DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND EXTENSION SERVICES

Youths have the potential to overcome some of the major constraints to expanding fish farming in developing countries such as pond construction, disease management, hatchery management, genetic improvement, harvesting and processing because they are often more open to new ideas than adult farmers. In Nigeria, fish farming is still carried out using physical strength, which declines with age. However, empirical evidence on influence of youth involvement in fish farming on their standard of living is scarce. Therefore, involvement in fish farming and the standard of living of youths in Ughelli north local government, delta state, Nigeria were investigated. The result from the analyses shows that most of the fish farmers were male. The mean age of the farmers was 32 years. Majority(75%) of the respondent were married, majority(81.25%) of the respondent were members of association. Majority( 97.5%) of the respondent family size was 5 and below The mean monthly income from other sources is ₦75,195. Majority(52.5%) of the respondent has experience of between 5-9 years, with a mean years of experience of 8 years. Majority (68.75%) has 1-5 fish ponds with a mean number of fish pond of 6. The majority(46.3%) of the respondent live in a room and palour self-contain apartment. 23.8% owns the house they live in, while majority(76.2%) rented. Majority owns basic household facilities such as television, telephone, water closet, gas cooker and generator.

local livelihoods and national economic development. However, the availability of high-quality seedlings remains a crucial factor influencing the success of oil palm plantations. This study investigates the viability of oil palm seedling production in Oredo, Edo State, Nigeria. Focusing on the farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, cost and returns and production constraints. A two-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 100 producers from five purposively chosen communities. Data were collected
using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics (means, percentages, frequency counts), budgetary model and Likert scale analysis to determine constraints faced by farmers. Results indicated that most oil palm seedling growers in the area are men (59%), while 41% were females. They're fairly well-educated, with most (54%) having finished secondary school and many (33%) having gone to college. They're mostly middle-aged (average age 51). They usually grow a few thousand seedlings (500-5,500). O

Farmers (cassava farmers inclusive) are reported to be in dire need of credit to purchase farming inputs and to pay for labour, amongst others. They are equally grappling with unfavourable loan terms. This study was therefore designed to assess the determinants of cassava farmers’ access to credit in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 136 cassava farmers from five out of the 12 communities in the LGA. Data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers, the distribution of credit access by farmers’ characteristics, and the factors influencing farmers’ access to credit. The primary data for the study were analysed using descriptive statistics and Probit regression. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that majority of the farmers (68%) were males and 65% were members of cooperatives. Majority (73%) of the farmers had no access to credit, 51% of the farmers who had access to credit were females, while 89% of them who had access to credit were cooperative members. The results of the Probit regression shows that cooperative membership, sources of labour (family labour and family/hired labour), cassava varieties and fertilizer-use significantly influenced the accessibility of credits to farmers. Access to credit by cassava farmers in the study area could be significantly improved upon if identified gaps in these variables are addressed

Violent confrontations between farmers and herders have become a defining feature confronting peace and stability in many parts of Nigeria. This study assessed the effect of farmers and herdsmen conflicts on the livelihood activities of arable crop farmers in Benue State. Specifically, it describes the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents in the study area, identified the livelihood activities involvement of respondents, identified the causes of farmers-herdsmen
conflicts, examined the key effect of the conflict on the respondents, ascertained perceived vulnerability factors to the conflict, and identified the coping strategies used by the respondents. The study was carried out in Benue State, Nigeria the selected sampled Local Government Areas are Oju, Guma, and Vandiekya with a sample size of 231 at a response rate of 99.3% (229). A
structured questionnaire administered through an interview schedule was used to collect data for this study. Data collected were analysed with descriptive statistics like frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation. T-statistics in Binary Logistic Regression and F-statistics in Analysis of Variance and posthoc range test were used to make inferences. Results show a preponderance of male 62% over female 38% with mean age 38 years, the respondents had a mean farm size of 4 hectares, a mean household size of 4 persons and 19 years as mean farming experience. The study also showed that the farmers had a high level of livelihood involvement in major arable crop production with yam having the highest with �ത =3.68. The destruction of crops during the conflict was identified as the major cause of conflict with �ത =4.77 while crop was destroyed during the conflict was identified as one of the major key effects of the conflict with �ത =4.72. The ineffectiveness of security structure ( �ത =4.24) was identified as the major vulnerability factors to the conflicts. The study also revealed that children were withdrawn from school ( �ത =4.26) and children are now involved in child labour ( �ത =4.09) were the major ways
respondents coped with the conflict. Variables on determinant of conflict among farmers and herdsmen conflict such as sex (Wald = 18.06), age (Wald = -10.36), education (Wald = 8.12), religion (Wald = 27.14), type of farming (Wald = 17.06), farm size (Wald = 14.67) were significant at 0.01 level while primary occupation (wald=3.09) was significant at 0.05 level. Results further showed that a significant difference existed in the effect of conflict in the three local government Area as Oju experienced more than the other two Local Government Areas with the F-test values of 28.58 df (2) 226 at 0.01 significant level Also, armers in Guma were more vulnerable to farmers-herdsmen conflicts than those in the other local government Area
with the F-test value of 4.176 df (2) 226 at the 0.05 significant level. It was concluded that the conflict had a negative effect on the livelihood activities as the production income of the farmers in the affected Local Government Areas were greatly ecreased by over 50%

Youth participation is crucial to Community development. The success of every project depends however on their active participation in designing, implementing and sustaining the projects that affect their condition of living, has not been ascertained. The study was conducted to access youth’s participation in community development projects in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives includes ;to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of youth, identify the types of project that youth engage in, ascertain the levels of youth participation, identify the constraints that youth face in participating in community development project and identify the factors that influence youth to participate in community development project. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 130 youths for the study. Data were collected through interview schedule using structured questionnaire however,124 copies were valid. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (mean, frequency counts, percentages and standard deviation) and inferential statistics such as spearman’s correlation coefficient and simple linear regression. Results from the study showed that males and female youths participate in community development projects in the study area Majority (97.6%) of the youths in the study area have obtained various level of formal education from secondary education to postgraduate education. Also 33.9% of respondents agreed that their Parents and family influenced their participation in the implementation of community development projects. About 52.4% and 50% of youths participated in Agricultural activities and sport development activities respectively. Respondents were highly involved in skill acquisition (mean = 2.23), education (mean = 2.22) and Agriculture (mean = 2.01). Results revealed that youths were
highly involved in disbursement of funds (mean = 3.09), site selection (mean =3.33) and construction work (mean 3.19). Majority of the youths were highly involved in reporting project performance (mean = 3.32), report writing (mean 3.19), quality assessment (mean = 3.10) and evaluation committee to understand plans of the projects (mean = 3.03). The major constraints to youth participation in community development projects were inadequate awareness on community development projects (mean = 4.04), poor programme planning (mean = 4.01). There is a significant correlation between Age (r = 0.186; p = 0.039), level of education (r= 0.432; p = -0.017) and years residing in community (r=0.224; p =0.014) and youth level of participation in community development projects. Also, there was a significant correlation (r = 0,202; p = 0.024) between friends
influence to participate in the implementation of community development projects and level of participation in community development projects.It was concluded that Youths were actively involved in various community development projects. The study recommended that development agencies should introduce project that will impact youths directly such as acquisition and economic empowerment.

Youth participation is crucial to Community development. The success of every
project depends however on their active participation in designing, implementing
and sustaining the projects that affect their condition of living, has not been
ascertained. The study was conducted to access youth’s participation in
community development projects in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives includes ;to describe the socioeconomic
characteristics of youth, identify the types of project that youth engage in, ascertain the levels of youth participation, identify the constraints that youth face
in participating in community development project and identify the factors that
influence youth to participate in community development project. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 130 youths for the study. Data
were collected through interview schedule using structured questionnaire
however,124 copies were valid. Data collected were analysed using descriptive
statistics (mean, frequency counts, percentages and standard deviation) and
inferential statistics such as spearman’s correlation coefficient and simple linear
regression. Results from the study showed that males and female youths participate in
community development projects in the study area Majority (97.6%) of the youths
in the study area have obtained various level of formal education from secondary
education to postgraduate education. Also 33.9% of respondents agreed that their
Parents and family influenced their participation in the implementation of
community development projects. About 52.4% and 50% of youths participated
in Agricultural activities and sport development activities respectively. Respondents were highly involved in skill acquisition (mean = 2.23), education
(mean = 2.22) and Agriculture (mean = 2.01). Results revealed that youths were
highly involved in disbursement of funds (mean = 3.09), site selection (mean =3.33) and construction work (mean 3.19). Majority of the youths were highly
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involved in reporting project performance (mean = 3.32), report writing (mean
3.19), quality assessment (mean = 3.10) and evaluation committee to understand
plans of the projects (mean = 3.03). The major constraints to youth participation
in community development projects were inadequate awareness on community
development projects (mean = 4.04), poor programme planning (mean = 4.01). There is a significant correlation between Age (r = 0.186; p = 0.039), level of
education (r= 0.432; p = -0.017) and years residing in community (r=0.224; p =
0.014) and youth level of participation in community development projects. Also, there was a significant correlation (r = 0,202; p = 0.024) between friends
influence to participate in the implementation of community development projects
and level of participation in community development projects.It was concluded
that Youths were actively involved in various community development projects. The study recommended that development agencies should introduce project that
will impact youths directly such as acquisition and economic empowerment.

This study examined the Resource Use Efficiency Among Small Scale Maize Farmers in Ovia North East Local Government Area. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers, estimate the cost and returns of maize production, estimate resource use efficiency of maize farmers and identify the constraints to increased
production in the study area. Multistage sampling techniques were used to select 100 respondents and they were interviewed using a well structured and designed questionnaire.
Data analysis was carried out with the use of descriptive statistics like frequency count, mean and percentage. Cobb Douglas stochastic frontier approach and marginal value product approach were used also.
The findings revealed that the study area had both active male(54%) and female(46%) farmers, majority also were married(68%), experienced and smallholder farmers with mostly secondary school level of education(68%). Most of the respondents fell within a household size of 6-9. From the findings also, resources like farm size(1.24), labour (2.18)and quantity of herbicides(1.09) were found to be underutilized which indicated that they should be reduced to
optimum level for output increase and revenue respectively. There is need for adjustment in resource use in order to improve farm profit for maize farmers in the study area.
Based on the findings, the study concluded that maize production is a profitable enterprise with a net profit of N932,775.50 and has potentials of alleviating poverty, provision of employment and revenue for the residents and farmers of the study area. It was recommended that government and non governmental agencies should provide extension and supportive
services, could be granting of funds to the maize farmers to aid in their production of attaining more profit and expanding their establishment.

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the information needs of cocoa farmers in Edo and Ondo states. Specifically, the study was conducted to investgate the information needs assessment of cocoa farmers; ascertain the farmers’ preference for cocoa information sources; examine cocoa farmers information needs and farmers search behavior and examine cocoa
farmers’ constraints to information accessibility in the study area. Multistage random sampling procedure was used to select 432 respondents while a structured interview schedule was used to solicit information from the respondents.
The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Binary logit regression, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and 2x2 matrix used to establish the priorities mean score). The result revealed that the mean age of cocoa farmers was 52 years while majorities (70.4%) of the farmers were male. Majorities (35.4%) of the farmers had formal
education, higher membership of a group (93.5%) and were married (80.3%). Majority (74.3%) of the cocoa farmers’ cultivated farm lands of less than 10 hectares with a mean farming experience of 22 years. This study revealed that the most prominent sources of information wasinput dealers/suppliers (( =2.86±0.40), while Television (
=2.80±0.50) and face to face advice by other farmers ( =2.76±0.56), extension posters=2.87±0.45) were the most preferred among the institutional bodies, mass media electronics, print media and traditional sources of information respectively. The mean score for weed control (control ( =3.14) and pest and disease =3.14) which were ranked 2nd in cocoa production information needs were ranked 1st and 4th in level of information search with the mean values of ( =2.24) and ( =2.03)respectively. Hence, the farmers need training in their information search behaviour.
From the Matrix presentation, it was observed that cocoa production information with the discrepancies scores of farm layout with a weighted mean score of 5.48, farm cultivation system with a weighted mean score of 4.82 and seed selection and planting materials which had a weighted mean score of 4.67 were the critical areas where cocoa farmers need training or
education in cocoa production information needs. Binary Logistic Regression indicated that the Nagelkerke R square value of 0.15 and 0.29 for Edo and Ondo States respectively indicated that the determinants would collectively explain about 15.0% and 29.5% variation in cocoa production information needs of farmers, respectively in the study area. Also the
binary logistic regression test indicated that extension agents (t= 1.61; p≤0.01); input dealers/suppliers (t=2.89;p≤0.01); internet (t=- 1.65 p≤0.01), cable network (t= 2.56; p≤ 0.01); family members (t= 0.92;
p≤0.05) and face to face contact with other farmers (t =0.67; p≤0.01) were the most significant preferred sources of information on farmers production infomtion needs. The finding ofPearson’s Product Moment Correlation indicated that positive and significant correlation exists between production information needs (r=0.271; p≤0.01) and postharvest information needs
(r=0.303; p≤0.01) and farmers’ search behaviour for information

In Nigeria, agricultural practices remain largely unattractive to people, especially
the youths for various reasons which include; low returns on time and input
investments, limited access to land, low investments in infrastructure necessary for
efficient value chain. Hence, the need to boost agricultural productivity has
become a major topic of discourse among development institutions. This study
accessed the involvement of youths in soilless farming in Ogun State, Nigeria. The
specific objectives are to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of youths
involved in soilless farming, to examine the factors that influence youths’
involvement in soilless farming, to ascertain the youths’ attitude towards soilless
agriculture technology, to examine the benefits of soilless farming to the youths
involved, investigate the challenges hindering the full engagement of youths in
soilless farming. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select a total of 102 respondents for
the study and primary data was collected with the use of questionnaire and results
were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The mean age of respondents was the ages of the respondents showed that the
majority of the respondents were between the ages of 23 – 27 years, 59% were
males, 41% were females. 84% were single, while 15% were married. Also, 72% had tertiary education. 62% of the respondents earned #50,000 naira or
less per month, while 27% of the respondents earned between #50,000 to
#100,000 naira. Furthermore, 93% of the respondents noted that they would
recommend soilless farming to other young people. Finance 50% and
environmental factors 30.4% were major factors hindering respondents full
engagement. In addition, the result revealed that respondents’ attitudes towards soilless farming
have a positive relationship towards the socioeconomic characteristics (age
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(r=0.882), sex (r=0.820), marital status (r=0.560), education (r=0.790), course
studied (r=0.849), farm name (r=0.783), position at work (r=0.869), duration of
involvement (r=0.854) and income (r=0.849)). In conclusion, youth involvement in soilless agriculture is low and can be
improved upon through trainings, publicity and government investment in public
orientation and the benefits of practicing soilless farming.

The study examined the effectiveness of mass media in disseminating information to fish farmers in Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. describe the socio-economic characteristic of fish farmers in the study area; examine the different mass media and their accessibility in the study area; identify the major source of agricultural information to fish farmers in the study area; analyze the effectiveness of mass media in the dissemination of agricultural information in the study   and identify the constraints the respondents face sourcing for agricultural information in the study area.
A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to collect data from 100 respondents with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count and means were used to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents while multiple regression and chi-square was used to determine the hypotheses of the study.
Results show that majority (60% ) of the respondents involved in fish farming are males  (67.5%) of the respondents were aged between 35-50 years with (55%) being married and 88.7% having formal education. Results also showed that majority of fish farmers have access to television (60%), telephone/internet (65%), Newspaper/Bulletin (55%) and Radio (55%). Findings also reveal that the major sources of information was Radio (90%), internet (80%), Facebook (92%), WhatsApp (74%), neighbors (100%), ministry of agriculture (98%), extension agent (80%), newspaper (100%) etc. and the problem facing fish farmers in sourcing for information in Sapele LGA were illiteracy, low income level, lack of credit facilities inadequate information and erratic power supply. The study recommended that more programs on Agricultural development and farming techniques should be aired on radio and television, more of such information should also be available on newspapers and bulletins. More agricultural pages should be created on Facebook and finally, WhatsApp group page should also be created for fish farmer’s in Sapele LGA area in Delta state where they can easily get information.