This study focused on the analysis of the extension needs of yam farmers for increased productivity in Rivers and Imo States. The specific objectives were to: i) describe the socioeconomic characteristics of yam farmers in Rivers and Imo states, ii) find out the factors that will increase yam productivity in the areas. Descriptive survey design was used to examine the cross section of the population. A total of 587 respondents were selected from 18 LGAs in Rivers and Imo States, through proportionate random sampling technique and used in this study. Primary data obtained through structured questionnaire were analyzed, using percentage, arithmetic means and weighted mean scores. Ordinary Least Square Regression Analysis and z-Test were used for test of significance. The findings showed that majority of the farmers in the study areas were male (61%), who were middle adult (46 years old), married men (60.8%) and were more of part-time (58%). It indicated a mean annual income of N150,835.00 for the farmers in the areas of study and once per month contact with extension agents (27.1%) was dominant in the areas. It also showed that dedicated extension agents (M = 3.76), accessible credit facilities (M = 3.63), and introduction of non stake yam varieties (M = 3.48) among others will increase yam productivity in the areas. The study therefore recommended among others that: 1) The youths should be encouraged and armed financially to meaningfully engage in yam production by the state governments. 2) Only qualified and dedicated extension agents should be employed to handle technical extension services especially in yam production in these states. 3) Special but accessible credit facilities should be given to yam farmers on-the-farm only, in these two states and the mechanism for its use be assigned to agro extension professionals

This study assessed rural women's access to agricultural information in the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria using a sample size of 100 farm women. Field data were elicited with an interview schedule and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that only 40% of the respondents had access to agricultural information and that their major sources of information were friends/family members and fellow farmers. Findings further revealed that agricultural information resulted in increased farm productivity among recipients. The major constraints to information access were unavailability of extension agents, insufficient funds, and complexity of information. The study recommends availability of more extension agents, delivery of micro-credit, and simplification of information to improve rural women's access to agricultural information in the study area.

The study was on Greater Port Harcourt City urbanization project and its socio-economic effect on affected farming communities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Random sampling technique was used in selecting 100 farmers in farming communities affected by the project. Data were elicited with the interview schedule and analyzed with percentage and mean. The t-test was used in the test of hypothesis. Results indicated that the major social effects of the project on farming communities were conversion of farm land into building and road projects (85.00%) and reduced farm labor (70.00%). Those of economic effects were decreased agricultural output (70.00%) and high cost of land lease for agricultural production (64.00%). There was a significant difference between social and economic effects of the urban expansion project on farming communities. The study recommends the provision of farm reserved areas, enhanced environmental friendly activities, enhanced farm input supply, and provision of credit to reduce the cost of land lease for agriculture.

The study examined the utilization of insecticide treated bed nets for malaria prevention by rural farmers in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The sample size of the study was 100 respondents who were randomly selected from farmers in the area who benefited from the free distribution of the nets by Rivers State Government. The questionnaire was used in eliciting data from the respondents. Data were analyzed with percentage, mean score and multiple regression. Socio-economic result shows that the respondents on the average were 40 years old, earned monthly net income of N24,184.00 ($121.38) and spent 11 years in schooling. More results indicated that while the ownership of the net was as high as 71.73%, the actual utilization was as low as 28.27%. Result of multiple regression analysis indicated a multiple determination (R 2 ) value of 0.6333. Determinants of the utilization of the net were age, sex, occupation and educational level of the respondents. The two major constraints in the utilization of the net in the area were inadequate information and poor design and inconvenience of hanging. In order to improve the rate of utilization of the net in the area, the study recommends enhanced information which will lead to a better education of the beneficiaries. A better design which will reduce the inconveniences associated with hanging of the nets is also recommended.

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