Adeloye K.A.

Effect of Leventis Foundation Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme on Trainees’ Food Output in Osun State, Nigeria

K.A. Adeloye, A.O. Ajayi, A.O. Sotomi

ABSTRACT. The study assessed the effect of Leventis Foundation Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme (LFYAEP) on trainees’ food output in Osun State, Nigeria. A total of 248 ex-trainees of LFYAEP were selected and interviewed in the study area through a systematic random sampling technique using list of Leventis Foundation Agricultural School, Ilesa ex-trainees between the year 2010 and 2017 as sample frame. Data collected were presented using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean age of the respondents was 30.0±6.2 and their farming experience was 7.2±4.4. About 74.7 and 77.6% got information about the empowerment through their community leaders and media respectively; also, they all participated to better their lot in life. In addition, there were high knowledge and skill proficiency in all the farm enterprises engaged in after the empowerment. Furthermore, the respondents recorded increased food output in all the farm enterprises engaged in after the empowerment. The findings revealed that at p< 0.05, respondents’ reasons for participation (χ2 = 31.612) had significant association with their food output. Furthermore, at p< 0.05, farming experience (r = 0.483), age (r = 0.322), years of formal education (r = 0.153), knowledge possessed (r = 0.148) and skill proficiency (r = 0.221) of respondents had significant relationship with their food output. Finally, there was significant difference between food output before and after the empowerment (F = 65.59). The study concludes that there was a significant improvement in the quantity and quality of food produced by the ex-trainees after the empowerment programme. It was recommended that similar empowerment should be put in place for all youth to enhance productivity. Keywords: food security; farm management; ex-trainees.

read more

Participation of rural women in exploitation of non-timber forest products as a means of sustainable livelihood in southwestern Nigeria

O.A. Bamiwuye, B.O. Adisa, K.A. Adeloye, M. Famakinwa

ABSTRACT. The study examined the participation of rural women in exploitation of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), as a means of sustainable livelihood in Southwestern Nigeria. A number of 320 respondents were interviewed through pre-tested structured interview schedule in the four purposively selected forest reserves using a multistage sampling procedure. Data collected were presented using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean age and mean year of experience in NTFPs exploitation were 40.9 ± 11.5 years and16.4±3.4 years, respectively. NTFPs participated by the respondents in the study area were palm fruits, vegetables, snails and fire wood among others. Actor categories identify in the NTFPs business chain were collectors, processors, traders among others. In addition, majority of the respondents show willingness to continue in NTFPs exploitation irrespective of alternative livelihood. The findings revealed that age (t=2.39), number of hours of collection per week (t=3.48), years of experience of NTFPs exploitation (t= -3.88) and external orientation (t=2.20) of respondents significantly contributed to their participation in NTFPs exploitation. The study concludes that participation in NTFPs exploitation by the respondents was moderate. It was recommended that more enlightenment programmes should be organized by relevant stakeholders for the rural women to create awareness on the income generation opportunities that abound in the NTFPs activities.

Keywords: socioeconomic variables; tropical forest; income generating activities; forest resources.

read more