International Journal of Agricultural Science Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems
Volume:11 Issue: 2, Jun 2022

The present study seeks to investigate farmer`s application of integrated solutions programme package for rainfed sorghum farmers in South Gezira Locality, Sudan. A field survey was used to collect data from 125 rainfed farmers participated in the programme and an equal number from non- participant farmers from the study area were selected for comparison using the simple random sampling technique. A close-ended questionnaire was constructed and the personal interview technique was used to administer the questionnaire. The collected data were coded, fed to the computer and statistically analyzed using (SPSS), discussed interpreted using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The descriptive analysis showed that the majority of participant farmers applied the programme components while chi-square test result revealed there was no significant association between participant farmer`s application of the programme components and their participation in the programme as a result of many constraints facing them in the application of the programme components . From this study, it can be concluded that the national programme for supporting rainfed sorghum farmers are very effective agricultural national policy that can be applied in the rainfed sector of the country, which in turn will help rainfed farmers to increase their production and consequently their income through the application (adoption )of the programme components. The study recommends that this national programme for supporting rainfed sorghum farmers should become a national policy, the needed inputs should be available and the agricultural extension officers should be trained on the programme components to be able to implement it effectively. DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.1.5

It is usually believed that there is variation in educational attainment between migrant and non-migrant households. Therefore, the objective of this study was to find out the differences in educational attainment of the households in terms of migration status. Primary data were collected through structured interview schedule from 100 non-migrant and 100 migrant households of four villages under two upazilas in Tangail District, Bangladesh. Various indicators of educational attainment were analyzed by using descriptive statistics with a comparison between migrant and non-migrant households. Findings revealed that the number of school going children is lower in migrant households than that of non-migrant households. However, in migrant households, the percentages of primary and secondary levels of education are higher whereas, the percentage of tertiary level of education is higher in non-migrant households. The educational expenditure is comparatively lower and the percentage of total dropout is bit higher in migrant households than that of the non-migrant households. It can be concluded that remittances do not always trigger the educational attainment of the left behind children. Therefore, proper investment of remittances on education should be ensured in order to improve the educational attainment of migrant households.   DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.2.6

The purpose of this study is to prioritize the effective components of capital in the agricultural sector with a fuzzy approach.Because Given the limited resources of capital, and especially for a developing country, the emphasis on investment and its allocation to key sectors is very important. Also, by paying more attention to the sectors with higher priority for investment, while benefiting from some savings, domestic needs can be met and the ground for presence and competition in global markets can be provided. The role of investment in the agricultural sector in creating job opportunities is undeniable, and growth of GDP and economic growth depends on investment. To achieve this goal this method has been used for the first time and is innovative in terms of theme and fuzzy conceptual model used and includes previous research and documentation, interviewing experts in agricultural sector and using MAXQDA 2018 software. And the reliability of the researcher-made questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.855 was obtained. The statistical population includes 62 people, who after studying and reviewing, identified four main criteria and eight sub-indicators. After performing Fuzzy Hierarchical Analysis (FAHP) using MATLAB software, finally, the prioritization of the eight identified sub-indices was obtained. According to the results, the highest weight belongs to the S criterion (technical reality) with a value of 0.554, and the lowest weight belongs to the W criterion (cultural and social) with a value of 0.031.   DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.3.7

The study investigated the training needs of agricultural extension workers on the use of information and communication technology (ICT). Some specific objectives were to ascertain the level of awareness on channels of information on ICT available to extension workers and to identify the constraints facing agricultural extension workers on the use of ICT in Delta State. A sample size of 80 was obtained; first, purposive and second, random sampling techniques. Information was gathered with a semi-structured questionnaire. Major results obtained revealed that the respondents’ awareness of information channels on ICT were mostly telephone (96.3%), photo camera (95.0%) and radio (93.9%). In the competence of ICT utilization, telephone with on-line forum (group chat) (mean = 3.6), and laptop (mean = 3.3) were most applicable. However, low competence in usage was recorded in video conferencing (mean = 2.0), and GPS (mean = 1.7). The most serious constraints were frequent power failure (mean = 3.7), high cost of ICT infrastructure coupled with poor communication network (mean = 3.6) in the rural areas of Delta State. Result of tested hypothesis showed that there was a significant relationship between social economic profile of respondents and ICT competence of extension workers (p <0.05). The benefits of the study is typical in the exposure of necessary training needs made available for development interventions. It was recommended that there ought to be regular electricity power supply, subsidized the high cost of ICT and availability of good communication network in rural areas.   DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.4.8

The study made use of a gender disaggregated data to examine the effect of income on modern healthcare utilization among female and male headed household farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 200 households were randomly selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was used for the purpose of extracting needed information from the respondents. The data collected was analyzed with descriptive statistics and Ordinary least square regression analysis. The mean annual health expenditure of the male and female headed households were #2,810 and #4,010 respectively. The result of regression analysis revealed that access to modern healthcare service, years of schooling, membership of Social group and amount of credit accessed significantly affects utilization of modern heath care among the male farming households heads while household size, years of schooling, access to healthcare service, amount of credit, membership of social group and Income affects the utilization of modern healthcare among the female headed households. The study concluded that income significantly affects utilization of modern healthcare among female headed households when compared with their male counterparts. It is therefore recommended that there should proper awareness of the benefit of using modern healthcare services in farming communities especially among the male headed households.   DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.5.9

The paper sought to investigate the effect of simultaneous use of radio- and mobile phone- based agricultural market information systems on smallholder farmers’ access to information focusing on prices of agricultural inputs and commodities. A multivariate probit model was estimated to gauge potential use of each information system by farmers to access information on prices of agricultural inputs and commodities. Results reveals limited use of mobile phones to jointly access input and commodity prices as the devices were mainly for accessing information on commodity prices. The cost of using mobile phones was the dominant factor underlying the low use of mobile phones to access information on commodity prices. The cost of use along with farmers’ access to extension and group membership were the major factors underlying the use of radio to access price information. Results predicted higher prospect for smallholder farmers to use radio- than mobile phone-based information system to access information on agricultural inputs and commodities. Endeavors to promote farmers access to markets information should focus on creating synergies with extension services and local initiatives linking farmers through groups. Future research on the subject matter should attempt to accommodate more means of acquiring market information including extension agents and explanatory variables to enhance robustness of the adopted model or its variants.