International Journal of Agricultural Science Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems
Volume:8 Issue: 2, Jun 2018

This study examined the training needs of agricultural extension agents in Delta State, Nigeria. A sample of 102 respondents was drawn from extension agents in the States’ Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR) and the FADAMA Programme. Data were collected in February 2017 by using a structured and validated questionnaire. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean scores, percentage, frequency count and standard deviation were used to summarize data, while Spearman Rank Order correlation coefficient (rho) was used to determine the relationship between competence and training needs of extension agents. Results reveal that extension agents are competent in the following professional skills: teaching farmers, public speaking, determination of farmers’ needs and planning extension programmes. It was also found that extension agents need training in some professional skills which include: production of teaching aids, planning excursion and field trips, providing market information and simplifying agricultural research results. Constraints to training of agricultural extension agents identified by the study include: poor funding, high cost of training, poor training incentives and limited training opportunities. A strong relationship was found between extension agents’ competence and their training needs. This study therefore recommends that training opportunities should be created by relevant agencies to enable extension agents improve their competence and performance. Also, constraints to training identified in this study should be tackled to allow for sustainable training programmes.

Productivity of most common Iraqi rice cultivar was low compared to an average production among major rice-producing countries, this  may be due to inadequacy of knowledge and skills of rice farmers about rice cultivation practices. The study was conducted in Mahanawiyah district of AL-Qadisiya Province in Iraq, to assess knowledge level of rice farmers about some rice cultivation practices .The study was conducted with 125 rice farmers selected through random sampling. A structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. The findings revealed that half of respondents had medium knowledge level about rice cultivation practices. The respondents have a high level of knowledge in aspect of land preparation and medium level in aspects of marketing, harvesting and post harvesting, fertilization, seed and seedling, and water management. Significant correlation was investigated between respondent’s knowledge and educational attainment, years of experience in rice cultivation and annual revenue from rice cultivation. There is a significant difference between knowledge level of respondents depending on these characteristics. For increasing rice production and productivity, improved and scientific rice cultivation practices should be diffused and application by rice farmers.

This study is on the determinants of credit access by small scale farmers in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. The specific objectives are to; identify the major source of credit among the small scale farmers; estimate the determinants of farmers’ access to formal credit; compare the farm income of farmers who have access to formal credit and those who have not and identify constraints to farmers’ access to credit. A total of 120 respondents was selected through random sampling technique. Primary data obtained through questionnaire administration were analysed using descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression model, t-test and mean score. Findings of this study revealed that the major source of credit to finance agricultural production was the informal credit source-money lenders (76.7%). Estimates of the binary logit regression model revealed a significant chi-squared value at 1%. The marginal effect of membership of cooperative society, experience, farm size, extension contact and distance to credit source significantly determined the probability of small scale farmers’ access to credit at 5%. Expectedly, farmers who had access to formal credit recorded significant increase in farm income to those who had not. Constraints to farmers’ access to formal credit source include inadequate collateral security (mean score=2.9), bureaucracy (mean score=2.8), high interest rate (mean score=2.7). That of informal credit source included high interest rate (mean score=2.6) and low level of lending (mean score=2.5). The study recommended deliberate policy to ensure that rural farmers have access to adequate credit facilities for improved agricultural production.

Microcredit scheme is an important poverty alleviation method that facilitates the development of rural communities by creating and developing income-generating activities, especially for low-income women. The present study was aimed to examine the effectiveness of the microcredit fund scheme on the economic empowerment of rural women in Tehran Province, Iran. It was carried out by a survey methodology. The statistical population was composed of 461 women who were members of 15 rural microcredit funds in Tehran Province in 2014. The sample size was determined by Krejcie and Morgan table and the population was sampled by the proportionate simple random method. Finally, 210 questionnaires were collected. The results revealed significant differences in economic capability between member women with different educational levels. Also, rural women’s economic capability differed significantly in income, saving power, saving management, initiation of income-generating lasting occupations, financial independence, purchase power, possession of vocational skills to start and continue a production activity, and economic skills before and after membership in rural microcredit funds.

The study determined extent of youths’ involvement in agricultural programmes and projects in the south eastern Nigeria. The population of the study comprised all the youths, male and female between the ages of 18 to 40 years that were involved in one or more programmes/projects in south eastern Nigeria. A total sample of 180 respondents was selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Questionnaire was used for data collection while percentage and mean score were used to analyze the data. The result of the study showed that the mean household size was 5 persons and majority (95.6%) of the youths were literate and engaged in different occupations. Majority (76.2%) of the youths were aware of most of the agricultural programmes and projects initiated, but were fully involved in few of them. The key serious problems identified among others that militate against youths involvement included poor access to land and other farm inputs (M = 2.86), lack of involvement at planning and introduction stages (M = 2.88), politics (M = 2.90) and inadequate information about the existence of the programmes/projects (M = 2.92). The initiative to improve the opportunities for young people to take part in decent agricultural work to provide larger benefits was recommended.

The study assessed farmers’ perception of effectiveness of agricultural extension agents in Anambra State, Nigeria. The population of the study comprised all contact farmers and extension agents in Anambra State. Multi-stage, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 200 respondents comprising 160 farmers and 40 extension agents. Data for the study were collected through the use of interview schedule and questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, percentage and mean score were used in presenting and analyzing the data. The findings revealed that majority of the farmers were women, literate and the mean age was 54.27 years with an average farming experience of 18.98 years. Farmers’ number of contact with extension agents and level of education were found to make significant contribution to farmers’ perception of agricultural extension agents’ quality. The level of adoption of new technologies by farmer was generally high (5.58). Agricultural extension service in Anambra State was not effective, which implies that extension service in the State was poor and weak. The identified constraints that hinder the performance of agricultural extension agents included inadequate vehicles for transportation, poor office accommodation, poor remuneration, poor funding, high level of farmers’ illiteracy, and insufficient motivation of extension agents among others. The need for regular training of extension agents so as to develop more skills and technicalities in disseminating farm technologies to farmers was recommended.

The study was conducted in Assosa district of Benishangul-Gumuz regional state, western Ethiopia, to assess major farm enterprises, agricultural risks and demand for micro-insurance services. Two peasant associations namely, Selga-23 and Kushmengel were selected to represent settler and native farming communities, respectively. Using simple randomized techniques, 86 respondents were selected for the study. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Data were analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive, T-test, chi-square test and correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Rank index analysis was also done to order multiple variables using Microsoft excel. Results revealed that teff is the most important crop followed by finger millet for settler community whereas, maize the most widely grown crop in native community followed by teff. Cattle, goat and chicken are widely reared livestock species in the study areas. However, both crop and livestock production face natural adversities and climatic factors that is out of control of smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers tried coping with the risks primarily by selling some of their livestock resources and reducing home consumption. Thus, provision of micro-insurance for smallholder farmers in a coordinated way can be a better way out of this crisis. There is high demand for micro-insurance services in the study area and smallholder farmers showed strong willingness to pay to premiums. Thus, it was recommended that multi-peril crop insurance and indemnity based livestock insurance can be used in study areas based on the nature of agricultural risks.