S.O. Konkwo

This study assessed the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the role performance of agricultural extension workers in Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of extension workers in Edo state, Nigeria, ascertain effects of subsidy removal on the roles performed by extension workers, identify coping strategies for overcoming the fuel subsidy removal effects by extension workers in performing their roles and identify constraints to extensions role performance in the study area. A purposive selection of the entire population of extension workers from the three (3) agricultural zones in Edo State, Nigeria constituted the sample for this research. This gave a sample size of One hundred and four (104) respondents for the study. Collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The results showed that majority of the respondents were male (55.8%). The average age of the respondents was approximately 46 years. The predominant staff category was Extension agent (47.1%). Marital status showed that a significant majority were married (78.8%). Educationally, most workers held a BSc/ HND (66.3%) . Regarding training, most workers participated in in-service training (65.4%) with a majority attending 6-8 trainings (51.0%). It was observed in the study that annual income varied, with the majority earning between 500,000 and 1,000,000 Naira (53.8%). Household size predominantly ranged from 3-4 members (49.0%). Most respondents had 6 to 10 years of working experience (39.4%). Respondents’ grade level showed a concentration in the 6-8 range (47.1%). In terms to examine the effects of fuel subsidy removal when compared to before the removal, knowledge transfer was still majorly performed (�ത3.33), networking performance dropped significantly ( �ത 3.06), technical advising dropped ( �ത 3.13), communication dropped ( �ത 3.00), program development decreased to �ത 3.11), capacity building dropped to ( �ത 3.18) , problem solving performance decreased to ( �ത 3.24), community liaison performance dropped to (�ത 3.14), needs assessment dropped to (�ത 3.17), monitoring and evaluation dropped to ( �ത 3.03), advocacy dropped to ( �ത 3.07). The most commonly adopted coping strategies were telecommuting and virtual meetings (82.7%). The most severe constraints were inadequate institutional support (�ത 3.76). The study concluded the reinstatement of fuel subsidy, investing in sustainable energy solutions, developing robust remote support system, engaging stakeholders including government agencies and private sector partners can restore the high performance levels of extension workers.

This study focused on effect of Covid-19 on market orientation of catfish farmers in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo state Nigeria. The specific objectives were to : describe the socioeconomic characteristics of catfish farmers; identify the farming activities engaged in by the respondents; examine the measures used by catfish farmers to maintain market oriented production during outbreak of Covid-19 in the study area; examine the market orientation level of the catfish farmers during the outbreak of the Covid-19 ; ascertain the effect of the pandemic on the market orientation of the respondents ; identify the marketing information sources used by the respondents during the pandemic and identify the constraints encountered by the respondents during the outbreak. A three-stage sampling procedure was used for a proportional randomselectionof124 catfish farmers from the four fish farm clusters in the Local Government Area of the study. Primary data was collected through the use of structured questionnaire in line with the objectives of the study and was supported by in person interview schedule conducted among catfish farmers. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean scores as well as inferential statistics such as Multiple regression analysis