GAJRC | Global Academic Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Journal Name:	Global Academic Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences
Abbr. Title:	Glob Acad J Agri Biosci
ISSN(Print):	2706-8978
ISSN(Online):	2707-2568
Frequency:	Bi-Monthly
Language:	English
Chief Editor:	Dr. Abdul Wali A. Al Khulaidi
Publisher:	Scholars Middle East Publishers
Country of Origin:	United Arab Emirates

Journal Name:

Global Academic Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Abbr. Title:

Glob Acad J Agri Biosci

ISSN(Print):

2706-8978

ISSN(Online):

2707-2568

Frequency:

Bi-Monthly

Language:

English

Chief Editor:

Dr. Abdul Wali A. Al Khulaidi

Publisher:

Scholars Middle East Publishers

Country of Origin:

United Arab Emirates

This study investigated the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agricultural extension for enhancing sustainable livelihoods among rural farmers in Abuja, Nigeria. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, data were collected from 200 respondents across five area councils. The socio-economic analysis revealed that 69% of farmers were male, with a mean age of 42.5 years and an average farm size of 2.1 hectares, and 42% reported access to extension agents. Findings on the role of AI tools indicated generally favourable responses, with the highest mean score recorded for "AI helps in making better farming decisions" (Mean = 3.13) and "AI improves weather-based planning" (Mean = 2.92). However, some skepticism remained, with lower mean scores reported for statements such as “AI tools reduce dependency on extension agents” (Mean = 2.37) and “AI optimizes resource use” (Mean = 2.35). Multiple regression analysis showed that age (p = 0.004), farming experience (p = 0.005), education (p = 0.021), cooperative membership (p = 0.028), contact with extension agents (p = 0.013), gender (p = 0.053) and farm size (p = 0.055) were significant predictors of AI adoption. Marital status was not significant (p = 0.289). Barriers to adoption were ranked using Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance (W = 0.78), with the top constraints being limited internet access (Mean Rank = 6.62), low digital literacy (5.86), and high device cost (5.74). The study concludes that while AI holds promise, its integration is shaped by socio-technical, infrastructural, and institutional factors.

Abstract: This study analyzed the determinants of cassava production among smallholder farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it estimated the profitability of cassava production, identified the factors affecting cassava output, and assessed the level of technical efficiency among the farmers. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 respondents, and data were collected using well-structured questionnaires. Analytical tools employed include descriptive statistics, the Cobb-Douglas production function, and the stochastic frontier production function. Results showed that 56% of the cassava farmers were male, with an average age of 45 years and an average farm size of 3 hectares. The total variable cost per hectare was ₦174,346.00, while total revenue was ₦990,826.67, yielding a gross margin of ₦816,480.67, a gross margin ratio of 0.82, and a rate of return on investment of 3.68. Cobb-Douglas analysis revealed that cassava cuttings, fertilizer, sex, age, household size, education, farm size and income significantly influenced cassava output (P<0.01). The stochastic frontier estimates also showed that planting material, fertilizer, herbicides, labour, and farm size significantly influenced production efficiency. However, inefficiency was significantly associated with age, sex, marital status, household size, extension contact, and access to credit. The average technical efficiency was 0.762, indicating a 24% efficiency shortfall. Major constraints faced by farmers included limited land access, weak land policies, insufficient finance, pest and disease infestations, and high labor costs. The study recommends the provision of subsidized inputs, access to credit, and greater inclusion of female farmers in cassava production in the study region.

April 28, 2025

Analysis of Small-Scale Farmers’ Perception of the Effect of Insurgency on Food Security in Borno State, Nigeria

Maisule, S. A., Fadiji T. O., Barnabas T. M., Aluko, O., Sennuga, S. O
Glob Acad J Agri Biosci, 2025; 7(2): 23-35
DOI : https://doi.org/10.36348/gajab.2025.v07i02.002

The study examined small-scale farmers’ perception of the effect of insecurity on food security in Borno State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 360 respondents, and primary data were collected using well-structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Hypotheses were tested using t-test and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that 75.5% of respondents were male, 60% were married, and 53% had formal education. The average age was 39 years, household size was 6, and farming experience averaged 20 years. Production significantly declined following insurgency, with 90.8% missing meals a few times within the year, while 63% attributed reduced food availability to diminished agricultural production. Limited market access was reported, with 62% indicating displacement as a key factor affecting food supply stability, and 49% perceiving increased malnutrition rates since insurgency began. The factor analysis shows that the causes of insecurity in the study area include socio-economic challenges, governance perceptions, trust and integrity, infrastructure conflicts, social issues, economic stability, and community land conflicts. The result of the multiple regression analysis showed that marital status, household size, education, and age significantly influenced production levels. Major farming constraints included herder-farmer conflicts, poor road access, high input costs, theft, and inadequate storage facilities. Hypothesis tests confirmed a significant difference in production without insurgency and with insurgency, with socio-economic characteristics (marital status, age, education, and household size) significantly affecting production levels. The study recommended that the government should prioritize security in agricultural sector to ensure farmers can access their land and engage in farming without fear of attacks or displacement in the region.

The composition of Chromaleana odorata and Aspilla africana leaf oil against cowpea seed storage bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus F. was evaluated in the laboratory under the ambient temperature of 28+20C and 70+5% relative humidity. The bioactivity of the vital oil removed by hydro distillation from Chromaleana odorata and Aspilla africana leaves was evaluated as well as 12: 12h light: dark regimes for its biological activity. Specific components of the important oil were recognized through GC, GC-MS as well as GC-Co injection with accurate standards. A total of 17 and 30 basic compounds identity of the vital oil of the two plants were established as well as their relative proportion determined. 6 – phenylhexanoic acid had highest percentage composition in Chromaleana odorata essential oil (24.53%), while 3 – Hydroxy-alpha-ionene is highest in Aspilia Africana oil (21.68). The main components were found to be basically responsible for the toxic action of its vital oil against bruchids. The uppermost dosage of the vital oil of the plant materials tested evoked the highest mortality after 7 days post treatment. The two botanicals were expressively effective at the bioactive concentration of 0.25ml invoked weevil bruchid mortality in treated cowpea seeds. The adult bruchid mortality improved slowly with botanical concentration as well as with the exposure time. There is need to expand the use of botanicals particularly in the agricultural management pest sector.

Feb. 8, 2025

Effectiveness of ICTs in Extension Service Delivery among Smallholder Farmers in Kwali Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

Ayoola Faith Joel, Joseph Bamidele, Beatrice Itoya Oyediji, Mudashir Adeola Olaitan, Ugochinyere Princess Eleke, Oluwamayowa Joseph Joel, Abubakar Tukur Tata, Samson Olayemi Sennuga
Glob Acad J Agri Biosci, 2025; 7(1): 8-17
DOI : https://doi.org/10.36348/gajab.2025.v07i01.002

This study examined the effectiveness of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in extension service delivery among smallholder farmers in Kwali Area Council, Abuja. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 120 smallholder farmers on which structured questionnaire was administered complemented with interview schedule. Primary data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean. Findings from the study revealed that majority farmers are male (91.7%), 63.3% aged between 36-45 years, married (66.7%), 60% have secondary education. Household sizes typically range from 4 to 6 members (45%), with farming experience mainly between 6 to 10 years (80.8%). Despite the importance of ICT in agriculture, only 10% of farmers currently use these technologies, primarily mobile phones (75%), with infrequent use overall. ICT-based extension services have notable impacts, including expanded information accessibility (75%), timeliness and relevance of information (90%), knowledge exchange (83.7%), skills development (72.5%), advancements in agricultural methods (85%), market access and financial integration (55%), risk management support (67.5%), and collaboration opportunities (73.3%). However, 80% of respondents find ICT tools not accessible or moderately accessible, and 90% have difficulty accessing ICT for farming information and support. Key constraints include limited ICT infrastructure (97.5%), high costs of devices and services (99.2%), low digital literacy (75%), language barriers (66.7%), geographical isolation (70%), limited content relevance (45%), inadequate technological support (95.8%), privacy concerns (47.5%), cultural barriers (90%), and poor connectivity (93.3%). Therefore, the study recommends; enhancement of ICT infrastructure, subsidizing ICT devices and services, improving digital Literacy, developing relevant and accessible ICT content and establishing technological support systems in the study region.