International Journal of Agricultural Science Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems
Volume:9 Issue: 3, Sep 2019

Livelihood sustainability remains a major challenge for rural households in Northern Ghana. Although farming has traditionally been the core livelihood strategy for most households, diversifying into non-farm activities remains a common livelihood strategy employed to sustain household basic needs, particularly for women, who because of their gender often face challenges in accessing land for farming purposes. There remains a dearth in knowledge regarding understanding fully the factors, which influence livelihood diversification activities women in Ghana. The paper uses a Probit model to examine the factors that influence livelihood diversification activities, using cross-sectional data from households in Northern Ghana. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 260 households for investigation. Data were collected by use of survey questionnaire and analysed using Probit model with livelihood diversification being the dependent variable. The findings showed that age, household size, formal education, group membership, participation in training, participation in decision-making, resource access and level of household poverty to influence women’s participation in livelihood diversification. The results suggest that policy to improve women’s participation in decision-making and provide support to women non-farm livelihood groups in the form of training, credit and markets, which will be vital to enhancing livelihood and reducing poverty in Northern Ghana.

The purpose of this study was to determine the push and pull factors promoting agroforestry tree crop depletion on rural household in Delta State. A multistage sampling technique was used. The sample size for the study was 120 farmers. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics such as chart, means derived from 5-point likert scale and inferential statistics such as logistic regression model and multiple regression model. The results of the chart on the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers showed that majority (62%) of the farmers were between the ages of 31-40 years. High proportion (79%) of the respondents were female. Majority (77%) of the respondents were married. Most (75%) of the respondents were formally educated. The modal class of respondents farming experience was 16-20 years. The logistic result revealed that age, household size and farm size were positively significant at 5% and 10% probability level while farm income, land tenure and level of education were negatively significant at 5% probability level respectively. The Cobb-Douglas function was chosen because it had the best fit. The coefficient of multiple determinations (R2) was 0.625. The multiple regression result showed that the variables firewood collection and tree logging were positive while bushfire and farm erosion were negative and significant at 1%, 5% and 10% probability level. The activities of deforestation should be discouraged through stringent environmental laws for sustainable agricultural production.

This paper explores how better integration and innovation of various institutions contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals. It emphasized the way networking among institutions facilitate and foster the implementation of sustainable development goals. To do so, ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in Tiyo district, East Arsi Zone of Oromia Region, South Eastern Ethiopia. The data was gathered from farmers using observation, interview schedule, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The gathered data was qualitatively narrated. Results revealed that various institutions available in the study area were closely interlinked and working for sustainable agricultural development. These institutions deliver various services to farmers to promote sustainable agriculture. Besides, the institutions also provide innovative ideas and materials to farmers to improve their agricultural practices. As Venn diagram depicts, the existing various institutions integrated and overlapped in terms of activities to achieve sustainable development goals. Therefore, concerned bodies should work for the sustainable integration and innovation of institutions to achieve 2030 agenda of sustainable development goals. .

This study assessed the value Addition employed in processing of dairy products in Ilorin West Local Government Kwara state, Nigeria. Two-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 114 respondents from Wara, Ogundele, and Egbejila communities. Interview schedule was used to collect data from respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse data. The study shows that majority of the respondents were had no formal education (71.9%), average cattle owned by respondents was 12 cattle, motivated by family tradition (59.6%), all (100%) were aware of value addition in dairy products, Wara/Cheese (65.8%), Nunu (34.2%), May-Shanu (21.9%), Washigeri (20.2%), Fura De Nunu (18.4%), and Kindirimu (10.5%) were the valued added products produced among dairy processors in the study area. The major challenges faced by processors include lack of access to modern equipment (mean= 2.33), poor asses to capital (mean=2.07), lack of storage facilities (mean=1.58) and lack of knowledge (mean=1.43) on value addition. It can be concluded that employed several value addition initiatives to product different kinds of dairy products. Government should provide adequate modern equipment which will enhance easy production on of dairy products to improve the processors standard of living.

e-Agriculture is being the utmost desire for the sustainable development world over. The research was designed to assess extension workers’ attitude towards e-Agriculture in general. The methodology of this study is an integration of quantitative and qualitative methods based on primary data collection. The study was conducted in two upazilas (sub-districts) of Mymensingh district, namely Mymensingh Sadar and Fulbaria. Data were collected from 78 Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAOs) out of total population of 78 following whole population sampling . The empirical data for the study were collected by using distributed questionnaire during weekly conference day at their respective sub-district headquarters. Extreme majorities (94.9 percent) of the extension workers were found to have moderately favourable attitude and 3.8 percent had highly favourable attitude towards e-Agriculture. On the other hand, only 1.3 percent of the SAAOs had slightly favourable attitude towards e-Agriculture. The findings also revealed that, annual income, knowledge on e-Agriculture, access to ICT facilities and use of media associate with e-Agriculture of the SAAOs had positive and significant relationships with their attitude while age and service tenure of the SAAOs were found to have significant negative relationships with their attitude towards e-Agriculture. However, level of education, family size, information sources regarding e-Agriculture, training received on e-Agriculture and job satisfaction of the SAAOs did not show any significant relationship with their attitude towards e-Agriculture.

The study assessed the profitability of catfish marketing in Ondo State, Nigeria. Structured interviews were used to collect information from a total of 50 marketers in each selected town across four local governments using a multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, Gini coefficient, and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The profitability analysis showed that catfish marketing is profitable with an income of N2,998 ($8.3) for every marketing operation. The Gini Coefficient value of 0.74 showed a high level of inequality in income distribution among the catfish marketers and also a high concentration of catfish marketers in the study area. The regression analysis showed that the total kilogram of catfish sold, the price per kilogram of catfish, experience in years, transportation cost of catfish, and age in years are determinants of income of catfish marketers and accounted for 91.2% variation in income of the catfish marketers. The problems militating against catfish marketing in the study area include; high rate of spoilage and high cost of transportation in the study area. The study recommended among others that the government should try as much as possible to organize seminars, workshops, and necessary trainings for catfish marketers on how they can reduce their losses so as to have a required and sustainable income.