IOSR-JAVS   Volume-2 ~ Issue-6 ~ Mar-Apr-2013

ABSTRACT: Evaluation of the success of extension delivery programmes, in most cases, has focused on farmers, viz-`a-viz behavioural change in terms of adoption as well as increased use of production inputs, yield, income and impact assessment (farmers standard of living). And when the indices on these variables are low, farmers are blamed for not responding to extension delivery programmes. However, the effectiveness and efficiency with which extension personnel deliver extension services cannot be over looked as this may in fact be a greater reason for success or failure of extension programmes. In this regard, the study was conducted to find out how farmers perceive or evaluate the effectiveness of extension delivery. In conducting the study, 180 farmers participating in extension programme in Cross River state were randomly selected using the multi-stage random sampling technique. The data collected through a structured questionnaire were analyzed using the t-test of significance of difference between sample and population means., The study found that farmers were unanimous that extension delivery process was not very effective as the study found no significant difference between the population and sample means at 95% confidence level. The strongest links in the delivery process areas were found to be farmer visits, meetings between farmers and extension personnel, demonstration, while the weakest links were organization of Research-Extension-Farmer-Linkages, farmer training programmes and distribution of training materials.

Keywords: Perception, effectiveness, extension, delivery, farmers.

[1]. Agbarevo, M.N.B and Obinne, C.P.O., 2010. Elements of Rural Sociology and Agricultural Extension . Enugu: Teo Publishers.
[2]. Agbarevo, M.N. 2005.Sustainable agriculture in Nigeria: Issues and the way forward. Journal of Research in Agriculture. 2(2) 1-6
[3]. Ajayi, A.R., 2005. Programme, planning, monitoring and evaluation in agricultural extension. In S. F. Adedoyin, (ed.), Agricultural Extension in Nigeria. Ilorin: Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria.
[4]. Amalu, U.C., 1998. Agricultural Research and Extension Delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa. Calabar University of Calabar Press.
[5]. Chinaka et al. cited in Imoh, A.N and Essien, M.U., 2005. Adoption of improved cassava varieties among small scale farmers in Ikot-Ekpene Zone of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, in M.A. orheruata, S.O. Nwokoro, M.T. Ajayi, A.T. Adekunle and G.N. Asumugha (eds.), Agricultural Rebirth for Improved Production in Nigeria. Proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria held at the University of Benin, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria, October 9-13, 2005, pp.8-10
[6]. Iwueke, C.C., 1990. Variables influencing technology transfer, adoption and monitoring. A paper presented at the 3rd National Farming Systems Research Network workshop, 14-16, August, University of Calabar.
[7]. Lebo, A.E.A., 1986. Management and coordination of technical services in Cross River Agricultural Development Programme, Monograph series.
[8]. Misra, D.C.,1997. Monitoring extension programmes and resources in B.E. Swanson R.P. Bentz, A.J. Sofranko (eds.), Improving Agricultural Extension. A Reference Manual(2nd ed.), pp. 151-160.
[9]. Moris, J. cited in Igbokwe, E.A and Enwere, N.J., 2001. Participatory Rural Appraisal in Developmental Research. Enugu: New Generation Books.
[10]. Otuokere,R.T., 1998. Co-ordination between Agricultural Research Institutes and Extension service in Imo State. Unpublished M.sc Thesis,. University of Nigeria.

ABSTRACT: The present article describes the region wise changes in area of five major cereals (Rice, Kharip Jowar, Rabbi Jowar, Bajara and Wheat) in four decades (1960-1970, 1970-1980, 1980-1990 and 1990-2000). The changes in area are investigated by using Fisher-Pry model. Study of changes in area is useful to understand cropping pattern.

Key Words: Area, Cereals, Fisher-Pry model.

[1]. Saini, G.R. (1963), "Some aspects of changes in cropping pattern in western Uttar Pradesh", Agriculture Situation in India, 18(6), 09-17.
[2]. Singh, A.J. and Kaur, Parmjit (1990), "Structural Changes In Punjab Agriculture", Agriculture Situation in India, 45(4), 225-232.
[3]. Thomas, K.J., Thomas, E.K. and Devi, P. Indira (1990), "An Analysis of cropping pattern in Kerala", Agriculture Situation in India, 45(3), 183-186.
[4]. Moni,K.P and Jose, P.P.(1994), "Shifts in cropping pattern in Kerala-an Inter district Analysis", Indian Journal of Agriculture Economics, 52(3), 433-434.
[5]. Vivekananda and Satyapriya(1994), "Karnataka‟s changing cropping pattern", Agriculture Situation in India, 49(6), 441-444.

ABSTRACT: A stable political environment is an important factor in the productivity of agribusiness enterprises. Amnesty policy was formulated to stop the ugly effect of militancy on the economy of Nigeria. Economic impact of government amnesty policy on artisanal fishing business, was studied using randomly selected 80 fishers. Structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from the respondents. Following a counter factual approach, collected data were disaggregated into pre-amnesty and post - amnesty policy eras. Null hypothesis of no significant impact was tested using t-statistics. The result shows that artisanal fishing output after the amnesty policy is significantly higher than output before the amnesty policy. Similarly, test of hypothesis shows that the average revenue from fish sales (N10,428.750) after the amnesty policy is significantly higher (P<0.05) than revenue obtained before amnesty policy intervention. The result of the counter factual analysis of output/revenue of fishers indicates that government amnesty policy intervention significantly and positively impacted on artisanal fishing business in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria. It was concluded the amnesty policy (presidential pardon granted militants,disarmament and re-integration) actualy translated to peaceful business environment necessary for development of artisanal fishing agribusiness in the Niger-Delta, Nigeria. This policy option should be replicated as a template in locations were political instability is a threat to economic development.

Keywords: economic resonance, amnesty policy intervention, Niger-Delta, artisanal fishing, agrjbusiness,

[[1]. Achoja, F.O. (2007) The Niger-Delta: a struggle misdirected (unpublished) public lecture at NYSC orientation camp, Isele Uku, Delta State.
[2]. Achoja, F.O. (2010). Economic Effects of Malaria on the Productivity loss of Artisanal Fisher-Folks in Lake Ona, Delta State, Nigeria. In Agriculturae Et Sub Tropical 44 (3).
[3]. Adeola, O. (2010). The Nations Newspaper of 13/01/2010 the nationonlineng.net/../page1.htm/
[4]. Damodar, N. Gujarati (2009). Basic Econometrics Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill Company Inc New York. Pp. 553 – 565.
[5]. Ekong E. Ekong (2003). An Introduction to Rural-Sociology. Publisher Dove Educational Publishers 80 Wellington Bassey Way Uyo, Nigeria. pp. 132-190.
[6]. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography of Nigeria (24 June, 2009)
[7]. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/warri-climatic conditions (Jan, 11 2008).
[8]. Environmental issues in the Niger-Delta http://en.org/wiki/environmental (April, 2011).
[9]. Goh, C.L. (1973) Certificate physical and human geography. Oxford University Press Hong Kong pp. 75.
[10]. Lan B. and Paul C. (2003). Natural Resources and Violent Conflict options and Actions. The World Bank Washington, D.C pg. 1.