International Journal of Agricultural Science Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems
Volume:5 Issue: 3, Sep 2015

This study examined information flow on minisett technology among yam farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. A sample size of 180 respondents was involved in the study. Data were obtained from respondents of the study through the use of a validated interview schedule. Percentage, frequency count and mean scores were used to summarize data, while line diagrams were used to develop maps of information flows. Results of the study reveal that the chain type of information flow was associated with the Delta North agricultural Zone, while Delta Central and Delta South Agricultural Zones were associated with community based and multiple contact types of information flows respectively. Federal and State government establishments, youth clubs, mass media, socio- cultural groups, farmers’ cooperatives, religious bodies, community development committees and non-governmental organizations were useful in driving information flows on yam minisett technology. The study also revealed that only few farmers used agricultural extension officers as source of information in Delta State. The major sources of information on yam minisett technology include radio (M=2.51); relatives (M=1.83); neighbours (M=1.61); contact and fellow farmers (M=1.47) and television (M=1.26). Based on these findings, The study recommends that multi-media approach should be adopted in the dissemination of information on yam based technologies. Also, farm radio and television broadcasts should be extensively used to air agricultural information to farmers on regular basis.

The purpose of this study was to assess organizational and personnel structure in Iranian Agriculture Extension System (IAES). The research instrument was a structural questionnaire including close-ended questions which its validity and reliability was confirmed by using expert panel and Cranach’s alpha test, respectively. The statistical population of this research included all public extension managers who are responsible for doing extension activities in Iran’s townships and provinces (N=365). According to Krejcie and Morgan’s table, a number of 198 extension managers of townships selected as statistical sample in a stratified sampling method based on classification of provinces by the Jihad-e-Agriculture ministry. Also, for gathering data among extension mangers of provinces was used census method. Finally, 222 public extension mangers in township and province levels participated in this research (n=222). Overall, extension mangers stated that organizational and personnel structure in IAES was not suitable. The other results also indicated there was the significantly positive relationship between selected demographic characteristics of extension managers with their viewpoint about organizational and personnel structure in IAES. These results highlight the need for the reform of organizational and personnel structure in IAES.

The challenges of agroforestry systems’ adoption by farmers in the North central zone of Nigeria, was carried out to address the following objectives; find out the perception of farmers on agroforestry technologies, identify the adoption level and ascertain why farmers discontinue agroforestry adoption.. Data were collected from 722 agroforestry farmers out of 782 sets of questionnaire that were distributed. Frequency and percentages were used to describe socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents. Meanscore and sigma score were used to anlayse perception of farmers, adoption levels and comparison between vegetal cover and selected climatic variables. More that 75 percent of the respondents had little or no formal education. More than sixty percent of the respondents had farm size between 1.1 to 3 hectares. Adoption of the technology increased between 2008 and 2010 but decreased as it approached 2013. Inadequate knowledge of agroforestry mean score (3.71) and lack of market (meanscore, (3.55) made many farmers to discontinue adoption. The paper stressed the establishment of Small-scale industries that will utilize the fruits from the trees planted as raw materials to attract better market, scale up adoption of more fruit trees among farmers.

This study investigated utilization of electronic learning facilities among Agricultural students in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. One hundred and twenty (120) students undergoing training in different agricultural courses in the university were randomly selected. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, mean, percentages and inferential statistics (Probit regression analysis). The result reveals that majority (84.17%) of the respondents were competent in the use of internets, had low access ( = 1.89) to these electronic learning facilities and utilized them in on-line registration of courses ( =3.70), learning/ studying ( = 4.30), assignments ( = 3.30), seminar presentation ( =4.70), project writing and sending messages ( = 4.20) and receiving messages ( = 4.10). The probit estimates of the determinants of utilization of electronic leaning facilities among agricultural students of the university showed that coefficients of study habit, competency in computer application, aptitude and education were positive and significant at different levels of probability, while age was negative. Problems of poor network, power failure and preference of usage hindered the use of these electronic learning facilities by students of the university. The study therefore recommended adequate provision of electronic learning facilities in the university, training and cost reduction in the use of these facilities among students of the university.

The purpose of this research was analyzing attitude of rural cooperatives managers in Khouzestan province toward electronic commerce, Iran. The research method was correlative descriptive. The population of this study included rural cooperatives managers in Khuzestan province. The total number of members was 101 people. Due to the limited population, census method was used. Questionnaire reliability was estimated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha and it was appropriate for this study. There was between 0.771 to 0.842. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). To reach the research objectives, appropriate statistical procedures for description were used. Data analysis was carried out through data description and data inferential analysis. The results of research showed the correlation between level of education, creativity, technical requirements, social requirements, educational requirements, managerial requirements, economical requirements, political requirements, age and attitude toward electronic commerce in rural cooperatives was significant. Also the result of regression analysis by stepwise method indicated level of education, creativity, attitude to technical requirements, social requirements, educational requirements, managerial requirements, economical requirements, political requirements and age may well explain for 61.9% changes (R2 = 0.619) in attitude of managers.

The purpose of this research was analyzing factors affecting non-participation of stakeholders in rangeland management projects. The research method was descriptive-correlative design in ranches of Piranshahr rangelands in western Azerbaijan province, Iran. All ranches that studied (Zioke Yurd, Ziuke Mirgah Chaku, Khargedashan Yurd and Gardeh Bon), are utilized in common use manner. Simple random sampling was used as sampling method. The sample size was determined by using Krejcie and Morgan table. The 157 stakeholders were determined. Questionnaire served as research tool and was completed through direct interviews with stakeholders. The findings showed significant correlation between age and non-participation of stakeholders. Also prioritization of non-participation of stakeholders in range management plans indicate that low literacy (education level) and lack of sufficient knowledge about the range management project, lack of programs and restoration of projects fitness to regional conditions and small area were the most important social, managerial, technical and economic factors affect the non-participation of stakeholders in the range management projects.

This study analyzed the determinants of the productivity of smallholder arable crop farmers with a particular focus on land fragmentation using the Simpson Index as measures of land fragmentation in Imo state of Nigeria. Data collected by using structured questionnaire and interview schedules were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics; Simpson index and regression analysis. Results showed that a greater percentage of the respondents were females, while the average age of the respondents was 52 years. About 90% of the respondents had formal education.  The average farm size cultivated by the respondents was about 1 ha. Farming was the primary occupation of majority (73.33%) of the respondents. About 63.33% of the respondents were not visited by extension agents during the last cropping season. The Simpson index was 71.91%, indicating high degree of land fragmentation. The significant factors influencing the productivity of the farm were fragmentation, fertilizer, labour, and planting materials. Land reform policies and programmes that would give farmers access to more contiguous land holdings for increased agricultural production was recommended.

There are no known studies that have been conducted focusing on the congruency or discrepancy of pre service agricultural education programmes in relation to secondary school agriculture teaching in Zimbabwe. The purpose of this study was therefore to make a qualitative investigation on the contribution of pre service agricultural education training programmes to the teaching of high school Agriculture. A participatory investigation approach was used to gather data, where among other relevant stakeholders, school authorities, agricultural teachers and training institutions staff were consulted on the congruency or discrepancies between pre - service agricultural education programmes and expected competencies of a qualified agricultural teacher. Teachers displayed requisite content and pedagogical competencies in the teaching of agriculture at secondary school level gained from their pre-service agricultural education. The study established the need for continuous in-service and staff exchange course programmes for agricultural teachers in order to keep them abreast with the dynamism and technological innovations in agricultural education sector.