Journal of Agricultural Extension

Usefulness and Usability of a Web-Based System for Disseminating Maize Production Knowledge in the Manyara Region, Tanzania

2025-04-29T06:33:30+00:00

This study designed and evaluated the usefulness and usability of a web-based system for disseminating maize production knowledge to farmers in Tanzania’s Manyara region. The system covered all stages of maize production, from farm preparation to harvesting and storage, and provided knowledge in multimedia formats with interactive features. Eighty-one smallholder maize farmers from Hanang, Mbulu, and Babati districts evaluated the system's usefulness and usability (satisfaction) via questionnaires, while an additional 10 respondents assessed its usability in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. Researchers observed respondents using the system to assess its effectiveness and efficiency. Data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Results showed that most smallholders found the system’s content and features useful (x̅=4.5). With an average System Usability Scale score of 87.5 and all users successfully completing tasks, the system proved easy to use. The study highlights the need for designing useful and user-friendly web-based systems, like the one under study, to help smallholders in developing countries access crop production knowledge, enhancing their productivity and decision-making capabilities.

Agricultural Extension Services and Climate Adaptive Capacity of Smallholder Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

2025-04-29T10:13:17+00:00

Climate adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers through agricultural extension and climate information sources in Ebonyi State, Nigeria was evaluated. Sample sizes of 428 smallholder farmers were selected through multi-stage sampling procedure. Data collected using questionnaire were analysed using percentage, and multivariate probit model. Source of agricultural extension service of smallholder farmers includes; farmer-to-farmer extension (99.6%), mobile phones (96.4%), radio (90.7%) and organized workshops/seminars (88.4%). Source of climate information service were farmer-to-farmer networks (94.4%), radio (90.6%), community meetings (85.4%) and mobile phones (81.6%). Planting of drought-tolerant crops (P<0.05), soil-water conservation (P<0.05), modifying planting dates (P<0.05), and implementing crop rotation systems (P<0.05) were significant adaptive strategies engaged by the smallholder farmers. Agricultural extension and climate information services enhanced adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers. Farmers were advised to engage proven adaptation measures to mitigate adverse effects of weather conditions.

The Impact of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Southeast, Nigeria

2025-04-29T10:56:44+00:00

The study assessed the impact of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Southeast, Nigeria. Quantitative data were explored using a cross-sectional survey hinged on the difference-in-difference, a retrospective causal-comparative impact evaluation design. All ABP beneficiaries and non-beneficiary smallholder farmers constituted the population for the study. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select a representative sample size of 381 for the beneficiaries and 384 for the non-beneficiaries. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule. The collected data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, t-test and DiD estimator. The findings show that the ABP intervention did not significantly (β = 78,874; t = 0.02) impact the livelihood assets of smallholder farmers on the whole, though it had an impact on some human (level of education: DiD=0.04) and financial assets (level of access to credit: DiD=0.01). The Project Management Team should critically review the programme’s design and implementation to ensure it better addresses the factors that influence livelihood assets.

Rural-Urban Differentials in Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence for Improved Agricultural Production among Crop Farmers in Southeast Nigeria

2025-04-30T10:07:55+00:00

This study analysed rural-urban differentials in the utilisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for improved crop production among farmers in Nigeria. It specifically examined the level of awareness and utilisation of AI, the effect of AI usage on crop production, and the challenges associated with the awareness and utilisation of AI. 316 respondents were selected through multistage sampling, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and OLS regression. Urban farmers (16.46%) were more aware than rural farmers (10.13%), and the awareness was more among young farmers (17.40%). Most respondents (16.4%) learned about AI through social media. Only 17.09% of farmers used AI, with 11% of those users coming from urban areas. Age (β =-18.57), AI usage (β=3451.890), education (β=86.65), and extension services (β=160.38) were determinants of improved crop production among urban farmers. In comparison, AI usage (β=3499.69), education (β=57.63) and farm size (β=118.56) were the drivers in the rural areas. Rural farmers (=2.68) were faced with more challenges than urban farmers (=2.41). Urban farmers face AI disparity (=2.87) and knowledge gaps (=3.66), while rural farmers lack access to AI-enabled devices (=3.47). To improve crop productivity, Nigeria's AI strategy should prioritise awareness campaigns, especially in rural areas.