This study examined the adoption of improved rubber production technologies by farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to; identify improved rubber production technologies disseminated to farmers, identify methods for disseminating information on improved rubber production technologies, determine levels of adoption of improved rubber production technologies and finally to determine effects of adoption of improved rubber production technologies on income of farmers in the study area. A simple random sampling technique was used in selecting both adopters and non-adopters of improved rubber production technologies in the study area. Primary data generated from the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, averages, paired t-test analysis and grading scale models. The result showed that about 15 different improved technologies were identified by farmers. Extension agents were found to have eight effective methods of disseminating information to farmers. The t-test analysis showed that adoption of improved rubber production technologies increased farmer's income. It was also revealed that the level of adoption of these technologies in the study area were above average, this calls for concerted effort by both researchers and extension agents to ensure adequate and timely dissemination of technologies that suit the needs and interests of the rubber farmers.

The study assessed rubber production technologies and the related socioeconomic environments in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study seeks to reawaken the interests of rubber farmers in improved rubber production technologies in the study area. The specific objectives of the study were to; identify the socioeconomic characteristics of rubber farmers in the study area, identify improved rubber production technologies disseminated to farmers and to assess some socioeconomic variables associated with adoption of improved rubber production technologies in the study area. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used in selecting 96 rubber farmers for the study. Primary data generated for the study were analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and Multiple Regression Analysis. The result showed that Extension Officers disseminated about 13 improved rubber production technologies to farmers in the area. From the OLS regression estimates, R 2 value was 0.559 with three selected socioeconomic variables being the major factors affecting adoption of improved rubber production technologies. These include; Age, Education and Contact with Extension Agents. These were significant at l% level of probability. This calls for the re-introduction of non-formal education among farmers in the rural areas to improve their level of education and adoption of improved technologies. Government should increase the extension-farmer ratio from the present 1:1000 to 10:1000.

This study assessed the socio-economic determinants of the production of Pro-vitamin A Cassava varieties by farmers in Etim Ekpo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty-eight (158) respondents were selected through a multistage sampling procedure. Field data were elicited with the use of questionnaire randomly distributed to the respondents. Data were analyzed with frequency, percentage, mean and multiple regression. The results revealed that majority of the respondents were females (62.66%), married (68.99%) and 30-50 years (72.15%). Results also indicated that Income (T = 2.21), Age (T = 1.93) Farm size (T = 1.92) Marital status (T = 1.29) and Labour (T = 6.30) are the socio-economic variables that influenced the production of pro -vitamin A cassava varieties. Pro -vitamin A cassava varieties mostly planted by the farmers are TMS 01/1412 (94.34%), TMS 01/1368 (92.40%), TMS 01/ 1371 (68.35%), NR 03/0311 (58 -23%) other varieties of Cassava (61.39%). It was recommended that essential rural development facilities should be provided for cassava farmers in the rural communities of Etim Ekpo L. G. A and Akwa Ibom State in general.

This paper assessed the activities of Fadama III project in Cross River State. It viewed the aim, objectives, achievements, perceptions of beneficiaries and challenges of the project in the state. It was discovered that Fadama III is aimed at increasing the income of rural land and water resource users, reduce rural poverty, increase employment opportunities and facilitate rural economic development. The project drew funds for agricultural and nonagricultural enterprises, including infrastructural development and recorded appreciable achievements at mid-term in infrastructural construction, enterprise funding and training of participants. Consequently, beneficiaries expressed satisfaction over the benefits they derived from the project. The challenges of Fadama III in Cross River include, among others, delayed beneficiaries contribution and inadequate funds to handle requests from communities. The project has thrived in Cross River State, despite various challenges. This study therefore suggests that all stake holders should pay their financial contributions on time, monitoring and supervision should be intensified and there should be intensification of stake holders' sensitization.

This study assessed the perception of farmers on the contribution of vegetables to livelihoods in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study identified the socio-economic characteristics of farmers in the study area, perception of the contribution of vegetables to livelihoods and identified the factors affecting vegetable farming in the study area. Multi-stage sampling techniques were adopted in selecting 126 respondents for the study. Data were collected with the aid of a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency, mean and ranks. The result of the study showed that majority (75.4%) of the respondents were females. Most of the farmers (41.3%) were aged between 36 and 45 years. Some (44.4%) were involved in the cultivation of only vegetables and had farm holdings of 1-2 hectares. Majority had monthly income of <stike>N</stike>71,000.00 to <stike>N</stike>90,000.00. The result of the type of vegetables grown by the respondents revealed that fluted pumpkin ranked 1st (x=2.68) while Utazi ranked 9th (x=1.93). Also the result of the perception of farmers on the contribution of vegetables to livelihoods of farmers showed that vegetables contributed to the income of respondents for training as fashion designers in the study area and were generally excellent. Factors affecting contribution of vegetables to livelihoods were inadequate land, inadequate finance, pests and diseases among others. Vegetables, therefore played a very important role in the livelihoods of farmers in the study area. The study concluded that vegetables are necessary for the improvement of livelihoods of farmers in Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria.