The study was assessed to determine the effects of rural-urban youth migration on farm families in Benue state, Nigeria during November 2014 to June 2015. Interview schedule was used to collect data from a sample of 80 respondents. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean scores and standard deviation. Results indicate that majority (76.3%) of the respondents were males, middle aged and married. Major causes of ruralurban youth migration indicated by the respondents include inadequate employment opportunities in rural areas (M=3.6), search for better education (M=3.5), inadequate social infrastructure such as schools (M=3.4), poor medical care services in rural areas (M=3.4), looking for money through labour (M=3.4), apprenticeship programme (M=3.2), etc. Findings of the study also indicate that reduction of agricultural labour force (M=3.5), low agricultural productivity (M=3.3), high cost of labour (M= 3.3), reduction on demand for locally grown foods (M=2.9), decrease in dependency ratio in the rural areas (M=2.7), reduction on number of mouths to feed (M=2.7), among others were major effects of ruralurban youth migration among farm families. The study recommends that Nigerian government should provide adequate physical and social infrastructure in rural areas in order to encourage youths to remain in agriculture, reduce rural-urban youth migration as well as sustain agriculture for enhanced food security.

The study assessed gender participation and constraints in cassava production, processing and marketing in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 60 males and 60 females randomly selected cassava farmers from 6 villages using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that 75-93.3% males took part in cassava production operations whereas 66.7-75% females carried out the same activities. Results also showed that all females (100%) participated in peeling, washing, fermenting, grinding and packaging, and 95-98.3% took part in other processing activities compared to less than 79% males who participated in the same activities. Furthermore, respondents engaged in all marketing activities with females recording higher participation in sales of produce/products (96.7%), grading (93.3%), standardization of measurement (93.3%), among others while males participated more in assembling produce (85%). Both gender faced similar constraints and employed similar strategies for improving participation in cassava enterprises. The study concluded that more males than females participated in cassava production while a greater percentage of females took part in processing and marketing. It is recommended that research and extension should target both male and female cassava farmers with appropriate technologies and messages for improved participation in cassava value chain development, which should enhance their income and standard of living.

The study was carried out to determine adoption of improved sweet potato production technologies among small-scale farmers in South East, Nigeria. Data were collected from a sample of 100 respondents using questionnaire. Percentage, mean score and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. Results showed that majority (64.0%) of the respondents were male, married (85.0%) with a mean age of 55 years, having 81.0% of the respondents with a farming experience of 10-19 years. A greater percentage of the sweet potato producers sourced information on time of planting (55.0%), planting spacing (46.0%) and weeding (37.0%) from research institute while 36.0% sourced information on fertilizer application from fellow farmers. Adoption of improved sweet potato production technologies by producers in the study area included use of improved varieties (79%), planting spacing/distance used (81%), vine cutting (81%), fertilizer application (400 kg/ha, NPK 15:15:15) (91%), pest control (66%), harvesting (77%) and storage method (51%). The study recommended the need for awareness campaign by extension agents, public health agencies, nutritionists and non-governmental organizations on the availability of these sweet potato varieties that produce high yields for better returns. Efforts of government and non-governmental organizations are needed in encouraging sweet potato producers to adopt improved technologies through conduct of practical oriented training programmes, provision of suitable and necessary incentives and technologies in order to increase production and income.

Article HistoryThe study was conducted in Benue State, Nigeria to assess prospects of rural youths participation in family farming. Data were collected from a sample of eighty (80) respondents using questionnaire/interview schedule. Frequency, percentage, mean score, standard deviation and factor analysis were used for analyzing data. Majority (75%) of the respondents were males, not married (63.70%), about 99% had formal education, having a mean age of 24 years. Major activities engaged by rural youths in family farming were clearing of farm lands (M = 2.62), harvesting of crops (M = 2.61), irrigating of farm lands (M = 2.39), staking of crops (M = 2.35), sorting/grading of farm produce (M = 2.35), gathering of fruits (M = 2.34) and applying fertilizer to crops (M = 2.33). Results also indicate prospects of rural youths participation in family farming which include proper farm record keeping (M = 2.66), increase in household food security (M = 2.60), increase in farm labour (M = 2.58), provision of market information for sales of farm produce (M = 2.58), increase in household income (M = 2.55), proper preservation of seeds and seedling/planting materials (M = 2.54), increase on the use of modern farming techniques (M = 2.53), increase in farm yields (M = 2.50, among others. The study thus recommends that rural youths should be supported to remain in family farming through adequate provision of labour-saving technologies and modern farm implements to ease operations and ensure optimum productivity. It also highlights that efforts of service providers are needed in providing youths in rural areas with necessary infrastructure such as electricity in order to discourage them from migrating to urban areas. Contribution/Originality:This study contributes in the existing literature to indicate that rural youths in family farming were mostly engaged in clearing of farm lands, harvesting of crops, irrigating of farm lands, staking of crops, sorting/grading of farm produce, among others. They should be provided with necessary farm inputs for optimum productivity.