Agricultural transformation can be achieved in Nigeria in the presence of an effective, well-designed and well executed system of technology development and transfer. Multistage random sampling procedure was employed to select a sample of 36 EAs from the population of all Extension Agents (EAs) in Anambra State Agricultural Development Project (ADP). Research data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire while data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, percentage, ranks) and inferential statistics (multiple regression analysis). The results of data analyses revealed low percentage of young Extension Agents and low percentage of female EAs. A few academically unqualified EAs were on the roll of Anambra State ADP. The transfer of cocoyam technologies in the State has exceeded 73% of its target even as 17 out of 23 cocoyam technologies under study have been transferred to farmers. The major constraints to cocoyam technologies transfer relates to poor conditions of service for EAs, lack field vehicles, poor funding of extension activities, rejection of technologies by farmers on the basis of incompatibility of technologies to farmers' local practices, inadequate number EAs and poor linkage among Research/Extension/ Farmer/Input Agencies. It was recommended that vigorous efforts be put in place to transfer 6 other cocoyam technologies which were yet to be transferred to the farmers. Also, more young and female EAs should be recruited. The conditions of service of EAs should be improved and that the ideal Training and Visit system of agricultural extension be implemented while research adapt cocoyam technologies to farmers' local conditions and practices.
Attempts by National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Nigeria to add value to cassava have led to development of several products such as cake, bread, chin-chin from cassava in order to diversify its utilization.. The Institute embarked upon a rural empowerment campaign through promotion, popularization and training of rural households on the cassava value addition technologies. About 10 rural communities in Abia State, Nigeria have benefited from this participatory training programme. A study was carried out in 2006 in Abia State to examine the effects of the training programme on the livelihoods of the rural households in the study area. A total of 150 respondents from four Local Government Areas where the training workshops held were purposively sampled for the study. Data were collected with use of structured questionnaire and analyzed using means, percentages, tables and frequencies. Results indicated that use of acquired knowledge on cassava value addition has high influence on farmers' livelihoods in Arochukwu (3.02), but moderate influences on their livelihoods in Umunneochi(2.01), Umuahia(1.9) and Ukwa East(1.7) LGAs as evidenced by availability of different cassava food forms, earning of extra incomes, self employment, as well as poverty reduction in the house holds. There is therefore the need to explore and sustain this rural empowerment strategy by providing the necessary policy leverage and support that will facilitate efforts and activities of government agencies to enhance the livelihoods of rural farmers.
A survey was carried out in 2001 to ascertain the status of Guinea worm disease infection among farm households in Ebonyi Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State. A total of 3,777 respondents were randomly sampled from 15 communities that comprised the LGA. The sample respondents were clinically examined and then interviewed with structured questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using percentages, frequency and ratios. Results of the study revealed that a total of 192 respondents were infected by the disease which gave prevalence rate of 5.08%. Majority (54.15%) of the infected persons were farmers who were in the prime of their productive lives. It is therefore recommended that portable clean and safe drinking water should be provided to the rural communities in the study area. This requires the assistance of both governments and non-government organizations. Again, awareness campaign should be mounted in the study area to sensitize the rural communities on the prevalence of the disease in their area as well as the necessary precautionary measures to avoid infection of the disease. On the other hand health and agricultural extension workers should educate the rural households on the various safety measures to prevent infection of the disease and/or manage the disease if one becomes infected.
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