Factors influencing income generating potentials amongst cashew farmers in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

The study identified the income generating potentials of cashew fruits and attitude of farmers towards adding value to cashew in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was designed to elicit information on selected personal characteristics, level of income generated from cashew fruits, sources of information, farming activities and attitude towards processing of cashew fruits for income generation in the study area. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty farmers from a list of six hundred farmers in the study area. A significant relationship exists between the level of income generated from cashew fruits and education (X2 =9.700; P=0.05). In conclusion, farmers generate income from raw fruits only and have negative disposition towards adding value to cashew fruits for income generation. It is therefore recommended that cashew fruit farmers be educated on processing potentials of cashew fruits to enhance their income and improve their standard of living in the study area. Keywords: Income; Cashew; Potentials; Farmers; NigeriaMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 35-4

Access to the internet for knowledge dissemination: agricultural researchers’ experience in south-western Nigeria

Access to agricultural information is a prerequisite for agricultural development. However, information on how agricultural scientists make use of the Internet to access agricultural information is limited. This study therefore investigated access to the Internet for knowledge dissemination by agricultural researchers in south-western Nigeria. Four out of eight research institutes were randomly selected and 84 agricultural researchers were sampled for the study. Results reveal that respondents were married (88.0%), and possessed a Masters degree (79.5%). Mean age and years of work experience were 37.9 ± 5.7 and 5.5 ± 4.9 respectively. About 52 percent of the respondents indicated a low (1-4.5) access to Internet service and mean access was 4.4 ± 1.2.The most frequently used Internet tools were e-mails (100.0%), websites (100.0%) and search engines (95.2%). There was low level of Internet use for knowledge dissemination by 62.7% of the respondents. Internet use for knowledge dissemination was significantly related to Internet access (r=0.428, p<0.05). The level of Internet use for knowledge dissemination for agricultural development was low. Hence, increased access to the Internet would improve its utilisation for agricultural knowledge dissemination and development.Key words: Internet access, knowledge dissemination, agricultural information, agricultural researcher

Social Capital and Banana/Plantain Production for Income Generation in Osun State: Rural Dwellers Experience

This study examined the contributions of social capital to banana/plantain production in Irewole local Government Area, Osun State. The study also identified different social groups that respondents belong to. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the sample for the study. Three rural based wards were purposively selected while two villages from each ward were purposively selected. Making a total of 110 respondents selected.. Descriptive statistics such as pie and bar charts were used to summarize the data while inferential statistical tools such as chi-square and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. 36.0% of respondents fell between the age group of 60-69 years. Banana/plantain producers were male dominated (94.0%). 97.0% of the respondents belong to religious groups while 6.0 % belong to non-governmental organization (NGO). Chi-square analysis showed that gender, marital status, age, religion, size of household, farm size and year of experience(÷2 = 83.782, 106.036, 103.0, 52.509, 64.909, 134.200, 159.208; P < 0.05) were all statistically significant to contributions of social capital respectively. It is concluded that social capital contributed immensely to banana/plantain production among rural dwellers. Therefore, the use of social capital should be encouraged to complement the scarce financial capital, for enhanced food production. Keywords: Social Capital, Banana/Plantain Production, Income generation, Rural dwellers

Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change by Food Crop Farmers in Oke-Ogun Area of South Western Nigeria

The study examined the adaptation strategies to climate change in Oke Ogun Area of South Western Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select two of the ten local government areas in the area, two wards in each LGA,6 communities in each ward, from which a total of 160 out of 800 food crop farmers were randomly sampled. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using frequency counts and percentages. Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC) and chi-square were used to determine the relationship between variables. Majority of the respondents were males (77.5%), having low level of education (68.7%). Also, majority were aged 41 to 60 years, with farming experience ranging from 11 to 50 years (59.3%). Majority (90% and 58.8%) of respondents had access to credit facilities and extension contacts respectively. Majority (60%) of the respondents had an unfavourable perception of climate change effects. Ninety nine percent of the respondents practised multiple cropping under dry land and crop rotation, while 10.6% adopted agricultural insurance as parts of their adaptation strategies to climate change. Crop rotation (mean = 2.77). Invasion of cattle and herdsmen (mean = 2.50) inadequate supply of agricultural inputs (mean = 2.41) and lack of access to credit facilities (mean = 2.33) were the important constraints to farmers adaptation strategies. Inputs supply to the local farmers should also come with government subsidy. This will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of the farmers, as regards inadequate supply and delivery of agricultural inputs. Key words: Adaptation, Strategies, Climate, Change, Food, Crop, Farmers, south-wester