ABSTRACT
This study investigated the determinants of extent and intensity of improved rice variety (IRV) utilization among small-holder farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, a significant rice-producing region in the South-East. Recognizing the crucial role of IRVs in enhancing agricultural productivity, the study aimed to determine the current utilization patterns and identify factors influencing the intensity of IRV utilization. A multi-stage and purposive sampling technique was used to select 120 small-scale rice farmers (cultivating < 3 ha). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Intensity of Improved Rice Variety Utilization (IIRVU) Index. Farmers' perceptions of influencing factors were assessed using a 3-point Likert scale and mean score analysis. Results indicate a high extent of IRV utilization, with FARO 44 (86.67%), ITA 306 (73.33%), MAS 11 (68.33%), and NERICA 8 (60.33%) being the most extensively adopted and utilized varieties. FARO 44, in particular, demonstrated significant post-adoption utilization, consistent with prior research attributing its preference to early maturity and high yield potential. The average rice land area sown with IRVs was 0.78 hectares, representing 60.94% of the total rice cultivated land. This indicates a moderate intensity of IRV utilization, suggesting a substantial integration of modern rice cultivation practices, yet also highlighting continued reliance on traditional varieties. Key factors significantly influencing the intensity of IRV utilization included availability of improved seeds (mean = 2.60), farm location (mean = 2.63), quality of rice (mean = 2.48), cost of improved seeds (mean = 2.40), access to credit (mean = 2.38), and land type (mean = 2.40). The physical accessibility of seeds emerged as the most critical determinant. These findings underscore that economic and logistical challenges, rather than solely awareness, are primary impediments to increased IRV utilization. Therefore, to further enh

ABSTRACT
This study evaluated risk analysis and market participation among women cassava marketers in Anambra and Imo States, Nigeria. The objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of women cassava marketers, describe the level of market participation by women cassava marketers and analyze risk attitudes and management strategies adopted by women cassava marketers in the study area. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to collect data from 368 respondents (182 in Imo and 186 in Anambra). Data were analyzed descriptive statistics, Likert scales, and participation index. Market participation showed Imo State had a participation index of 0.40 (moderate), Anambra 0.33 (low), and pooled 0.37 (low). Imo marketers (91.21%) had high participation, compared to 72.58% in Anambra. Key marketing activities, stakeholder decision-making (µ =4.2), value addition (µ =4.0), and cooperative sales management (µ =4.3) showed high participation. Regulatory activities and committee roles also highlighted Imo’s more proactive market environment. Risk attitude result indicated Imo women marketers as more risk-taking (70.33% risk-takers) than Anambra (45.16%). Risk management strategies varied: Anambra favoured early production (µ =2.72) and selling at high prices (µ =2.59), while Imo primarily used early production (µ =3.0). Based on these findings, the study recommended the need to develop financial products and strengthen cooperative networks, improving transportation infrastructure and urban-rural linkages, tailoring extension services to risk management strategies, fostering mentorship programs within marketing associations, and promoting technology adoption and risk-smart interventions for women marketers, especially those with large households.

ABSTRACT
This study examined gender and food security status of smallholder upland and swamp rice farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. It aimed to: (i) describe the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers by gender; (ii) determine their food security status by gender; and (iii) estimate the effects of socioeconomic factors, technology gap, and economic efficiency on food security outcomes across gender and production systems. Study Design, Place, and Duration: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The study was conducted in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, between January and August 2025. Methodology: A multistage sampling technique was used to select 180 rice farmers, stratified into upland and swamp systems and by gender. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) food security index, and binary logit regression. Results: Food insecurity was widespread, with 66.7% of households classified as food insecure. Gender and system-based variations were observed: food insecurity was highest among male swamp rice farmers (85.2%), followed by female swamp (68.5%), female upland (55.6%), and male upland (47.2%) farmers. The severity index was also highest for male swamp farmers (FGT₂ = 0.180). Binary logit regression revealed significant predictors of food security: education (β = -0.534, p<0.01), farming experience (β = 0.320, p<0.05), age (β = -0.165, p<0.10), and technology gap (β = -0.026, p<0.10) for male upland farmers. For female swamp farmers, age was positive (β = 0.140, p<0.10), while farming experience (β = -0.247, p<0.05) and technology gap (β = -0.203, p<0.10) negatively affected food security. Conclusion: Food insecurity among rice farmers in Ebonyi State is alarmingly high, with significant gender and ecological system disparities. Targeted, gender-responsive interventions addressing education, technology access, and institutional barriers are vital to improving household food security in both upland and swamp rice syst

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This study examines the impact of agricultural extension services on farmers’ access to affordable agricultural inputs during economic shocks, evaluates the accessibility and effectiveness of extension services in supporting smallholder farmers amid economic disruptions, and analyzes constraints affecting extension performance in reducing the adverse effects of input inflation and unstable markets. Data were collected through structured surveys administered to a stratified random sample of 425 smallholder farmers. Sampling ensured representation across various agro-ecological zones vulnerable to economic shocks. Multiple linear regression with interaction terms revealed that extension services significantly improve access to affordable inputs (β = 0.45, p < 0.01), with stronger effects observed among farmers with higher education levels and credit access. Ordered logistic regression indicated that extension accessibility and perceived effectiveness positively influence farmers’ likelihood to adopt recommended practices during economic disruptions (OR = 1.68, p < 0.05), controlling for demographic and socio-economic factors. Factor analysis of 20 identified constraints extracted four key factors—Institutional and Staffing Constraints, Economic Constraints, Logistical Access Issues, and Policy/Input System Failures—with high loadings on variables such as lack of qualified staff (0.78), rising input prices (0.73), poor road infrastructure (0.76), and weak input supply chains (0.71). These findings highlight multifaceted barriers limiting extension service effectiveness during economic shocks. The study concludes that strengthening extension capacity, stabilizing input markets, improving rural infrastructure, and enhancing policy coordination are essential. Recommendations include investing in extension personnel, regulating input prices, expanding rural ICT and transport infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships to build resilience and ensure sustainabl

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Abstract: This study examines cassava disease detection using four convolutional neural network (CNN) models: ResNet50, InceptionV3, AlexNet, and VGG16. Cassava, a staple crop in Africa, is threatened by Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) and Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD). A dataset from the Lacuna Project, collected in Ugandan farmer fields, was used to train and evaluate these models, yielding accuracies of 90 percent, 88 percent, 85 percent, and 87 percent, respectively. A Flask web application was developed for practical deployment. This work builds on prior SVM and CNN approaches, offering a detailed comparison to enhance agricultural diagnostics for smallholder farmers.

ABSTRACT
Domestic animals are very often subject to associated hepatic parasitic infestations, the consequences of which are little known on farms. The present study, which aimed to determine the prevalence and impact of hepatic co-infestation with Fasciola gigantica and Dicrocelium dendriticum in domestic ruminants in butcheries in the Diamaré department, was conducted from January to July 2023. The livers were necropsied by incising the ventral part of the parenchyma along the hepatic and bile ducts in order to find and collect the flukes with the naked eye. Of the 800 cattle, 175 sheep and 1008 goats inspected, only cattle showed co-infestation with an overall prevalence of 4.25% which is significantly lower than that due to singular F. gigantica infestation (15.62%) and higher than that due to D. dendriticum (1.37%) (χ2=27.7; ddl=2; p < 0.000). These co-infections were higher in females (3.37%) (p<0.05), and in 6–7-year-old cattle (5.75%) (p>0.05). Their parasite densities were significantly lower than in cases of fasciolosis (24.75±18.21 flukes) but higher than in cases of dicroceliosis (8.11±6.89 flukes) (F=191.91; ddl=79; P < 0.000). The level of animal infestation was low for all types of infestation. The economic losses due to this F. gigantica/D. dendriticum co-infestation, evaluated at 7,650,000FCFA/year (12,584.25 us$), are lower than those due to single F. gigantica infestations (28,116,000FCFA/ 46,250.82 us$/year), and higher than those due to D. dendriticum (2,466,000FCFA//4,056.57 us$/year). These results show that parasitic hepatic co-infestation with F. gigantica/D. dendriticum exists and remains a serious health and economic problem.

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Abstract: The study assessed adoption of improved food barley technologies and factors determining the adoption decision of smallholder barley producers. The study employed cross-sectional data collected from major barley growing regions of Ethiopia. Tobit, Double hurdle and Multivariate probit models along with descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. According to the findings, average seed rate used was found within the rage of the national recommendation whereas inorganic fertilizers applied was lower than the recommendation. Crop rotation, inorganic fertilizers, soil and water conservation practices, herbicides, manure, improved varieties and row planting were used by 87%, 65%, 48%, 48%, 39%, 8% and 6%, of the producers respectively. The result indicated that encouraging membership of cooperatives and participation in food barley marketing, training the producers and improving access to input market helps to increase the adoption of inorganic fertilizer in food barley production. The extension system that focuses on demonstration and experience sharing helps to scale the adoption of improved food barley varieties. Improving accessibility of improved seed and fertilizer helps to increase adoption of food barley technologies. The result exhibited complementarity among adoption decision of the technologies; that suggested focusing on technology package is a favourable extension approach to enhance adoption of food barley technologies.