through structured questionnaire via face to face interview with 120 sampled household (HH) from Karasodity and Deko villages of Wenago district. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Heckman two-step econometric estimation procedure. Family size, frequency of extension services, training, and types of SWC practices showed significance and positive relationship with environmental effectiveness (EP) of SWC practices. Access of input, age of the household head, livestock holding and land size were positively related with, and frequency of extension services, access of credit and total land to labor ratio were negatively related with effectiveness of SWC practices on economic level of household (ELHH). Total benefit of SWC practices showed negative relationship with ELHH and statistically significant at p<0.01. It indicated the fact that the benefits from investing in SWC practices accrue over time. There should be work to demonstrate the profitability through providing technical support, access to credit, and provision of efficiently working tools needed for the construction and maintenance of SWC practices.

Key words: Soil and water conservation (SWC), environmental, economic, effectiveness, Heckman