CHARITY ATOMA - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by CHARITY ATOMA

This study appraises the functionality of extension activities among rice farmers in Delta State,... more This study appraises the functionality of extension activities among rice farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. Both purposive and random sampling techniques were used to generate a sample size of 140 respondents. Results revealed that the majority of respondents (> 90%) got information from fellow farmers and cooperative members. It was also discovered that members were satisfied with annual meetings (x̄ = 3.50), monthly contributions (x̄ = 3.47), interest rate (x̄ = 3.21), loan payback (x̄ = 3.21), partnerships with other cooperatives (x̄ = 3.20), training sessions (x̄ = 3.19) and joint farm maintenance (x̄ = 2.90). The chi-square test revealed that significant differences occurred between age and constraints (x̄ = 12.76; p < 0.05). It was concluded that majority of the perceived limitations confronting extension activities must have dwindled their efforts and resulted in their poor functionalities. It is recommended that there should be sustainable practice of extension workers' capacity building, particularly in rice production. Contribution/Originality: The study was able to assess how cooperative members organize periodic training sessions for themselves instead of depending on the extension workers from the government. Commendable self-help efforts by farmers and cooperative management techniques.

The study entitled rural youth empowerment: a panacea to rural-urban drift in Ethiope-East Area o... more The study entitled rural youth empowerment: a panacea to rural-urban drift in Ethiope-East Area of Delta State, Nigerians was carried out to x-ray the available economic opportunities for empowering rural youths to curb migration to the city. A purposive random sampling technique was used to select youths from communities with high number of youths who often travel. A sample size of 150 youths was selected and data collected using questionnaire were analyzed using frequency counts, mean and percentages presented on tabular form. The major findings reveals that lack of employment opportunities, lack of social amenities, absence of industries, boredom in agriculture are the reasons for rural-urban drift. The result reveals also that low agricultural productivity or output, overcrowding, slow down of rural development projects, loosening of family bonds, increase crime are the major effects of rural urban drift. To curb rural-urban drift, it was revealed that basic social amenities be provided, quality of education improved, creation of credit and loan schemes, access to productive resources, access to information, industrial modernization, health and nutrition education, access to cooperative/local youth organization and entrepreneurial activities. The above implies that our rural areas could be haven of peace and economic activities, should right facilities be provided.

Migration from rural to urban areas is increasingly becoming an important livelihood strategy. Pe... more Migration from rural to urban areas is increasingly becoming an important livelihood strategy. People, including agricultural and farm workers move in search of better life or pay. This exodus is not without its challenges and associated problems on people and even food security. This study assesses a much neglected aspect of migration studies-that is on women farmers whose husbands leave home to look for more money and economic opportunities. The study seeks to find out the reasons for migration to urban areas; effects of such male movement on women left behind, the coping strategies used by these women to survive their husband's absence. The study interviewed 120 rural women farmers, whose husbands are not at home in search of better payment. Majority of the women met are in their early 50s and sixties (More than 50%). They have small land area for farming 0.25-1 hectare as indicted by 77.5% of the respondents. The reasons cited for migrating to urban areas or vice versa include rural poverty (100%), risky nature of crop production, rural unemployment, land shortages, poor infrastructure, low crop productivity and others. This exodus has effects on women farmers left behind as it has increased the workload or burden of the women, changes in traditional tasks, adjustments in family roles, declining agricultural productivity and over absence of proper child care. To cope, the women depend on remittances from their husbands, frequent communication, sending their children to live with relatives and many others. To improve the status of these women, education, training and access to production resources such as land be granted the women by governments at all levels.

The authors thank the academic staff of the various institutions used for their assistance in col... more The authors thank the academic staff of the various institutions used for their assistance in collecting quality data. We also appreciate the chief editor of AESON journal and all those who painstakingly reviewed the article to its present status. Authors' contributions: ACN (40%) Conceptualization, analyzed data, wrote the draft manuscript and carried out the editorial work of the manuscript. AOM (45%) Conceptualization, supervised the entire research process, coordinated data collection, analyzed data and grammar editing. MEC (15%) Data collection and wrote the original draft manuscripts.

The business of farming and agriculture in general is very risky. The risks may be as a result of... more The business of farming and agriculture in general is very risky. The risks may be as a result of man-made or natural causes. Farmers or agricultural producers are at the receiving end of the outcome of the risks. Agricultural producers need to be helped in the face of these risks occurring at an unpredictable time. The help farmers need to cope is the crux of this study-Extension services. This study examined the services agricultural extension render to manage these risks. The study looked at the demographic characteristics of respondents, risks faced by respondents, information risk areas, management of these risks and role extension play for managing risks. A total of 130 farmers were selected purposively from ADP list of registered farmers. Questionnaires were used to get information from the farmers. Majority (43.7%) of the farmers are within the active age of farming. They al receive extension visits, 49.2% have secondary education, 40% have 0.25-1 hectare of farmland. They face risks such as bad weather, pests and diseases outbreaks, fire outbreaks, flooding, financial and credit risks among others. To manage risks, extension provide information, share knowledge, link farmers to input points, educate and train farmers , build capacity, reduce vulnerability, support farmers organizations and others. The respondents also diversify crops, practice mixed cropping, share cropping, migrate to other areas, reallocated labour and store enough for used during difficult times.

Land is a vital resource for rural and urban livelihoods in Africa. It is a critical asset in the... more Land is a vital resource for rural and urban livelihoods in Africa. It is a critical asset in the gross domestic product of African countries who depend mainly on agriculture for their survival. Anyone who is denied access to land has been denied life, wealth, prestige and identity. One group that is denied access to, and control over landed property are the women. Since land is a fundamental resource for improving living conditions and economic empowerment, the lack of land rights for women undermines efforts to promote gender equality and equity within a patriarchal system. But women"s right to land in Africa have been affected by a convergence of government policies related to the current shift towards greater commercialization and competition for land, and on the other hand by discriminatory customary laws. This paper points out that women"s economic empowerment is essential in promoting equality between men and women and also a precondition for sustainable development and propoor growth. Women"s economic empowerment can be achieved through equal access to and control over economic resources and opportunities and the elimination of structural gender inequalities. Women"s unequal access to land and property is a key obstacle to women"s economic empowerment, poverty reduction and achievement of household food security. To correct the imbalance created by both customary lands and skewed statutory regulations, there should be a gender sensitive land legislation aimed at promoting the course of women farmers. Women should also participate in the process of land policy formulation, which will give them a voice in the development process. Community level involvement of all local leaders, groups and stakeholders should be encouraged to support the course of women farmers.

There are wide range of agricultural based practices and technologies for increased food producti... more There are wide range of agricultural based practices and technologies for increased food production and adaptive capacity of the food production system capable of reducing emissions and enhance carbon storage. These practices, are termed climate smart practices. This study investigated these practices and the challenges faced by rural farm families in practicing these activities. A simple random selection of 105 farmers from a list by the extension agents in Owerri agricultural zone was done and questionnaires were distributed. Data gathered were analysed descriptively. Results showed that the farmers (47.6%) have small holdings (land) and are mostly crop famers with large family size (7-10 members). Their climate-smart practices include cover cropping, crop rotation, intercropping, mixed cropping, cultural pest management among others. Rural farm families face challenges such as high cost of land, communal land tenure system and low income of farmers. We recommend that governments at all levels reform the current land tenure system to make access to enterprising farmers and loan opportunities be given small holder farmers.

Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 2015

The past decade has been characterized by public concern over nutrition, health and food safety i... more The past decade has been characterized by public concern over nutrition, health and food safety issues. Consumers perceive high risk associated with the consumption of conventionally grown produce. Organic farming is beneficial because it is a source of healthy food and healthy living. The United Nations regards organic agriculture as an effective strategy for mitigating climate change and building robust soils. This study assessed use, challenges and strategies for improving organic farming practices. Delta State was selected from the six states that make up south south Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty farmers from the list of registered crop farmers with the Delta State Agricultural Development Programme. Only three organic farming practices are being used – animal manure, tillage, and organic fertilizer. Out of the twenty-one constraints outlined in the study, sixteen were acknowledged as constraints with mean scores of 2.50 and abo...

Organic Agriculture, 2020

Comparative analysis of organic farming practices among farmers in South-South, Nigeria, was carr... more Comparative analysis of organic farming practices among farmers in South-South, Nigeria, was carried out. A review of previous studies on organic farming practices showed that little effort has been made by researchers to capture South-South agricultural zone. There is scarcely any empirical data on organic farming practices used by crop, livestock, and fish farmers in the study area. This has created a gap in knowledge which the outcome of this study intends to bring out. This study did not only determine whether there is difference in organic farming practices among farmers in the different states under study but assessed the farmers level of awareness and use of organic farming practices, and relationship between the level of use of organic farming practices and the farmers' socioeconomic characteristics. Multistage random selection technique was used to select rural household farmers engaged in fish, livestock, and crop production. A sample of four hundred and eighty farmers was used. Organic farming practices among crop farmers included the use of farmyard manure (x = 2.79), inter cropping (x = 2.58), mulching (x = 2.50), and spot bush burning (x = 2.50). The organic farming practices among livestock farmers were access to fresh drinking water (x = 2.77) and adequate feeding (x = 2.65). Fish farmers engaged in the use of three organic practices: eco-friendly design (x = 2.56), site being far from polluting substances (x = 2.57) and pond protection from predators (x = 2.70). There were significant differences in the farmers' level of use of organic farming practices based on their states of origin (Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta). Education, age, and income were the socioeconomic determinants of the level of use of organic farming practices. It was concluded that farmers' in Akwa Ibom state engaged more in the use of organic farming practices, followed by Bayelsa state and the least is Delta state. Keywords Organic farming practices. Crop. Livestock. Fish. Rural household Org. Agr.

Comparative analysis of organic farming practices amongst farmers in South –South Nigeria was car... more Comparative analysis of organic farming practices amongst farmers in South –South Nigeria was carried out. Multistage random selection technique was employed to select rural households engaged in fish, livestock and crop production Organic farming practices amongst crop farmers were the use of farmyard manure, intercropping, mulching and spot bush burning. Among livestock farmers were access to fresh drinking water and adequate feeding. Out of the fourteen practices outlined, fish farmers engaged in the use of three of such practices - eco-friendly design, site is far from polluting substances and pond protection from predators. There was significant difference in the farmers’ level of use of organic farming practices based on their states of origin (Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta). It was concluded that farmers’ in Akwa-Ibom state make use of organic farming practices best, followed by Bayelsa state and the least is Delta state

The paper focused on the use of organic farming practices amongst fish farmers in South-South Nig... more The paper focused on the use of organic farming practices amongst fish farmers in South-South Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used and three states (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta) were randomly selected from the six states that make up South-South zone in Nigeria. Data for the study was obtained with a structured questionnaire administered to a sample size of one hundred and fifteen (115) fish farmers. Findings revealed that fish farmers were aware of six out of the fourteen organic farming practices listed. Use level was low in organic farming practices for fish. The result revealed that out of the fourteen (14) practices outlined, fish farmers engaged in the use of three of such practices. Farmers agreed to the use of eco-friendly design (x = 2.56 and SD = 0.86), site is far from polluting substances (x = 2.57 and SD =1.01) and pond protection from predators ((x ) = 2.70 and SD = 0.89). From the result, the following were considered not being used; Management without gr...

Multifunctionality and Impacts of Organic Agriculture [Working Title], 2019

To provide solutions to the issues of climate change, food insecurities, environmental degradatio... more To provide solutions to the issues of climate change, food insecurities, environmental degradation, food safety and sustainability in production, organic farming was developed as opposed to the conventional method of farming which involved the use of synthetic fertilizers and other agro-chemicals. The objectives of the study was to determine the level of awareness of organic farming practices and to determine the use and level of use of organic farming practices among livestock and fish farmers in the study area. Multistage sampling techniques were employed. Primary data was collected through structured questionnaire. Sample size comprised of 115 fish farmers and 99 livestock farmers which made a total of 214 rural farmers. Results showed that fish farmers were more aware of organic farming practices relative to livestock farmers. Also, fish farmers used more of organic farming methods for fishing activities than livestock farmers. However, the level of awareness and level of use of organic farming practices was low for both farmers. Therefore, it was recommended that extension campaign on organic farming sensitization should be increased.

Sustainability

The development of certified organic agriculture in Africa has been partly impeded by limited sou... more The development of certified organic agriculture in Africa has been partly impeded by limited sound science-based information to tackle multifarious challenges facing the subsector along the value chains. Robust and well-articulated research strategies are key to driving this desired development. Therefore, a case study was carried out to appraise the science track of the last four African Organic Conferences (AOCs) with a view to identifying the direction of research activities in the continent across the regions and suggest areas presently being overlooked. Out of the 251 research papers evaluated, the majority were dealing with agronomy (41.4%) and socioeconomic (16.3%) aspects during the four editions of AOC. Research areas largely overlooked include organic aquaculture, policy issues, standards and certification, cross-disciplinary and participatory research methods, health and safety of organic products and research methodology. Papers presented at the AOCs were spread across ...

Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 2015

Organic Agriculture, 2020

Multifunctionality and Impacts of Organic Agriculture [Working Title], 2019

Sustainability