The study assessed s soil conservation and waterresources management techniques among small-scale rice farmers in Ebonyi State. A sample of 130 respondents generated via multi-stage, purposive and simple random methods were used. Data were generated through questionnaire and interview schedule and analysed using percentage and mean. Results, showed the indigenous methods for soil and water-resources management used by the rice farmers to include: construction of basin and flow walls ( = 92.3%), construction of dikes ( = 84.6%), ration-harvesting ( = 73%), and compost-manuring ( = 69%).Other indigenous methods used include: use of IPM ( = 65.4%), shifting cultivation and planting of trees ( = 61.5%), crop rotation( = 57.7%) and Mixed cropping ( = 50.0%). Results on level of use of the Agronomical Best Environmental Management Practices (ABEMPs) through physical measures indicated that construction of bund-lines ( = 3.23) and farm-drainage ( = 3.00) were at high level of use, while levelling ( = 2.96), dikes ( = 2.77), stone-lines ( = 2.39), terracing ( = 2.15) were at moderate level of use and plastic mulching ( = 1.85) was at low level of use. Equally, for biological measures mixed-cropping ( = 3.08) was at high level of use, while crop-rotation ( = 2.80), planting of trees ( = 2.62) and fallowcover ( = 2.23) were at moderate level of use and incorporation of residues ( = 1.92) was at low level of use. On the Best Agronomic Practice measures, results showed conservation tillage and liming ( = 3.00) were respectively at high level of use, while mount-making / ridging ( = 2.92), application of compost manure ( = 2.62), use of IPM (2.62) and application of cow dung and poultry droppings ( = 2.50) were at moderate level of use, while irrigation ( = 1.77) and zero tillage ( = 1.23) were at low level of use respectively. The indigenous and ABEMPs methods are geared towards stable renewable resource use through sustainable (soil and water-resources) management techniques. There should be enhanced farmer-scientist research collaboration to develop soil and water-resource management techniques for more sustainable for rice production in the study area.

The study assessed the contributions of rural women entrepreneurs in non-farm and off-farm enterprises to household poverty reduction in general merchandise (11.1%), restaurants/ bars (16.7 %), civil servants (4.4 %), and others (5.6 %) were identified as non-farm and off-farm enterprises. Income from non-farm and off-farm enterprises contributed to a very high extent and high extent (X =4.7, and4.5) and (X =4.4, 3.8 and 3.7)

The study measured

The study provided an empirical evidence on the use of improved goat production technologies among rural farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were, ascertain the extent of use of improved goat production technologies, determine factors influencing use of improved goat production technologies and identify constraints to access and use of improved goat production technologies. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was adopted in selecting 120 respondents. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire and analysed with frequency, percentage, mean and regression model. Respondents were aware of dipping (100%),deworming (99.2%) fostering of kids (93.3%) and colostrum feeding (71.7%), among others. On extent of use of improved goat production technologies, respondents highly used most of improved goat production technologies [grand mean = X̄ = 3.20]. All the respondents [100%] agreed that lack of access to credit was a constraint to use, 100% agreed on lack of credibility from source of technological information, 99.2% agreed that they were afraid of taking risk, 93.3% agreed on difficulty in technology application, among others. Age education, household size, farming experience, farm size, income and access to credit were the determinants of use of improved goat production technologies at 5% level of probability Greater use of available improved technologies will promote productivity, and therefore there is need for proper sensitization and awareness by relevant agencies. Again, credit should be made available to farmers by relevant governmental and nongovernmental agencies to increase the level of use of available improved technologies. Keywords: improved goat production technologies and farmers

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