Journal of Agricultural Research and Development

Business Risks and Coping Strategies among Poultry Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

O.W. Kareem — 2026-10-10

Poultry production continues to play a vital role in supporting rural livelihoods and food security in Kwara State, Nigeria. Yet, despite farmers’ active use of coping strategies, their resilience to business risks is still limited by high input costs and inconsistent access to institutional support. This study examined business risk and coping strategies among poultry farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A four-stage sampling procedure was used to select 240 registered poultry farmers from Ilorin South, Ilorin West, and Asa Local Government Areas. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Results showed that most farmers were male (65.8%), married (87.5%), with a mean age of 56.48 years and 17.79 years of farming experience. Feed suppliers (95.8%) and the Poultry Association of Nigeria (91.7%) were the main sources of information, while extension services were poorly utilized (10.0%). The most common coping strategies were seeking credit or financial assistance (mean=3.90), income diversification (mean=3.82), and use of improved poultry breeds (mean=3.80). Human risk (67.5%) was the most cited business risk, followed by production risk (57.9%) and financial risk (55.8%). The most severe constraint was high cost of poultry inputs (mean=2.71), rated as very severe by 83.3% of farmers. Overall, 60.0% of farmers showed high utilization of coping strategies (overall mean=3.36).Regression results revealed that annual income positively influenced coping strategy utilization (B=0.264, p<0.05), while access to credit (B=-0.612, p<0.05) and farming experience (B=-0.016, p<0.05) had negative effects. The study concluded that farmers actively use diverse coping strategies, but high input costs and limited credit access remain key challenges. It recommended poultry-specific credit schemes, restructuring extension services to work with trusted private channels, and subsidizing feed inputs to enhance farmers’ resilience.

Poverty Dynamics Among Nigerian Maize Farming Households: Evidence from A Markov Chain Analysis

C.O. Idiaye — 2026-10-10

This study investigated poverty transitions and their determinants among maize farmers in Nigeria via panel data from the 2010 and 2018 waves of the General Household Survey. Descriptive analysis, the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) index, probit regression, and Markov transition models were employed to profile the socioeconomic characteristics of maize farmers, estimate the determinants of poverty, and analyse poverty dynamics over time. The findings revealed an increase in poverty among farmers, with 67.4% classified as poor in 2018, up from 54.8% in 2010. The key factors influencing poverty include household size, land ownership, and farm size. The analysis highlighted significant transitions in poverty status, with 36.5% of farmers who were poor in 2010 moving out of poverty by 2018. Despite modest productivity growth, barriers such as high input costs and inadequate extension services hindered further improvement. This study underscores the need for policies that promote price stability, expand access to credit, and provide targeted training to increase productivity and alleviate poverty among maize farmers.

BIODEGRADATION OF AGRO-WASTES BY <>Ganoderma lucidum UNDER SOLID-STATE FERMENTATION FOR NUTRIENT-ENRICHED BIOMASS PRODUCTION

N.A. Sadiku — 2026-10-10

This study investigated the biodegradation dynamics and nutritional transformation of five agro-wastes; potato peels, cassava peels, red guinea corn husks, cowpea pods, and wheat bran, treated with Ganoderma lucidum under solid-state fermentation. The experiment followed a completely randomized factorial design with five biomass types and five degradation periods (0–30 days). Proximate parameters, including moisture, crude fat, crude fiber, crude protein, ash, and total carbohydrate, were analyzed according to AOAC (2010) methods. Results revealed that G. lucidum significantly influenced the degradability and nutritional profile of all biomass types (p ≤ 0.05). Wheat bran recorded the highest weight loss (33.13%), followed by guinea corn husk (21.38%), while cassava peel exhibited the least (12.83%). Fungal fermentation enhanced crude fat (1.90–2.30%) and dry matter (84.20–86.68%) but decreased total carbohydrate (68.61–35.77%) with progressive incubation, confirming carbohydrate utilization as the main carbon source. Moisture content increased from 5.81% to 36.84%, indicating metabolic water production during decomposition. Correlation analysis showed strong positive associations between degradation time, crude fat (r = 0.414**), and moisture (r = 0.867**), while carbohydrate content correlated negatively with incubation days (r = –0.465**). These findings demonstrated the efficiency of G. lucidum in transforming lignocellulosic wastes into nutrient-enriched biomass. The study highlighted fungal biotechnology as a sustainable strategy for agro-waste valorization and alternative livestock feed formulation, supporting the transition toward circular bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture.

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF <>Carica papaya L. AND <>Euphorbia hirta L. LEAVES AGAINST PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

O.C. Okechukwu — 2026-10-10

Infectious diseases are reported to be the world’s major threat to human, animals and plants. With the continuous use and misuse of antibiotics, disease causing microorganisms are becoming more resistant to antibiotics. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts of Carica papaya and Euphorbia hirta leaves against five pathogenic bacteria; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both fresh and dried leaves of C. papaya were used while only dried leaf of E. hirta was used. The leaf extracts were prepared by shredding them into pieces and macerating in ethanol for 72 hours. The mixture was filtered and evaporated to dryness. The plant extracts showed significant inhibitory effect (p ≥ 0.05) against P. aeruginosa at the different concentrations. Dried leaves of C. papaya and E. hirta had no antibacterial activity on S. typhi, S. aureus and B. cereus at all the concentrations. Escherichia coli was inhibited by the extracts at 50 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL concentrations. The antimicrobial activity of Carica papaya and Euphorbia hirta leaves against some of the microorganisms is an indication that the plant species can be useful in drug development, and alternative medicine.

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PRODUCTIVITY OF SMALLHOLDER MAIZE FARMERS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

S.T. Adeniyi — 2026-10-10

The study analyzed financial inclusion and its influence on the productivity of smallholder maize farmers in Northern Nigeria. The study employed secondary data obtained from the Nigeria General Household Survey (GHS) Panel, Wave 5, under the LSMS–ISA framework with 597 valid observations covering the North Central Zone (NCZ), North East Zone (NEZ), and North West Zone (NWZ) of Nigeria. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). The results revealed that financial inclusion among smallholder maize farmers in Northern Nigeria remains generally low. In the pooled sample, 39.53% of farmers had no financial inclusion, 15.58% exhibited low inclusion, while only 22.28% attained a high level of financial inclusion. Zonal disaggregation shows marked regional disparities, with the Northwest recording the highest level of financial exclusion (50.55%). The productivity analysis revealed that maize farmers operate below the production frontier, with a pooled mean technical efficiency of 0.5881, indicating substantial inefficiency. Technical efficiency varied significantly across zones, with the NEZ recording the highest mean efficiency (0.7458), followed by the NWZ (0.5991) and NCZ (0.4744). The stochastic frontier results showed that urea fertilizer, farm size, and seed had positive and statistically significant effects on maize output and the inefficiency model further revealed that financial inclusion significantly reduced technical inefficiency across all zones. The study recommends expanding and improving digital financial infrastructure in rural areas, promoting financial literacy and enhancing digital capability among smallholder farmers, leveraging farmer-based organizations to deepen financial inclusion and adoption of region-specific financial inclusion strategies due tosignificant zonal disparities in financial inclusion and productivity outcomes.

TRAINING NEEDS FOR DIGITAL EXTENSION TOOLS IN AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AMONG CASSAVA VALUE CHAIN ACTORS IN IBADAN METROPOLIS, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

A.M. Durojaiye — 2026-10-10

Poor coverage of farmers by extension services and other limitations necessitates the need to adapt the agricultural process to new opportunities, one of which is digital extension. This is more so important for cassava value chain actors given the recognition of the crop for food security in Nigeria and its widespread promotion by several local and regional development interventions. Therefore, digital extension training needs for agricultural information management among cassava value chain actors in the Ibadan metropolis was investigated. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 95 cassava value chain actors comprising extension workers, farmers, processors, and marketers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire on their enterprise characteristics, awareness, access, use of digital extension tools for agricultural information management and training needs of the respondents. Data were analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, mean, and ANOVA at α_0.05. Respondents were mostly male (51.6%) and had 7.3±5.2 years of experience in the cassava value chain. Awareness and access levels to digital communication tools were high among the cassava value chain actors while the extent of use of the tools was still low. Agricultural extension workers were the highest user (=26.4) while the processors were least users (=15.0) of the digital extension tools. Awareness and use of digital tools for extension information management is still below average among the cassava value chain actors. Training needs were observed for Drones (), Satellite system (), and Skit (). A significant difference (F=3.598, p=0.017) existed in the use of agricultural digital extension tools among the stakeholders. The study demonstrates that while the foundation for digital extension adoption exists among cassava value chain actors in Ibadan metropolis, substantial investments in training, infrastructure and user support are required to transform awareness into meaningful and sustained utilisation. Modernising traditional agricultural extension requires a stronger focus on innovative digital information systems to boost adoption.

Cassava value chain, Digital extension, Information management, Innovative agriculture.

DETERMINANTS OF IMPROVED PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY UTILISATION AMONG COCOA FARMERS IN ONDO STATE

O.W. Kareem — 2026-10-10

Cocoa remains an important contributor to Nigeria’s agricultural export economy; however, productivity among smallholder farmers remains below potential due to uneven utilisation of improved production technologies. This study examined the socioeconomic characteristics of cocoa farmers, assessed the extent of utilisation of improved cocoa production technologies, and identified factors influencing utilisation. A cross-sectional survey with a two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 266 cocoa farmers from six Local Government Areas. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple multiple regression. Farmers had a mean age of 51 ± 14.71 years and were predominantly male (69%), married (75%), and well educated, with 54.5% having above 12 years of education. Most cultivated small-scale farms (67%; mean = 4.46 ± 2.7 ha), earned ₦1,000,000–5,000,000 (66%), and belonged to farming associations (73%). Canopy shade management, particularly regular pruning (62.8%) and regulated shade (57.5%), recorded the highest utilisation, and post-harvest fermentation (56.8%). Conversely, grafted seedlings, complete replanting with hybrids, side-grafting, and hydrocarbon-free jute bags recorded low utilisation, with “never used” rates ranging from 57.5% to 65.0%. Regression analysis showed that age, marital status, sex, years of education, land ownership method, annual income, and farming association membership significantly influenced utilisation (R² = 0.195, Adjusted R² = 0.163, F = 6.165, p<0.05). The study concluded that farmers are more likely to utilise affordable, labour-based technologies with immediate benefits, while capital-intensive technologies remain underutilised. The study recommends improving access to credit, strengthening extension services, and supporting farmer organisations to enhance technology utilisation and cocoa productivity in Ondo State.

ASSESSMENT OF SOCIAL INTERACTIONS FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION AMONG FARMERS AND HERDERS IN SAKI EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

O.A. Adeniran — 2026-10-10

This study examined social interactions for conflict resolution mechanisms among farmers and herders in Saki East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 149 respondents (farmers and herders). Data were collected using structured interview schedule and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority (89.3%) of the respondents were male with a mean age of 47.4 years. The extent of social interaction was slightly above average (51.0%), with combined economic activities. Majority (60.4%) of the respondents reported More opportunity for livelihood diversification (X̄ = 1.54). The most utilised conflict resolution was consultation with community leaders (X̄ = 1.64). Pearson Product Moment Correlation result revealed a significant relationship between social interaction and use of conflict resolution mechanisms (r = 0.334) The study concluded that interaction was positively associated with conflict resolution, suggesting that higher levels of social interaction were related to better conflict resolution outcomes. It recommended capacity building for community leaders to strengthen peace building efforts.

RELEASED BUT NOT REALIZED: HOW BUDGET RELEASE GAPS SHAPE AGRICULTURAL R&D OUTPUTS AND ADOPTION IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

B.A. Aodu — 2026-10-10

This study examines how budget release gaps affect agricultural R&D outcomes in the Nigerian public research institutions. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected on 41(of 51 publicly sampled) publicly funded crop-based R&D projects implemented across nine agricultural research institutes between 2018-2022. Findings reveal systemic and partial budget releases with 43.90% of projects received less than 50% of appropriated funds, while only 34.15% received full funding. A strong statistically significant association exists between budget release levels and project objective achievement (χ² = 23.99, p < 0.005; Cramer's V = 0.765). R&D projects that received <50% of budgeted fund had 77.78% failure rates in achieving objective(s). Ordinal logistic regression shows projects that received <50% of appropriated fund has 88% lower odds of higher adoption rates (OR = 0.118, p = 0.009). We also found that the form(s) of agricultural R&D outputs, notably tangible R&D did not independently predict R&D output adoption, suggesting that complementary activities matter more than the nature of outputs only. This study concludes that a minimum funding threshold of 50 - 75% is required for project viability, and recommends enhanced budget release discipline, particularly in Nigerian crop-based agricultural RIs.