Conference Agenda

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.