School of Agricultural Management and Extension Technology (SAMET)

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School of Agricultural Management and Extension Technology(SAMET)

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Adaptation Strategies and Utilization to Climate Change and Variability by Farming Households in Agricultural Zone 1 Niger State, Nigeria
(Journal of Science Technology and Education, 8(2), 2020) Ibrahim, M.; Mohammed, Y.; Abdullahi, A.; Shaba, E.; Yisa, K. M
The objectives of the study includes, describe the socioeconomic characteristics of farming households, examine the level of knowledge of farming households on climate change and variability, ascertain adaptation strategies to climate change and variability adopted by farming households and their perception of its effectiveness and examine the constraints associated with farming households on the adoption of climate change and variability adaptation strategies in the study area. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select a total of 188 respondents for the study. The data were collected through primary source using questionnaire and interview schedule and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Likert type rating. The finding revealed the hierarchy in adoption of adaptation strategies to climate change and variability with planting early maturing varieties and planting of high yielding varieties were 100% adopted. These variables were closely followed by use of agro-chemicals and use of manure (organic or inorganic) with 98.9%. In conclusion, adaptation strategies to climate change and variability that were found to be effective was identified and when adapted would reduce effect and impact of climate change and variability on farming household. It was recommended weather information that is more reliable should be adequately relate to farmers using right channel, High yielding and early maturing varieties should be made available to farmers at subsidized rate and timely by the releasing institutions and organization,
Adoption of Organic Farming practices among Rural maize farmers in Niger State, Nigeria
(Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology, 18(2), 2019) Abdullahi, A.; Salihu, I. T.; Umar, I. S.; Hassan.S
The study investigated adoption of organic practices among rural maize farmers in Niger state, Nigeria, with specific objectives of describing socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers, identifying farmers’ sources of information on organic practices, examining adoption level of organic practices in maize production and identifying constraints limiting adoption of organic practices by the farmers. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 222 maize farmers and data collected through structured questionnaire were analyzed using frequency counts, means and percentages. Results obtained shows that farmers in the study area were males (70.3%), mostly married (75.7%) with formal education (62.6%) at mean age and household size of 35.8 years and six (6) persons respectively. Also, farmers regularly acquire information about organic practices through extension agents (72.5%), relatives and neighbours (90.1%). Similarly, eight (8) out of the 15 practices identified were adopted. These include crop rotation (59.9%), mixed cropping (79.7%), mixed farming (73.0%), hoe/hand weeding (61.3%), slash and burn (54.1%), hoe/minimum tillage (66.2%), farm yard manure (53.2%) and crop residue incorporation (83.8%). Total adoption by the farmers was restricted by constraints such as; high costs of organic inputs (x=2.92), Difficulty in accessing loans for organic crop production (x=2.86) and low supply of manure (x=2.86). To this end, adoption level of organic practices among rural maize farmers in Niger State can be said to be moderate thus; it was recommended that change agents should enlighten farmers on various organic methods of weed, pest and disease control through the major sources of information in the area
Agricultural farming system options for alleviating poverty in Nigeria: A case study of Niger State
(International Journal of Agricultural Economics, Management and Development (IJAEMD), 2012-03) Ajayi, O. J., Ojo, M. A., Ndatsu, J. A., Ogaji, A., & Udemazue, V. N.
The study examined the types of farming system adopted as well as the effect of farming systems on poverty alleviation among farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. The primary data for the study were obtained using structured questionnaire administered to eighty randomly sampled farmers from two Local Government Areas. Descriptive statistics and production function using regression model were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that young farmers of working age dominated the farming process. The regression model estimated revealed double log (Cobb Douglas) as the lead equation with the value of coefficient of determination (R) 0.8440, indicating that 84.44% of the variation in farm output was explained by the inputs included in regression model. The F-ratio estimated as 36.28 was significant at 1% level of probability. The result also showed that labour, other input costs, access to credit and farming system adopted were significant 10% while farm size was significant at 5% level of probability. It was therefore amended that extension workers should educate the farmers to enable them understand the different techniques of different farming systems in order to increase their level of productivity Moreso, Government should make agricultural inputs available at subsidized rates so that they can afford them.
An Appraisal of Farmers’ Knowledge Level on Information and Communication Technologies Utilization in Niger State, Nigeria
(Journal of Animal and Plant Research, Vol. 01, Issue, 03, 2024) Shuaibu, U.; Abdullahi, A.
The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in sharing information is very important in disseminating of agricultural information in Nigeria. Therefore, this study examined farmer’s knowledge level on utilization of ICT tools for farming in Niger state, Nigeria. A ordered logit model and descriptive statistics were used to examine the data that were gathered from 135 respondents. The findings showed that the majority of respondents (86.7%) had a good level of education, had an average age of 30, and had an average of 11 years of experience producing food crops. However data analysis reveals that mobile phone (97.8%) ranked first in terms of types of ICTs equipment used by the farmers while, fixed telephone (32.6%) was the least. Farmers also had moderate (61.5%) knowledge level on ICTs equipment. The ordered Logit regression analysis indicates that the following variables were found to be important determinants of farmers' knowledge level about the use of ICTs equipment in crop production: age, gender, marital status, compatibility, relative advantage, educational level, and farming experience. Therefore, it was suggested that an ICT training program be set up or arranged to educate farmers about the benefits of utilizing ICT technology in their farming operations
An Assessment of the Factors Influencing Maize Farmers’ Perception and Adoption of Organic Farming Practices in Niger State, Nigeria
(Journal of Animal and Plant Research, 1(3), 2024) Abdullahi, A.; Shuaibu, U.
This study used Heckman's analytical method to evaluate the impact on corn farmers' perception and adoption of organic farming practices. A multi-stage method was used to select 222 breeders and data collected from a semi-structured survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics (such as frequency, percentage, mean) and Hackman's two-stage selection model. The results showed that farmers in the study area were mostly male (70.3%), educated (62.6%), and had an average age of 35.8 years. Additionally, the fact that the majority of farmers were in favor of organic agriculture resulted in the approval of eight (8) of the 15 agreements in the region. Practices applied are: return of straw to the field (83.8%), mixing (79.7%), mixed tillage (73.0%), hoeing/reduced tillage (66.2%), hoeing/hand weeding (61.3%) and crop rotation (61.3%). 59.9%, slash and burn plants (54.1%) and farm manure (53.2%). The results of Heckman's two-stage analysis show evidence of sample selection problems where rho is different from zero, while lambda and efficiency (Wald chi2 = 40.51) are significant at 10% and 1% respectively. From the selection model, farmers' views on the use of traditional methods are positively influenced by socio-economic factors such as age, education, agriculture, access to extension services, similar benefits and income, while gender and family size are associated with understanding. In the outcome (adoption) model, the results showed that agricultural education and livestock production increased, with small farmers more likely to adopt organic farming than large farmers. Therefore, the culture of maize farmers in Niger is neutral and mostly influenced by the culture of the farmers. Therefore, it is recommended that agricultural suppliers provide sufficient amounts of organic material to corn producers and extension organizations that will train farmers regularly
Analysis of farm level technical efficiency in maize production in Kogi State, Nigeria: A stochastic frontier approach.
(Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, 2012-08) Ogaji A., Tanko, L. and Omolehin, R.A.
ABSTRACT The technical efficiency, determinants of production and the sources of inefficiency in maize production in Kogi State were investigated using the stochastic translog production function which incorporates a model for inefficiency effects. Data were generated using the multi-stage random sampling techniques. A total of 240 farm households from three agricultural zones were randomly selected. Farm size and labour inputs were the major factors associated with changes in the output of maize-based production in the study area. The technical efficiency of the farmers ranges from 40.2% - 96.4 % with mean efficiency of 83.9 %. Age of the farmer, level of education, farming experience, household size, credit status and membership of co-operative societies were the factors that significantly accounted for the observed variation in efficiencies among farmers. Expansion of farm holdings, acquisition of formal education and strengthening of the existing extension services were recommended.
ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLD LABOUR-USE IN YAM PRODUCTION: THE CASE OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
(Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, 2014) Ojo, A.O., Eneji, S.O., Ojo, M.A. and Ogaji, A.
The study examined the analysis of household labour-use in yam production in Benue State, Nigeria. Data collection involved the use of primary data using a structured interview schedule to elicit relevant information from the yam farmers. A total of one hundred and fourteen yam farmers were randomly selected for the study. The analytical techniques used to achieve the specified objectives involved descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression analysis. The study revealed that 74.6% of the yam farmers in the study area were male with a mean age of 43 years which was an indication that they were in their economically active age. In addition, allocation of labour varied with farming activities with 94.7% of the sampled farmers engaged both family and hired labour for their farm operations in the study area. The analysis of the determinants of household labour-use showed an R2 value of 25% while the F-value was significant at p < 0.01 which implied that the model was of good fit. Years of experience (X3) and household size (X5) were statistically significant at p < 0.01 while age (X1) and, extension contact (X4) were statistically significant at p < 0.05. This indicated that those who had contact with extension agent better used the knowledge gained to enhance production efficiency of household labour in the area. The main household labour use constraints were inadequate farm inputs and lack of relevant information. Based on these results, it is therefore recommended that government and non-governmental organizations should sensitize the yam farmers on relevant information that would improve their productivity and efficient use of household labour in the area.
Analysis of income diversification among fish farmers in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State
(Journal of Agricultural Research and Development, 2018) Ogaji, A., Adewumi, A., Ibrahim, M. and Danlami, C.D.
The study examined income diversification among fish farmers in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 120 respondents selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Simpson index of diversity, Gini coefficient and Tobit regression model. Result showed that an average fish farmer in the area was 45 years hold and had household size of 8 persons. 86.7% of the respondents were males, 95.0% were married and 99.2% had one form of formal education or the other. The SID result obtained revealed that the fish farmers were highly diversified with diversification index of 0.8055 and that income distribution among them is relatively even with estimated Gini coefficient of 0.1955. The tobit regression result shows that the respondents’ gender at p< 0.05, age at p< 0.05, educational level at p< 0.01, marital status at p< 0.10, household size at p< 0.01, income from primary occupation at p< 0.10 and access to extension services factors at p< 0.10 were the significant determinants of income diversification among the fish farmers in Shiroro LGA of Niger State. It was recommended that income diversification through fish production in the study area can be encouraged by involving females and youth’s participation in fish production, and that further research work in the area among the fish farmers should focus on their poverty and food security status.
ANALYSIS OF TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY IN TOMATOES PRODUCTION IN ZARIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE
(2013) Ogaji, A., Odine, A. I., Adebayo, C. O., & Adewara, I. T.
The study analyzed technical efficiency and its determinants in tomatoes production in Zaria, Kaduna state. The study was based on primary data collected from 120 tomato farmers by the use of multistage sampling techniques. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and the use of stochastic production frontier. The results indicate that most (70%) of the farmers were men between the ages of 31 and 50. It also showed that increase in farm size, fertilizer and seeds will lead to a considerable increase in tomato production. Furthermore, the mean technical efficiency was 0.6 and this was influenced by age, farm experience, contact with extension agents and access to credit. The study concludes that farmers can further increase their output and therefore recommends that credits should be made available to farmers and also extension agents should be encouraged to visit the farmers more often as this translates into increased efficiency.
Analysis of yam value chain in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria
(African Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences (AJAAS), 2022) Ogaji, A., Oseghale, A.I., Yisa, F., Samuel, Y.J., Jimoh, K.K. and Abubakar, A.
The study analyzed yam value chain in Paikoro Local Government Areas of Niger State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select actors for the study. First stage involved purposive selection of Paikoro LGA of Zone B due to their prevalence in yam production and marketing. The second stage involved random selection of five villages from the LGA while the third stage involved random selection of 100 producers, 25 processors, 25 wholesalers and 25 retailers from the selected villages. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed the mean age of various actors, producers 43, wholesalers 37, retailers 35 and processors 40 years respectively. From which 99.0%, 88.0%, and 64.0% were male respectively, while 64.0% of processors were female. Majority of the actors had formal education with a mean farming experience of 9.5, 13, 9, and 11 years respectively. The OLS analysis revealed the coefficient age of producers (0.005), household size (0.013), educational level (0.009), farming experience (0.401) and credit availability (6.44e) were statistically significant at 0.10 and 0.01 probability level respectively while wholesalers had coefficient of educational level (2795.015), labour input supplied (3124.298) and credit (13.150) were statistically significant at 0.10 and 0.01 probability level. The retailers education level coefficient (25129.64), experience (3245.863), labour input (6219.373) and cost of transportation (5.798) were significant at 0.10, 0.05, 0.01 probability level. Furthermore, processing experience (10.073), educational level (2300.661) and labour input (2795.015) were significant at 0.10 and 0.01 probability level. The above affect value added by their various actors respectively in the study area. Constraints to yam production include pest and disease, inadequate finance and transportation. The study therefore recommends that actors in the yam value chain should form cooperative societies to access finance and government should provide efficient road network system to facilitate transportation.
Appraisal of Bio-security measures among Poultry Farmers in Nassarawa State, Nigeria
(Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 24 (2), 2021) Jibrin, S.; Salihu, I.T.; Abdullahi, A.; Muhammed, H.U.; Hassan, S.; Aliyu, A.
The study assessed the bio-security measure employed by poultry farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, the objectives of the research were to examine socioeconomic characteristics of the poultry farmers; identify the sources of information on bio-security measures used by farmers; examine the types of biosecurity measures adopted by the poultry farmers; determine the factors influencing bio-security measures adopted by the poultry farmers and; examine the constraints associated with the adoption of bio-security measure by the poultry farmers in the study area. Data was collected from randomly selected 60 poultry farmers using well-structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regressions. The result shows that mean age, farming experience and flock size was 35 years, 7years and 6363 birds respectively. Almost all (93.33%) of the respondents had tertiary level of education. The majority (73.33%) of the farmers sourced bio-security information from veterinary officer and co-poultry farmers (58.33%). Major bio-security measures used by farmers include, isolation and quarantine of new birds (WM=3.90), disinfecting vehicles and all equipment before entry into the farm (WM=3.83) and avoiding contaminated feed and stagnant water (WM=3.87). The regression analysis revealed that the factors influencing bio-security measures adopted by the poultry farmers include Age, Farming experience, educational level, cooperative membership and system of poultry farming with an 𝑅2 of 0.3140. The result shows that farmers carry out bio-security measure but have limited knowledge and resources for effective operation. The government, NGOs, and extension agent/workers should educate farmers on the importance and use of bio-security measures and effort should be made to bring down the cost of disinfectants for optimum production.
Assessment of Adoption of improved Ginger Production Technologies in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria
(Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 15(2), 2019) Ibrahim, M.; Abdullahi, A.; I.I. Yakubu; K.M. Yisa
The study examines the adoption of improved ginger production technologies among farmers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Multistage sampling was adopted. Kajuru LGA was purposively selected because of the preponderance of ginger production. In the second stage, a random selection of four extension blocks was made and eight extension cells were also randomly selected. Data were collected from 172 respondents through structured questionnaire and analysed using simple descriptive statistic. The result shows that the mean age of respondents was 32.5years and majority (82.5%) were literates. Mean farming experience was 15years. More than half (56.7%) of the respondents acquired their land through inheritance and majority (81%) got to know about improve ginger production technologies through radio. Improved production technologies such as use of herbicides ( =3.4), use of tarpaulins ( =3.4), use of jute bags ( =3.4) ranked highest among other production technologies adopted by the farmers. Constraints to adoption of improved ginger production technology were; lack of interest among youths ( =2.6) and high cost of hydro chemical ( =2.5). It was concluded that radio was the major source of awareness of ginger production technologies and use of chemical for land treatment ranked 1st in terms of adoption and farm size not adequate being major constraint. The use of radio programme should be strengthened for information dissemination. Land tenure regulations should be modified to allow famers access to land. Chemical weed control should also be encouraged among ginger farmers.
Assessment of factors influencing poultry production among rural farmers in Katcha and Lapai Local Government Areas of Niger State, Nigeria
(Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (JAAT) 13(1), 2024) Muhammad, H.U.; Muhammad, Y.; Abdullahi, A.; Jibrin, S.
The study assessed factors influencing poultry production among small-scale farmers in Katcha and Lapai Local Government Areas of Niger State. A three-stage sampling procedure was used to select 132 small-scale poultry farmers, to whom structured questionnaires were administered to collect primary data. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency count, percentages, and means), inferential statistics (multiple regressions), and farm budgeting techniques. The socio-economic characteristics of the farmers showed that most (45.5%) were between 30-40 years of age with a mean age of 36 years, 70.1% of the farmers were male, and 57.5% were married. The mean household size was six persons, while the mean farming experience was 5.2 years. Over half (53.0%) of the farmers had primary and secondary school education. The costs and returns evaluation result revealed that the farmers incurred more expenses in purchasing feeds (₦68,616.34). In contrast, returns on poultry production were ₦357,103.54 with a profitability and efficiency ratio of 1.28 and 2.28, respectively, per 100 birds. The multiple regression results revealed that feeds (0.0561), drugs/vaccines (0.0577), credit (0.0520), age (0.0192), education (0.0122), household size (0.0425) and farming experience (0.1617) significantly influence poultry output at 1% and 5% level of probability. Meanwhile, the high cost of feed (ẋ=2.45) and high temperature (ẋ= 2.29) were the most severe constraints faced by the poultry farmers. These findings showed that the poultry farmers were making reasonable returns from poultry farming. The government and other relevant stakeholders should encourage the farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices to mitigate the effects of temperature on poultry birds. Also, extension services should be intensified, for increased poultry production in the study area.
ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS USAGE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN PAIKORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
(International Journal of Agriculture and Development Studies (IJADS), 2017) Ogaji, A., Oseghale, A. I., Jibrin, S., Ibrahim, F. D., & Yusuf, A. K.
The study was conducted in Paiko local government area of Niger State, Nigeria, with the objective of assessing farmers’ usage and effectiveness of information and communication technologies and also to determine respondent’s level of use of new information and communication technologies. Data were obtained through the use of questionnaire administered on 60 farmers that were randomly selected and analysed using descriptive statistics, 3- point likert scale and logit regression. The study revealed that an overwhelming majority (81.7%) of the respondent were males with an average age of 43years with formal education. Farm size and number of extension visits were the factors that influenced the use of ICT. While increase in the farm size lead to decrease in the odds of ICT usage, increase in extension visit on the other hand led to increase in the odds of ICT usage. Based on the findings of the study, it is therefore recommended that ICT facilities and training should be channeled more to the large scale farmers since they have a higher likelihood of using them.
Assessment of Rural Households’ participation in empowerment programmes of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Niger State, Nigeria
(International Journal of Agricultural Economics, Management and Development (IJAEMD), 10(1), 2022) Usman, U. N.; Salihu, I.T.; Abdullahi, A.; Umar, S.
NGOs have become tremendously active in a wide range of discipline and other more specialized roles such as poverty alleviation, emergency response, human rights work; hence the need to know rural households’ participation in these programmes. Therefore, this study assessed rural households’ participation on empowerment programmes of nongovernmental organizations in Niger state Nigeria. Data was obtained from randomly selected 112 households using structured questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed that majority of the respondents (66.1%) were females, single (63.4%), had no formal education (66.1%) and are mostly farmers (63.4%). to The result on the extent of household participation in empowerment programmes showed that skill acquisitions and vocational training (X ̅=3.85) ranked first while Community sanitation services (X ̅=2.18) ranked the least. Probit regression model was used to analyzed the factors affecting the participation in empowerment programmes of NGOS, the result revealed that marital institution (0.66), formal education (0.71), distance to nearest market (-0.47), household size (-0.20), age (0.44) and complexity of the programme (-0.87) are significant determinants. The constraints of households’ participation in empowerment programmes of NGOs were inaccessibility to the programmes, lack of awareness and language barriers. Thus, it was recommended that Non-Governmental rganizations should broaden their links so as to expose the rural people to a variety of empowerment/ training programmes.
Assessment of technical and resource-use efficiency of yam production in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria.
(Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2015) Ojo, A. O., Eneji, S. O., Ojo, M. O., Adebayo, C. O., and Ogaji, A.
This study analyzed the technical and resource-use efficiency of yam production in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State using Stochastic Frontier Model. Primary data were collected for one year period using structured questionnaire. The result of the summary statistics revealed an average farm size of 3.28 ha/ farmer which was an indication that they were small-scale farmers. The maximum likelihood estimates showed that planting materials, herbicides, capital inputs and fertilizers were the major determinants of the technical efficiency of the farmers in the area. The estimated coefficient of the inefficiency function revealed that sex, level of involvement in farming, membership of cooperative, extension contact and fertilizer usage reduced the technical inefficiency of the farmers. The technical efficiency indices revealed that none of the farmers operated at maximum efficiency frontier level with a mean technical efficiency of 0.638, which implied that the farmers were able to obtain about 64% of yam output from a given mix of production inputs. The result of the resource-use efficiency showed that the farmers were inefficient in the use of their resources. Based on the results, it is therefore recommended that government should organize training programmes to educate the farmers on the technical knowhow of yam production so as to improve their technical efficiency frontier level. In addition, extension agents should be engaged in training the farmers on how they can optimized the use of resources to increase their efficiency level and reduce input wastage.
Assessment of the Economic Empowerment of Women before and after Establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
(Journal of International Women's Studies, 2024) 10. Oseghale, A.I., Jirgi, A. J., Ibrahim, F.D., Ogaji, A., Ojo, A. O., Bako, R.U., Sallawu, H.
Gender forms an integral element of every aspect of the economic, social, and private lives of individuals and societies. Growth and development can only be achieved if all resources and talents are harnessed; however, all over the globe, there are laws and regulations which can restrict or encourage women’s economic opportunities. This study analyzed the before and after trends in women’s economic empowerment among the members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) union. The study utilized the Women, Business, and the Law Index Score from 1970 to 2021 for the 15 member countries of ECOWAS which was sourced from the World Bank’s Gender data. The Index was used as a proxy for the economic empowerment of women. Secondary data were downloaded and the mean, maximum, and minimum scores were generated for the selected variables and presented using line and bar charts. The Index was supplemented with qualitative assessments of the de facto status of women. The results showed that most of the ECOWAS member states adopted numerous commitments to gender rights post-ECOWAS. Specifically, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde made serious advancement post-ECOWAS, moving from an average score of 48 and 37 to 65 and 66 respectively while Nigeria and Gambia had the least advancement between the pre-and post-ECOWAS eras in the area of women’s empowerment. Overall, ECOWAS countries did not thrive well in parenthood (mean score = 42.9) as only 6 countries adopted commitments for empowering women after having children. The study recommended that policies such as job-protected pay and leave of adequate length should be put in place to increase women’s economic empowerment. In addition, member states should enact and enforce comprehensive equal pay legislation to ensure that men and women receive equal pay for equal work.
Assessment of Youths participation in cassava production under the value chain development programme (VCDP) in Bida Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria
(Scientific papers series management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development, 19(3), 2018) Jirgi, A.J.; Adebayo, C. O.; Abdullahi, A.; Ibrahim, F. D.; Coker, A. A. A.
The study was carried out to assess youths participation in cassava production under value chain development programme (VCDP) in Bida local overnment Area of Niger State, Nigeria, with the specific objectives of describing the socio-economic characteristics of the VCDP participants, costs and returns, level of youths participation and factors influencing youth participation in the VCDP. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 100 young cassava farmers and data collected were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and probit regression analysis. The level of profitability was measured using gross margin and net farm income analysis. The results obtained shows that farmers in the study area had low formal education and were mostly married males with an average age and household size of 32 years and six (6) persons respectively. The gross margin and net farm income were N 109,050.00 and N 103,450.00 per hectare, respectively. The level of youths’ participation under the VCDP was moderate and this was influenced by their age, gender, level of education, marital status, household size, farming occupation and cooperative membership. The major constraints faced by the farmers includes: poor extension agents/farmers’ ratio, inadequate capital and lack of market linkage. To this end, it was recommended that change agents should enlighten farmers on the benefit of VCDP and functional cooperative that could facilitate credit and group dynamism.
Causes and perceived socio-economic implications of Rural-Rural migration on Livelihood of some selected Communities in Makwa Area of Niger State, Nigeria.
(International Journal of Agriculture and Development studies, 3(1), 2018) Salihu, I.T.; Muhammed, H.U.; Abdullahi, A.; Muhammad, U. S.
The diversity of the ecological features, the varying local resources and location of agricultural activities in rural areas serves the major pull factors for migration directed towards rural areas. The study assessed the causes and perceived socio economic implications of rural rural migration on the livelihood of selected communities of Mokwa area of Niger State, Nigeria. A multi stage random sampling technique was employed to select 120 migrant farmers and non migrants used for the study. The interview schedule was used to elicit information for the study. The responses were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and mean scores. The results revealed that rural rural migration is mostly undertaken by young adults within the age range of 30 50years and with low level of education. Environmental degradation factors such as infertile land (41.56%), incidences of flood (23.37%) and inadequate cultivable land (15.58%) were the major push factors causing rural out migration. While availability of cultivable fertile land (56.94%) was the major pull factor that attract migrants to the study area. The perceived socio-economic implications of the influx of migrants to the study area were increased rate of crime ( = 4.19), increased political unrest ( = 3.79), high level of sexual promiscuity ( = 3.64), introduction of new diseases ( = 3.31), and increased level of agricultural production ( = 3.27). The major problems encountered by the migrants in the study area were inaccessibility to infrastructural facilities (28.57%), insecurity (25.28%) and difficulty in land acquisition (20.88%). The study recommended that there is need to strengthen awareness campaigns and redirection of policies that can check poor land utilization and unsustainable agricultural practices in rural areas to curb the menace of out migration.
Comparative assessment of Rural Women poverty status in Suleja and Gurara Local Government Areas of Niger State, Nigeria
(Journal of Agriculture and food environment, 9(1), 2022) Muhammad, H. U.; Salihu, I.T.; Abdullahi, A.; Jibrin, S.; Hassan, S.; Aliyu, A.
Poverty is pervasive in rural areas of Niger State. Women living in rural households are more vulnerable to poverty than men. Thus, this study seeks to assess rural women farmers’ poverty status in Suleja and Gurara local government areas (LGAs) of Niger state, Nigeria. Interview schedules complimented with a questionnaire were used to obtain information from a total of 142 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) and Probit regression models. The results revealed that majority of the women were married (70.0%) and (78.5%) at mean ages of 38 and 40 years respectively. The result also showed that 85.7% and 93.7% of the women farmers identified processing of farm produce as their major source of farm income in Suleja and Gurara LGAs respectively. FGT analysis showed that 41% and 24%, of women in Suleja and Gurara LGAs of the State were poor at a Poverty line of ₦19,102.29 and ₦19,931.08 per month, respectively. The Probit regression results revealed that age, marital status, level of education, farming experience, number of extension visits, farm income and access to credit were the major factors influencing poverty among the rural women of Suleja and Gurara LGAs of Niger State. The study concluded that there was a higher level of poverty among the rural women farmers of Gurara compared to Suleja LGA, hence efforts should be made to diversify the livelihood portfolios of rural women in the study areas to enhance sustainability through the various women empowerment programs, extension services and credit facilities.