List of Articles Ajieh Chuks

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  1 - Mapping of Agricultural Information Flows for Yam Minisett Technology in Delta State, Nigeria
  Agbamu Joseph Ozor Augustine Ajieh Chuks
  ABSTRACTThis 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. More

  ABSTRACTThis 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. Manuscript profile
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  2 - Constraints and Adoption of Practices in poultry production in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria
  Ajieh Chuks C. O Oyibojoba
  This study examined constraints and adoption in poultry production in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria. A sample size of 80 respondents comprising of supervisors of selected farms was used for the study. Data were collected in March 2017 through th More

  This study examined constraints and adoption in poultry production in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria. A sample size of 80 respondents comprising of supervisors of selected farms was used for the study. Data were collected in March 2017 through the use of a structured and validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean score, standard deviation and percentage were used to summarize data. Results of the study reveal that major constraints to poultry production include: high cost of veterinary services (M = 2.32), high cost of poultry feeds (M = 2.30), lack of credit facilities (M =2.30) and high cost of poultry equipment (M = 2.18). There was high adoption of the following poultry production practices: adequate preparation of the poultry house before arrival of chicks (90%), restriction of sudden entry into the poultry house (93.8%), provision of adequate ventilation (87.5%), provision of clean water without restriction (86.3%) and regular cleaning of drinkers and feeders (83.8%). Strategies identified in this study for enhancing poultry production include: qualified personnel should be used to manage poultry farms (M = 3.19), provision of credit facilities (M = 2.95), subsidy on poultry feeds and equipment (M = 2.91), and the removal of duty on importation of raw materials for poultry feeds formulation (M = 2.69). Furthermore, a significant difference in the mean scores of constraints to poultry production and adoption of poultry production practices implies that constraints affect the adoption of practices in poultry production. Manuscript profile
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  3 - Training Needs of Agricultural Extension Agents in Delta State, Nigeria
  Ajieh P. C Ulakpa J. E
  This study examined the training needs of agricultural extension agents in Delta State, Nigeria. A sample of 102 respondents was drawn from extension agents in the States’ Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MAN More

  This study examined the training needs of agricultural extension agents in Delta State, Nigeria. A sample of 102 respondents was drawn from extension agents in the States’ Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR) and the FADAMA Programme. Data were collected in February 2017 by using a structured and validated questionnaire. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean scores, percentage, frequency count and standard deviation were used to summarize data, while Spearman Rank Order correlation coefficient (rho) was used to determine the relationship between competence and training needs of extension agents. Results reveal that extension agents are competent in the following professional skills: teaching farmers, public speaking, determination of farmers’ needs and planning extension programmes. It was also found that extension agents need training in some professional skills which include: production of teaching aids, planning excursion and field trips, providing market information and simplifying agricultural research results. Constraints to training of agricultural extension agents identified by the study include: poor funding, high cost of training, poor training incentives and limited training opportunities. A strong relationship was found between extension agents’ competence and their training needs. This study therefore recommends that training opportunities should be created by relevant agencies to enable extension agents improve their competence and performance. Also, constraints to training identified in this study should be tackled to allow for sustainable training programmes. Manuscript profile
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  4 - Information and Communication Technology Training Needs for Agricultural Extension Workers in Delta State, Nigeria
  Oghenero Ovharhe Peter Emaziye Elizabeth Yarhere Ajieh Chuks Deborah Igeh Faith Ugbunu
  20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.4.8
  The study investigated the training needs of agricultural extension workers on the use of information and communication technology (ICT). Some specific objectives were to ascertain the level of awareness on channels of information on ICT available to extension workers a More

  The study investigated the training needs of agricultural extension workers on the use of information and communication technology (ICT). Some specific objectives were to ascertain the level of awareness on channels of information on ICT available to extension workers and to identify the constraints facing agricultural extension workers on the use of ICT in Delta State. A sample size of 80 was obtained; first, purposive and second, random sampling techniques. Information was gathered with a semi-structured questionnaire. Major results obtained revealed that the respondents’ awareness of information channels on ICT were mostly telephone (96.3%), photo camera (95.0%) and radio (93.9%). In the competence of ICT utilization, telephone with on-line forum (group chat) (mean = 3.6), and laptop (mean = 3.3) were most applicable. However, low competence in usage was recorded in video conferencing (mean = 2.0), and GPS (mean = 1.7). The most serious constraints were frequent power failure (mean = 3.7), high cost of ICT infrastructure coupled with poor communication network (mean = 3.6) in the rural areas of Delta State. Result of tested hypothesis showed that there was a significant relationship between social economic profile of respondents and ICT competence of extension workers (p <0.05). The benefits of the study is typical in the exposure of necessary training needs made available for development interventions. It was recommended that there ought to be regular electricity power supply, subsidized the high cost of ICT and availability of good communication network in rural areas. DOR: 20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.4.8 Manuscript profile