Digital technologies are essential for gathering, preserving, assessing, and sharing information. These technologies are seen to have the ability to improve logistics, planning, scheduling, and procurement within the supply chain. This study investigated how Kwara State's rice farmers' productivity was influenced by digital technology. Through a three-stage random sampling approach, primary data was acquired from 151 rice producers. Descriptive statistics, the sigma scoring approach, ordinary least square regression, logit regression model, and a Likert-type scale were used to examine the data. The results show that the most extensively utilised digital technology among farmers was mobile phones, with a high adoption level of Sigma score of 5.94. Major determinants of digital technology usage among rice farmers were age (p<0.01), digital awareness (p<0.01), experience in rice farming (p<0.05), access to agricultural financing (p<0.05), and digital awareness (p<0.01). Additional studies showed the purpose of digital technology usage, how frequently it is utilised, and how mobile phone communication with extension workers has a positive statistically significant effect on the rice productivity of farmers. The exorbitant cost of mobile phones, poor access to extension workers, inadequate power supply, weak network connectivity, and poor access to credit impede rice farmers from embracing digital technology. The study advises that to increase farmers' agricultural productivity, the government and development partners should educate farmers about the benefits and correct usage of mobile phones. Expanding network coverage to remote places should also be a focus to improve seamless digital technology use.

Analysis of drivers and profitability of Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage Technology use in Benue State, Nigeria

1Asogwa, Uzoamaka G. and 2Ayinde, E. Opeyemi

1Agriculture and rural management training institute (ARMTI), PMB 1343, Ilorin, Nigeria

2Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria

*Corresponding author e-mail: uzoasogwa@gmail.com, phone: +2348064710121

Abstract

This study evaluates the drivers and profitability of PICS technology use. We use data collected from 120 cowpea farmers and their corresponding counterfactuals in 12 communities of Benue State. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression and marketing margin were employed in analyzing the data generated. The results of the study shows that most of the respondents were male and married, however access to credit and extension contact was low across the two group. Results of the logistic regression shows that age, marital status, and household size, off-farm income, extension contact, credit access and quantity of cowpea harvested are significant factors influencing use of PICS technology. The result also suggest that PICS users earn higher return and market share than the non-users value. Thus, the study recommends that rural development policies should consider credit or grant access and extension contact a core component in promoting technology uptake while also sensitizing farmers on the benefits of PICS technology use.

Murang’a County's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, with smallholder farmers forming the backbone of food production. The small holder farmers rely on weather patterns to determine the agricultural seasons and activities. This region, has recently faced numerous challenges on food shortage and increase in reported cases of malnutrition. From previous studies, climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and threatens the food security and nutritional status of any population. Research also links the currently observed climate changes to human activities. Applying the Tragedy of commons theory, individuals with access to a public resource act in their own interest and ultimately deplete the resource. Collective impacts of individuals’ activities that are unfriendly to the environment have been said to result to the inevitable changes in climate. Kenya is among the countries that signed the Paris Agreement on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in order to reduce global warming. The agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. This study purposed to comprehensively assess the effect of climate change on food production and nutrition among smallholder farmers in Murang'a County It also aimed at establishing the role of vulnerable groups (children, women, disabled individuals, pregnant women, and the sick) in the relationship between climate change and food security and nutrition in Murang’a County. It sought to identify specific climate risks and vulnerabilities faced by these groups and explore innovative strategies and policy recommendations to mitigate these risks and enhance resilience as a means of enhancing food security and nutrition. In pursuit of fulfilling her mandate on the Paris Agreement, there are strategies that are called upon for climate change mitigation. The Social Learning theory underscores the importance of community-based learning and collaboration in adopting sustainable practices to mitigate climate risks in pursuit of sustainable food productivity in the County. Murang’a county has experienced changes in climatic patterns especially on rainfall amounts and temperature fluctuations. This study employed primary data analysis of smallholder farmers in Murang’a County. Purposive sampling was used to select Murang’a County, clustering was done to include all the sub counties in Murang’a County and small holder farmers were randomly selected to take part in the study. The study explored innovative ways to integrate traditional ecological knowledge with scientific findings to develop adaptive strategies that mitigate climate change impacts on food security and nutrition in Murang’a County, ensuring the well-being of all community members. The study findings revealed that the food shortages and nutrition challenges experienced in Murang’a County are due to changes in climate. Residents of Murang’a County have experienced climate risks that have led to crop failure, loss of livestock, displacement and even loss of life. They are ready to take actions that may alleviate them from food security and nutrition challenges. They are aware of traditional methods of predicting weather changes and seek guidance on mitigation and adaptive mechanisms as they rely on climate-fed agriculture. The study recommends capacity building for smallholder farmers on climate change mitigation and adaptation. It also recommends policy changes on support of innovation on resilience to climate changes in pursuit of alleviating the challenges that come with climate change especially to the vulnerable groups due to their challenges in mobility. Further recommendation is to use digital transmission as a climate change resilience measure.

Formulating sound policies on harnessing the full potential of underutilized edible insects requires a deep knowledge of their current commercialization level and its drivers. The objective of this study is therefore to bring to light the determinants of edible insect commercialization. The study was carried out in Benue State due to its high involvement in edible insect commercialization. A cross sectional survey using a three-stage sampling procedure was used to retrieve data from 200 rural households that were involved in the commercialization of underutilized edible insects in the State. Descriptive statistics, the household commercialization index, and the Tobit regression analytical tools were adopted for this study. The study revealed that cricket, termite, caterpillar, grasshopper, and palm weevil were the edible insect species that are popularly commercialized in the study area. The prime drivers of commercialization of underutilized edible insects were gender (p = 0.1), marital status (p = 0.05), years of schooling of the household head (p = 0.1), annual income (p = 0.01) and household size (p = 0.01). It is recommended that the government and other interested bodies reorient rural households on the benefits that can be derived from this enterprise to further promote the concept of commercializing of under-utilised edible insects.

Cashew production has a lot of potentials for the development of the Nigerian economy. However, these potentials have not been optimized as cashew farming in Nigeria is characterized by use of traditional practices such as poor spacing and direct sowing of seeds, poor use of innovation along the value chain of the crop and weak linkages among stakeholders in its innovation system. The aim of the study was to examine local economic development in cashew production using the agricultural innovation system approach. The objectives of the study were to: (i) examine the linkage among actors in the cashew value chain; (ii) describe the stakeholders’ innovative activities in the value chain; (iii) assess the value chain actors’ use of innovative practices; (iv) examine the effects of selected innovative practices on actors’ welfare.

The study employed a cross-sectional research design. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches and the targeted population for this study were the cashew value chain actors and the key stakeholders in the cashew sector in Kwara and Oyo States. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 282 actors from a sampling frame obtained from the State Chapters of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria. There was a purposive selection of 10 key stakeholders in the cashew sector. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and Focus Group Discussion. The statistical tools used for the analysis were descriptive statistics, double hurdle model, and structural equation model.

Result showed that producers, local buyers, and local processors were the main cashew value chain actors, with an average weighted degree of 27.07 linkage between them. Also, planting depth, spacing, pruning, and polyclonal seeds were the innovative practices used by the actors; with an overall mean usage level of 37.20. The result further showed that the use of innovative practices had a positive significant effect on the welfare indicators at p<0.05.

The study concluded that the examined innovative practices had positive effects on the welfare of the actors. The study therefore recommended that there is need to drive the use of innovative practices by the key stakeholders in cashew production through training and capacity development of the actors.

The dearth of users’ feedback is the bane of improvement and popularization of NSPRI developed and designed postharvest technologies. Hence, this study sought to boost the improvement of NSPRI Technological innovations such as NSPRI Fish-Smoking-Kiln (NSK), Parabolic-Shaped Solar Dryer (PSSD), Iced Fish Box® (IFB), Hermetic Steel Drum (HSD) and Stackable-Ventilated Plastic Crate (SVPC) through feedback from the users. The study employed Interview schedule to obtain primary data from 1049 beneficiaries of NSPRI disseminated technologies purposively selected from thirteen (13) out of the twenty-four (24) States where the technologies were distributed and promoted. Descriptive statistics (frequency count, percentages, and mean) and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results revealed that HSD has the highest (27.7%) number of users, while 3.27%, 21.26%, 24.12% and 23.64 of the respondents used SVPC, IFB®, PSSD, and NSK respectively. About 41.2% and 26% of users of the SVPC and IFB® reported that the quality of commodities during transit was maintained for an average of 13 and 24 hours, respectively. The utilisation of all the technologies improved users’ income and increased their capacity to meet market demand. The majority of the users (VPC: 100%, IFB®:92.7%, NSK: 51.3%, PSSD: 74.9%, HSD: 86.9%) are willing to pay for the technology, albeit at varying amounts. Despite the relative advantages of the postharvest technologies as indicated by beneficiaries, several areas for improvement were highlighted for all the technologies except the IFB®. The NSK and IFB® had adoption rates of 56.45% and 50.22%, respectively while the PSSD, and HSD and SVPC had less than 50% adoption.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made rapid progress in recent years. Specifically, digitalization in agriculture remains one of the most important developments to meet the growing economic, ecological and social demands in the agri-food sector of developing countries. The objective of this work is to analyse the impact of AI adoption on food insecurity in Africa. Using several recent impact analysis methods, we conducted the empirical analysis on a panel of 54 African countries over the period 1990-2022. Several results emerge. First, the adoption of AI on average significantly reduces food insecurity in Africa. The application of AI in the agri-food sector helps to increase the ef iciency, productivity and resilience of food systems. Aside from the optimism of ered by the adoption and use of AI to combat food insecurity, disparities remain between countries. African countries would do well to invest more in high-tech infrastructures but also to increase the number of partnerships between African and international players to capitalise on modern technological knowledge to achieve the goal of hunger zero.

Biomass-based value web concept is becoming recognized more and more as a practical strategy for enhancing household livelihood security in sub-Saharan Africa. There is, however, little data on how it affects the livelihood security of households. Therefore, this study was conducted to further the body of evidence already available on the important impact of the biomass value web on household livelihood security in Africa as a whole and Nigeria in particular. The study's broad objective was to look at the impact of participation in maize biomass value we bon the livelihood security of farming households. A sample of 288 maize farmers in Niger and Nasarawa states of Nigeria were chosen randomly through multi-stage sampling technique, and they were then administered a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, a livelihood security analysis, and the Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) technique were the statistical methods employed for the analysis. The study found that, a unit increase in the index of maize usage brings about 10% increase in economic security (p < 0.05) and 17%increase in food security (p < 0.05) of the households. The study concluded that households that innovatively intensified usage within the maize biomass value web have improved livelihood security.

Building on the theory of perceived attributes of innovation and the economic theory of utility maximization, this study evaluates the effects of adopting area yield index-insurance (AYII) on the use of stress-tolerant maize technology. We also identify factors influencing the adoption and intensity of AYII. A stratified random sampling technique was employed in the selection of respondents. Descriptive statistics, a double hurdle model, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data collected. The descriptive statistics showed that the majority of the farmers were male, the average age was 50 and 52 for AYII adopters and non-adopters respectively, and an average farm size of 2 acres and 1.5 acres respectively for AYII adopters and non-adopters. The double hurdle model reveals that factors such as age, marital status, years of education, household size, land tenure, group membership, and training on financial innovations influenced the decision to adopt AYII while only farming experience influenced the intensity of adoption. In addition, the adoption of AYII significantly influenced the use of STM technology. It was therefore recommended that area yield index insurance be promoted through intensive awareness creation and education to ensure wider coverage and extension to other farmers beyond the study area. Similarly, training should also be organized for farmers through collaborative efforts with financial institutions regarding the use of financial institutions to enhance their smooth access to financial innovations.

In Nigeria, despite efforts to improve agricultural productivity, Postharvest Losses (PHL) continue to threaten the nutrition and livelihood security of the populace. This study was conducted to ascertain farmers’ access to resources for postharvest handling of cassava and their level of involvement in postharvest management of cassava from a gender perspective. Data were obtained through the use of a structured interview schedule from 256 smallholder cassava farmers selected using a four-stage sampling procedure involving both the simple random and stratified random sampling techniques. Descriptive and inferential (independent t-test) statistics were used in analysing the data. Findings revealed that the mean age of the female and male cassava farmers was 39 years and 42 years, respectively. Years of education were lower among female farmers 4.10 years while males had an average of 6.37 years of education. The average household size for the female respondents was nine people while the male respondent had an average of seven household members. Years of processing experience were 10.60 years for females, while males had an average of 9.26 years. Majority of the men (90.2%) and women (81.6%) had farming as their primary occupation, with farming experience of average 10.74 and 11.35 years respectively. The average farm size of females was 2.76 hectares while males had a comparatively higher 3.22 hectares of farmland. Female farmers have more access to resources for processing cassava including skills (M.S= 2.79) than male farmers with mean score of 2.44. Female farmers are more involved in Cassava postharvest management with mean score of (3.01) than male farmers with mean score of (1.71). The most severe challenges encountered by both the male and female farmers in postharvest management of cassava were inadequate modern processing equipment, inadequate technical knowledge of modern processing techniques in cases where equipment exists. Access to resources (t=7.320) and involvement (t=3.597) in postharvest management of cassava are significant. Access to resources and involvement in postharvest management of cassava between male and female smallholder farmers differ. The study recommended gender-responsive postharvest management interventions to address these differences.

The world's leading cashew nut producer, with 1,200,000 tonnes by 2022, Ivorian productivity of raw cashew nuts remains low, fluctuating between 350 and 500 kg/ha, due to poor application of good production practices. The objectives of this study are to examine the relationship between producers' perceptions and the decision to adopt good agricultural practices, and to determine the determinants of the adoption and the intensity of adoption of good agricultural practices. To this end, the probit and poisson regression models were applied to data collected from 845 cashew producers in Cote d’Ivoire. Results showed that the most widely adopted good agricultural practices were plot preparation, direct seeding, shaping pruning, firebreak strips, thinning and pruning. Estimates from the probit model show that the training of producers in the cashew technical itinerary, the supervision of producers by extension services and producers' perceptions are the main factors determining the adoption of all good agricultural practices. Results from the poisson regression and the negative binomial model show that sex, level of education, social background, training and access to extension services influence the adoption of several good agricultural practices. Policy should prioritize expanding training programs and strengthening extension services to enhance adoption of Good Agricultural Practices among cashew nut producers to improved cashew production yield in Africa.

The Cashew nut value chain contributes significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product. However, less than one-fifth of its processing capacity is currently being utilised. This qualitative study therefore examined the opportunities for innovation and social inclusion in the cashew nut value chain. Participants were drawn from Southwest Nigeria, a region known for its contributions to the cashew nut industry through production, processing, procurement and exportation activities. By means of a combination of purposive and snowballing sampling techniques, 14 key informants were identified and interviewed using a guide. Data were collected on their experience in the cashew nut value chain as well as their constraints, membership of professional associations, and the raw materials and final cashew products in their enterprises. Data were analysed thematically using NVIVO 14. The study found out that males and youths were more involved in the cashew nut value chain, creating more opportunities for female involvement. Also, there were opportunities for product and process innovation as well as forward and backward integration mechanisms to maximise the gains in the cashew nut value chain.