The study analyzed factors that motivate agricultural extension agents in Agricultural Development Programme of Abia State. Primary data were collected from 96 extension agents in Abia State, Nigeria who were selected using multi-stage random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean score, ordered logit and Spearman rank correlation. It was revealed that 58.3% of the extension agents were in medium motivation level. Result of the ordered logit regression revealed that salary, work incentive, job security and allowance exerted positive significant influence on extension agents’ motivation level, while work load exerted a negative significant influence. The Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed that level of motivation of extension agents was positively correlated with their age and education level but negatively correlated with their home distance from work location at p˂0.01. Constraints faced by majority of the extension agents were delay/infrequent payment of salary (84.34%), poor linkage between research centres and extension organizations (78.12%), illiteracy among farmers (72.92%), inadequate funding (72.92%) and inadequate equipment/tools (71.88%). It was recommended that the management board of extension agencies in Abia State in collaboration with the state government should design appropriate incentive mechanism for extra working hours and weekend tasks of extension agents and also create a system whereby excellent job performance by extension agents could be rewarded and motivated. These will attract, retain and motivate extension agents to better performance. تفاصيل المقالة

This study was conducted in Abia state, Nigeria with specific objectives to: describe socio economic characteristics of ADP and non-ADP contact farmers; estimate profitability level of the two farmer groups; compare profitability of cassava production among the two farmer groups; determine factors that influence profitability of ADP and non-ADP contact cassava farmers and identify problems constraining the cassava farmers. Multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data collected using structured questionnaire and interview schedule were analysed using descriptive statistics, cost and returns analysis, paired t-test and ordinary least square regression technique. The paired-t-test result showed that ADP contact cassava farmers had a statistically significant higher net return (N93, 638.6) per hectare of cassava production than non-ADP contact farmers (N65, 715.58). Factors that influenced profitability of cassava production among ADP contact farmers were age, variable costs, education and selling price while factors that influenced profitability of cassava production among non-ADP contact farmers were age, farming experience and selling price. Main constraint to cassava production among the ADP and non-ADP cassava farmers was inadequate access to credit. It was recommended that the scope of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in the state should be enlarged to accommodate more cassava farmers as evidence showed that ADP impacted positively on profitability of cassava production. To this end, additional skilled manpower should be employed and encouraged to visit more farmers on regular basis to teach them modern agricultural technologies. تفاصيل المقالة

This study analysed factors influencing food security status of female headed farm households in Abia state, Nigeria. Multistage random sampling technique was employed in selecting 240 female headed farm households from whom data were collected using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security indices and probit regression technique. Results of analysis showed that mean age of the female farm households heads was 47.56 years, while, mean farm size, household size, annual farm income and non-farm income of the female headed farm households were 0.71 hectares, 6 persons, 154,086 Naira and 92,034.08 Naira respectively. Food security line of the female headed farm households was N9206.81, with food insecurity incidence of 0.5863 and food insecurity gap of 0.4067. Results of probit regression showed that age, dependency ratio, level of education, extension access, farm income, household size, household asset endowment and membership of association were significant determinants of food security status of female headed farm households. Results also showed that 78.75% of the female headed farm households were constrained by inadequate access to credit. Relevant government agencies should mobilize female heads of farm households in Abia State and encourage them to join cooperative associations, so that they can derive benefits associated with being members of agricultural cooperatives such as increased access to credit, extension information and agricultural input, with which to improve farm productivity, farm income and food security. تفاصيل المقالة