UnizikSpace Collection: Scholarly Works

Profitability of organically produced fluted pumpkin among small holder farmers in Anambra State.

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Profitability of organically produced fluted pumpkin among small holder farmers in Anambra State. Authors: Obiesie, Christian Ikenna; Komolafe, Oluwaseun Joseph; Meludu, Nkiru Theresa Abstract: Organic agriculture (OA) is rarely practiced, despite its numerous advantages to human and environment. Evidence of profitability has been spotted as potential instrument for adoption. Although few studies have shown (OA) to be profitable, evidence of its profitability indices that will increase adoption is scarce. Thus, the profitability oforganically produced fluted pumpkin in Anambra State was examined. Multistage sampling technique was used. Ogbaru, Anambra west, Ihiala, Awka South, Idemili North and Anaocha Local Government Areas (LGAs) were purposively selected due to high dominance of fluted pumpkin organic farmers. Three villages were then randomly selected from each LGA. Snowball sampling was then used to select ten (10) organic pumpkin farmers, since the list of these farmers were not available. Total of thirty (30) farmers were sampled per LGA, in all, one hundred and eighty (180) were sampled.Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on farmers’ characteristics, farm enterprises and farmers’ challenges.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin (gm), budgetary analysis and 5-point likert scale.Majority of the farmers were female (84.4%) with an average age of 51years and were mostly married (91.1%). About (41.1%) had primary education, majority (85%) belong to cooperative society and only (78.3%) had contact with extension agent. The average household size was 6 persons and the average farm size is 0.52ha. The revenue from organic fluted pumpkin was N141902.00, the total variable cost and fixed cost were N55436.92 and N11815.23 respectively. The gross margin was N86465.09, while the net return was N74649.86. The profitability index and return on investment were 2.56 and 1.11 respectively. Inadequate finance, high cost of seeds, inadequate information and high cost of manure were some of the challenges of farms. Active participation in cooperatives is recommended to reduce the challenges of farmers and increase profitability. Description: Scholarly works

Evaluation of the Factors Affecting Technology Adoption Among Cassava Farmers in Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Evaluation of the Factors Affecting Technology Adoption Among Cassava Farmers in Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria Authors: Onyemekonwu, Raymond Chukwuka; Ehiwario, Friday Akasiri; Komolafe, Oluwaseun Joseph; Anarah, Samual Emeka Abstract: The factors affecting the technology adoption among cassava farmers in Ika North Local government Delta, State was examined. Specifically, the farmer’s socio-economic characteristics, their sources of information on cassava production, the constraints to the adoption of innovations and the constraints to cassava production were examined. A two stage sampling procedure was used in the selection of 120 farmers while questionnaire and interview schedule was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and regression were used in data analysis. The farmers were matured (mean age=40 years), mostly male (62.5%), married (70.8%), educated (90.0%) with a mean household size 8 members and cultivated a mean of 1.3 hectares with a farming experience of 12 years. The farmers belonged to farmer’s associations (33.3%) and made an annual income of ₦215,404.17. The leading technologies adopted by the farmers were planting depth of 10-15cm (89.2%), intercropping with melon (88.4%), early planting between April-June (85.0%) and first weeding (manual weeding) (84.1%) The major serious constraints to the adoption of innovation among the farmers were attributes of the innovation (mean=3.68), poor extension contact (mean=3.62) while the leading serious constraints to cassava production were price fluctuation (mean=3.68) and poor extension contact (mean=3.62). Education (r=1.115; P<0.05), cooperative membership (r=1.116;p<0.05), income (r=1.211; p<0.05) and extension contact (r=1.220; P<0.05) had significant relationship with the adoption of innovation. It concluded that the adoption of innovation among the cassava farmers is constrained by several factors that are capable of affecting cassava production. Therefore, extension service providers should enhance their contact with the farmers Description: Scholarly works

Economic analysis of yellow passion fruit production in southeastern Nigeria under different soil fertility management

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Economic analysis of yellow passion fruit production in southeastern Nigeria under different soil fertility management Authors: Ndukwe, Okorie Okoro; Okeke, Chinyere Charity; Baiyeri, Paul Kayode Abstract: Three experiments were conducted from 2014 to 2018 to examine the economics of yellow passion fruit production under different soil fertility management. In 2014, two yellow passion fruit genotypes, that is Conventional and KPF 4, were grown in the field and pot simultaneously under varying rates of poultry manure (PM), including 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 t/ha. In 2016, the response of the two genotypes to a single and combined application of organic and inorganic fertilisers was evaluated under field conditions, namely no fertiliser application, 10, 20 t/ha PM, 400 kg/ha NPK 15:15:15, 5 t/ha PM + 200 kg/ha NPK, and 10 t/ha PM + 200 kg/ha NPK. The profitability indicators were gross revenue, net revenue, returns per naira invested and the profitability index. In 2014, total variable cost increased significantly (P < 0.05) with an increase in PM rates in both the field and pot studies. The highest net returns and returns per naira invested were obtained with the application of 20 t/ha PM. The combined application of 10 t/ha PM + 200 kg/ha NPK recorded the highest gross return, net return and return per naira invested in the 2016 production cycle. Growing the vines without fertiliser application gave significantly least net returns without profit in both production cycles and methods. Consequently, applying 20 t/ha PM was adjudged the most profitable for yellow passion fruit production in the study area, and hence is recommended particularly when organic farming is intended. However, if growers must use inorganic fertiliser, a combined application of 10 t/ha PM + 200 kg/ha NPK will be most profitable Description: Scholarly work

TRAINING STATUS OF EXTENSIONAGENTSONCLIMATECHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FORCROPANDLIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN SOUTH-EASTERNNIGERIA

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: TRAINING STATUS OF EXTENSIONAGENTSONCLIMATECHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FORCROPANDLIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN SOUTH-EASTERNNIGERIA Authors: Agomuo, C.I.; Akubuilo, C.J.C.; Ibeagwa, B.O. Abstract: The study investigated the training status of extension agents in climate change adaptation practices for crop production and livestock production in some selected states in South-eastern Nigeria. Specifically the study set out to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the extension agents; ascertain the trainings given to extension agents on crop and livestock climate change adaptation; and ascertain the training status of extension agents on climate change adaptation extension agents and Subject Matter Specialists were selected by proportionate and random sampling techniques for the study. Data were collected from the respondents by means of Focal Group Discussion and structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and climate change adaptation training status index. Results showed that the extension agents had an average age of 43 years were mostly female, and majority had acquired post-secondary education. Also the extension agents had been trained in climate change adaptation strategies for crop production as well as climate change adaptation strategies for animal production. The agents were on the average fairly well trained in climate change adaptation strategies. The study recommends that more male extension agents should be encouraged to get involved in the training and dissemination of climate change adaptation practices to farmers. This is especially so seeing that male may be more endowed with the ability to access even remote areas than females. Also, there is need for the Agricultural Development Programme(ADP) to adequately train all field extension agents on climate change adaptation measures for crop and livestock production, as they play very key role in solving farmers’ problems especially as they relate to climate change as was revealed by the findings that there were training needs of field extension agents in climate change adaptation. Description: Scholarly work