Climate change is expected to intensify existing problems and create new combinations of risks, particularly in Africa. The situation is made worst due to factor such as widespread poverty, over dependence on rain fed agriculture, inequitable land distribution, limited access to capital and technology, inadequate public infrastructure, such as roads, long term weather forecasts and inadequate research and extension. By lessening the severity of key damages to the agricultural sector, adaptation is the key defensive measure. Adaptation to climate change involves changes in agricultural management practices in response to changes in climate conditions. This paper reviews agricultural adaptation strategies employed by farmers in various countries in Africa in cushioning the effects of climate change. The common agricultural adaptation strategies used by farmers were the use of drought resistant varieties of crops, crop diversification, changes in cropping pattern and calendar of planting, conserving soil moisture through appropriate tillage methods, improving irrigation efficiency, and afforestation and agro-forestry. The paper concluded that improving and strengthening human capital through education, outreach programmes, extension services at all levels will improve capacity to adapt to climate change impact. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v39i3.21984 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(3): 407-418, September 2014

The study was undertaken to ascertain the constraints and strategies towards improving cassava production and processing in Enugu north agricultural zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 60 cassava producers and processors (farmers) through the use of structured interview schedule. Multistage sampling technique was applied in the selection of respondents. Mean, standard deviation and exploratory factor analysis were used in realizing the objectives. The results showed that the major constraints to cassava production and processing were agronomic factors, technical/institutional factors and financial factors. The major strategies for improving cassava production and processing include making planting material available at the right time in the right places and at reduced prices, establishment of starch based industries in rural areas for processing cassava and formation of farmers' cooperative societies to enhance farmers' access to information and production facilities. The study, therefore, recommended that starch based industries should be established in rural areas for cassava processing in order to encourage both producers and processors for added value. This will also encourage youth in agriculture for economic growth.

The study ascertained the level of usage as well as constraints to the use of information communication technologies (ICTs)

Background: Oil exploration operations decreased the cultivable lands of rural people in the study area, leading to the establishment of the Green River Project (GRP). This study assessed the effectiveness and constraints of private sector extension services of GRP in Imo and Rivers States, Nigeria. Objectives: To analyse the roles and effectiveness of, as well as constraints to, the GRP in the area. Method: A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, chi square and t-test were used to analyse the data. Results: Roles of GRP in farming technologies dissemination included training of farmers on fish pond construction technique and maintenance of good pH levels. There was significant improvement in standard of living (X2 = 15.7; p ≤ 0.05) and size of production (t = 6.398; p ≤ 0.05) of the respondents after participation. In terms of the effectiveness of private sector deliveries on public policies, the programme had effect on beneficiaries’ access to credit, education of wards and poverty reduction. But it is worthy to note that the observed changes may not have been solely caused by the GRP, given that there could be many other factors affecting fish farming, either positively or negatively. Serious implementation constraints to effective performance of GRP included organisational, input and sustainability constraints. Conclusion: It was recommended that there should be timely provision of sufficient inputs to farmers and measures to improve organisation of private sector extension services in the area in order to enhance development.

The study was conducted to examine the involvement of youth in poultry production in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State. A total of one hundred and twenty five respondents were randomly selected for the study. Data were collected with the use of questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency count percentages and mean. Test of hypothesis was done using chi square. Findings show that more than half (59.2%) of the respondents were male, married (52.8%) while less than half (46.4%) had secondary school education with an average of 6 years farming experience. Most of the respondents (64%) were involved in poultry production specifically broiler production (86.4%). There was considerable high level of involvement in poultry production (64.0%). Years of farming experience (χ 2 = 8.12, p ≤ 0.05) was found to be significantly related with rural youth involvement in poultry production. The study therefore recommends that more youth should be encouraged in poultry production in other to improve their socio-economic status as well as enhancing animal protein sufficiency.

The study assessed farmers' benefits derived from Olam organization's sustainable cocoa production extension activities in Ondo state. Structured and validated interview schedule was used to collect relevant information from thirty cocoa farmers, using multistage random sampling technique from cocoa producing towns (Aponmu, Irese, Laagba, Bagbe, Oboto, Igbo-Ore, Igodo, Arogbo, Ago paanu and Agogo) used by Olam in the state. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean and correlation statistics. The findings revealed that cocoa farmers had benefited from the Olam's extension activities in terms of improved knowledge and skill acquisition in cocoa production as well as economic gains in terms of yield and income. The result of correlation shows that the number of years spent in school (r =-0.389) and household size (r =-0.437) had negative and significant relationship with benefits derived from Olam organization. It was recommended that effective monitoring and evaluation team should be established by Olam organization to improve on the good performance already recorded.

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