A B S T R A C T E-wallet-powered Growth Enhancement Support Scheme was designed by the Nigerian Government to facilitate and improve farmers' prompt access to agricultural information and input services. An assessment of the pilot phase of the scheme becomes necessary for an effective implementation. The study therefore assessed the attitude of crop farmers towards the e-wallet platform of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme. A total of 120 crop farmers across the study area were sampled through a simple random sampling method. Data were collected through a well-structured interview schedule, and analysed using percentages, PPMC and Chi-square. Farmers' mean age was 47 years. Majority were males, married and have an average of 15 years farming experience. Maize and cassava were the most grown crops. Majority indicated non commitment of the ADP and long distance to redemption centre as major constraints to use of e-wallet. More than half had favourable attitude towards the e-wallet platform of the Scheme. There is significant relationship between the years of farming and educational level with farmers' attitude towards the e-wallet. Constraints faced also had negative influence on attitude to the scheme. Establishment of more redemption centres to stop the rigor of long queues and reduce long distance covered before accessing the centres will make prompt access to information targeted by e-wallet achieve desired end.

The study examines the perceived efficacy of the Ekiti state Anti-grazing Law (EAGL) as a strategy for managing farmers-herders conflict among stakeholders. Quantitative information was obtained from 148 crop farmers and 73 Fulani pastoralists selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure, while a total of five Focus Group Discussion sessions and In-depth Interviews were also conducted. Analyses of results were carried out using frequency counts mean t-test and Tobit regression. A significant proportion (82.4%; 90.4%) of crop farmers and herdsmen, respectively had a high level of knowledge of the EAGL, perceived the EAGL to have substantial limitations (97.3% crop farmers; 100.0% herdsmen) as measures adopted for conflict management, with poor consultation and mobilization of stakeholders as the most rated factor. Also, 70.3% of crop farmers, but only 8.2% of herdsmen rated the efficacy of the EAGL as high. Farmers and herdsmen were significantly different in their perceived limitation (t =12.44) and efficacy (t = 11.84) of the EAGL. Years of experience (β = 0.102), farm size (β = 0.0001), herd size (β = -0.112) and perceived limitation (β = 0.228) and being a crop farmer (β = 6.689) were predictors of the perceived efficacy of the EAGL. A robust stakeholder analysis and engagement is advocated for the sustainable management of conflicts and commons in future interventions. KEY WORDS: PERCEIVED EFFICACY, CROP FARMERS, HERDSMEN, CONFLICT

Cocoa is one of Nigeria’s most important agricultural commodities due to its status as a source of foreign exchange earnings. However, low quality and hence low patronage of cocoa beans of Nigeria origin has reduced this fortune in recent years due mainly to non-adherence to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) among farmers. The study therefore identified the determinants of compliance to GAP among cocoa farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling procedure was used to select 20% (150) of cocoa farmers across randomly sampled cocoa-producing communities in Ondo State. Information was sourced using a well-structured, validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, mean and Ordinary Least Square (OLS). Majority of farmers had good knowledge of GAP. However, farmers were mostly faced with constraints such as high cost of agrochemicals and labor scarcity. Farmers rated economic benefits of GAP as high; while health and environmental benefits were rated low; with high acceptability of cocoa; utilization of soil organic matter and prevention of respiratory malfunctioning identified as top economic, environmental and health benefits, respectively. Although the general compliance was high across different GAP, practices to which farmers were least compliant were however of relatively high economic, health and environmental implications. Knowledge, perceived health and perceived economic benefits of GAP were important determinants of compliance. The extension unit of the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture should prioritize sensitization and education of farmers on the economic, health and environmental benefits of GAP of cocoa in order to ensure profitability and sustainability of production.

The study examined perceptions of final year students of agriculture at the University of Fort Hare to practical agricultural experience. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to obtain data from 278 which were analysed, using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study reveals that more than half (55.0%) had favourable perceptions of practical agriculture experience (PAE). However, only about half (51.1%) expressed a high level of satisfaction. The majority (61.9%) were in favour of on-the-farm internships. There was a significant relationship between respondents' perceptions regarding improved performance (r = 0.276), general attitude to PAE (r = 0.438) and overall satisfaction with the PAE programme. Based on its findings, this study has implications for the evaluation process of the programme and suggests that the design of the PAE should center around on-farm activities based on a specific number of weeks for internships on commercial farms. This will provide the reallife experiential learning that could stimulate students to venture into practical farming post-graduation.

This study investigated the trait preferences for cassava in the context of climate change and conflict stressors among value-chain actors in Nigeria to strengthen social inclusion and the community-resilience outcomes from breeding programs. Multi-stage sampling procedures were used to select and interview male and female value-chain participants in the Osun, Benue and Abia States. The results indicated that farmers preferred cassava traits such as drought tolerance, early bulking, multiple-product use and in-ground storability to strengthen resilience. Climate change and challenges related to social change shaped the response strategies from both genders, and influenced trait preferences, including the early re-emergence of cassava leaves, stems that had ratooning potential, and especially the root milking that was important among female respondents. The major response strategies employed by men included frequent farm visits to prevent theft and engaging in non-agricultural livelihoods. Those employed by women included backyard farming, early harvesting, having preferences for food with fewer processing steps, and depending on remittances. The resilience capacity was higher for men than for women due to their better access to assets, as well as their abilities to relocate their farms and out-migrate in search of other livelihoods. Considering gendered cassava traits, and enhancing their resilience and response strategies, can complement efforts to make breeding more socially inclusive, resilient, and anticipatory to future challenges created by climate and related social changes.