Browsing by Author "Umar, I. S."

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Adoption of Organic Farming practices among Rural maize farmers in Niger State, Nigeria
(Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology, 18(2), 2019) Abdullahi, A.; Salihu, I. T.; Umar, I. S.; Hassan.S
The study investigated adoption of organic practices among rural maize farmers in Niger state, Nigeria, with specific objectives of describing socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers, identifying farmers’ sources of information on organic practices, examining adoption level of organic practices in maize production and identifying constraints limiting adoption of organic practices by the farmers. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 222 maize farmers and data collected through structured questionnaire were analyzed using frequency counts, means and percentages. Results obtained shows that farmers in the study area were males (70.3%), mostly married (75.7%) with formal education (62.6%) at mean age and household size of 35.8 years and six (6) persons respectively. Also, farmers regularly acquire information about organic practices through extension agents (72.5%), relatives and neighbours (90.1%). Similarly, eight (8) out of the 15 practices identified were adopted. These include crop rotation (59.9%), mixed cropping (79.7%), mixed farming (73.0%), hoe/hand weeding (61.3%), slash and burn (54.1%), hoe/minimum tillage (66.2%), farm yard manure (53.2%) and crop residue incorporation (83.8%). Total adoption by the farmers was restricted by constraints such as; high costs of organic inputs (x=2.92), Difficulty in accessing loans for organic crop production (x=2.86) and low supply of manure (x=2.86). To this end, adoption level of organic practices among rural maize farmers in Niger State can be said to be moderate thus; it was recommended that change agents should enlighten farmers on various organic methods of weed, pest and disease control through the major sources of information in the area
Factors influencing Women Participation in Savings Mobilization Scheme in Benue State
(Journal of Agripreneurship and Sustainable Development, 4(4), 2021) Lawal, M.; Salihu, I.T.; Tsado, J.H.; Umar, I. S.; Abdullahi, A.
The study determines factors influencing women participation in saving mobilization scheme (SMS) in Benue State, Nigeria. A sample size of 137 omen were selected from the State using four-stage sampling techniques. Structured questionnaire complimented with interview scheduled were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, percentages and frequency counts), Livelihood Status Index (LSI) and Ordinary Least Square regression. The result revealed that rural women participated commonly in saving money through esusu (X ̅ = 3.60, weekly thrift contribution (X ̅ = 3.45) as well as production and marketing cooperative (X ̅= 3.14). The findings also revealed that 52.6% of the respondents had high livelihood status during participation in SMS. The coefficient of age (0.050444), marital status (0.57432), household size (0.073597), years in education (-0.9544), membership of cooperative (0.432058) and access to credit (-0.08612) had significant influence on women level of participation in SMS. The study concluded that more than half of the respondents had high livelihood status during SMS. Also, the coefficient of age, marital status, household size, years of education, member cooperative and access to credit have influence on women level of participation in SMS in the study area. It was recommended that women should diversify in other sustainable income generating activities in order to enhance their livelihood status. Also, women should source for credit from viable and credible institution to ensure sustainable livelihood.
Training needs of Farmers for improved maize varieties’ cultivation in Niger State, Nigeria
(Proceedings of the 36th Farm Management Association of Nigeria (FAMAN) Conference, 2024) Umar, I. S.; Mohammed, U. H,; Abdullahi, A.; Mohammed, U.
The study examined the training needs of farmers for improved maize varieties’ cultivation in Niger State, Nigeria. This will assist extension agencies to develop training for maize cultivation based on the needs and preferences of farmers. A total of 240 respondents were proportionately and randomly selected from three Local Government Areas in the State. Validated interview schedule with reliability coefficient of 0.81 was used for collecting data. Data collected were analysed using percentage, mean and Poisson regression. The result showed that the mean age of the farmers was 38 years, while 73.3% of the respondents had formal education with average farm size of 1.7ha. Educational level (2.18), farming experience (2.29), farm size (3.16), cooperative membership (2.30) and income (1.85) positively and significantly influenced the training needs of the maize farmers. The paper drew attention to the need to consider the educational level, farming experience, farm size, cooperative membership and income of farmers when planning training programmes for maize cultivation. Farmers need training on planting methods, control of weeds, pests, diseases and fertilizer application. Preferably, trainings should be organised during the raining seasons in the villages on quarterly bases for short durations. It was also recommended that priority should be given to methods of planting, weed control, pest control, disease control and fertilizer application when training maize farmers.