This study ascertained the correlates of extension workers job performance and socioeconomic variables in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study utilized both primary and secondary data collected using a structured questionnaire. The sample size comprised 86 respondents, which included 56 extension agents, 14 Block Extension Agents, 14 Block Extension Supervisors and 2 Zonal Extension Officers. Data analyses involved descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means and inferential statistics such as multiple regression analysis. A null hypothesis was tested at 5% level of significance. The result of the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents show that majority 50%, 35.7% and 44.6% of BESs, BEAs and EAs fall within active economic and productive age bracket of 35-44 years; while the ZEOs were between 45-54 years. Most of the ZEOs (100%), BESs (85.7%) and EAs (48.2%) were males; except among BEAs where majority (80%) were females. Greater proportion of 78.57%, 54.29% and 53.6% of BESs, BEAs and EAs were polytechnics and university graduates; who had worked for between 5-9 years with percentage values of 57.14%, 64.3% and 83.93% respectively. But, ZEOs had higher years of working experience of 15-19 and 20-24 years respectively. From the criteria considered, linear functional form was chosen as the lead equation; from where a high coefficient of multiple determinations R2 of 88.8% which showed a variation in the job performance of the extension workers due to their socioeconomic characteristics was obtained. All the independent variables regressed where positively signed; while education and working experience where statistically significant at 1% and 5% levels respectively. The null hypothesis tested was rejected; which shows that the socioeconomic characteristics of the field extension workers greatly influenced their job performance in the study area. This study had shown that the socioeconomic attributes of extension workers greatly influenced their job performance in the study area. Extension Agents in the study area should be encouraged to further education as education was positively related to their job performance. Regular in-service training and short courses should be arranged for extension workers to create better awareness and upgrade their skills and knowledge in extension services delivery. More female extension workers should be employed and trained to improve their job performance in women in Agricultural activities.

Increasing production and productivity of agriculture in general and root and tuber crops in particular require a strong linkage between the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. The growing in agriculture sector does not occur without non-agricultural sectors. The major root and tuber crops production and productivity in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia is very low in relation to the land coverage under the crops, due to poor and under recommended rate of improved agricultural technology utilization and low skill of management and related practices by the producers. To solve these root and tuber related problems and increase the production and productivity of the crops, strong and result based farmers training centers and interlinked research extension system are important and strongly interconnected . This study was conducted in five districts of South Omo Zone namely Debub Ari from agricultural based, Malle and Bena-Tsemay from agro-pastoral, Hammer, and Dasenech from pastoral. The districts are selected purposively based on root and tuber crop production potential. The result shows that the area coverage, production and productivity of the major root and tuber crops decreases from time to time and their diseases and pests increases thoroughly. Farmers in the study area should use disease resistance varieties and the production inputs at a recommended rate and time. The major root and tuber crops that are grown in the study area are sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), potato (Solanum tuberosum), cassava (Manihot esculenta), taro (Colocasia esculenta), and enset (Ensete ventricosum).

Sesame is the main cash crop in Ethiopia and it is mainly produced in northern and southern part of the country especially South Omo Zone. In the zone sesame is highly produced, but it production is not known regionally and at a country level. So this study was aimed to research sesame value chain of the Zone. Simple descriptive statistics and value chain approach were employed for data analysis during this study. It attempts to deal with mapping and identifying sesame value chain actors and their roles, examines marketing channel, cost margin structure and assessing challenges and opportunities within the study area. The results of the study indicated that out 5589.3 quintals were supplied to markets for various actors and five alternative marketing channels were identified to transact the sesame product through intermediaries. The most important volume of sesame (4900.8 quintals) was marketed through channel V and the lowest volume in channel I. producers get the highest share in channel IV and the lowest in channel II. Barriers to entry traders into the market are that the capital requirement and therefore the wholesalers govern by volume transacted and internal control criteria within the market. Fertile land and high demand for the product were essential opportunity. Pests and disease, Low level of input utilization, Shortage of input supply and high price of inputs were the challenges of sesame production whereas lack of market information, price variability, delay of buyers, low bargaining power and poor product quality were the challenges sesame marketing.

A survey was conducted in Dasenech and Benna-Tsemay districts of the South Omo zone of Southern Ethiopia, with the objectives of identifying determinants of WTP for Rangeland rehabilitation in Pastoral and agro pastoral area, to estimate the economic value of range lands in pastoral & agro pastoral areas and to identify major constraints facing pastoral and agro pastoral in the study areas. The information was gathered through group discussions and using a structured questionnaire. The major livestock production constraints were drought, feed and water shortage and animal health problems. There are no range improvement practices undertaken to improve the condition of the rangelands. Mobility is the first measure taken to solve shortage of livestock feed and water but many of the pastoralists replied that they face many problems during migrations. In conclusion, the indigenous knowledge of the pastoralists about range-livestock management and their environment should be incorporated while planning range-livestock development projects for the study districts.

The Ethiopian government has a package of encouraging youths to participate in small and micro agricultural enterprises by giving legal certificate for youths who were organized in-group to start the business by providing financial supports in terms of credit. However, youths are less willing to participate in agricultural enterprises. Even after being organized into groups and having supports from government, some of them were not starting the business and some were interrupting the business they have been organized. Due to these, huge amount of money from the government, which was allocated for this purpose, is not being used as expected. Therefore, this study was intended to assess factors affecting rural and peri-urban youth participation in agricultural enterprises in Bena-Tsemay and Debubi Ari woreda of south omo zone. Two-stage sampling technique was used to select 155 sample households. Logit model was used to analyze determinants of youth's participation in agricultural enterprises. The result of this study indicated that 32.3% respondents were participated and 67.7% were not participated in enterprises. Econometric results revealed that variables such as farm size, institutional capacity building, and weather road significantly affected youths’ participation in agricultural enterprises at 1% and 5% significance level. The study recommends that the provision of land for the agricultural enterprises should consider the size/type of the enterprises that youth are willingness to participate. The government should specify the institution/sector to enterprise type and consideration of all-weather roads for each enterprise type during organizing youth in different agricultural enterprises is important. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(1): 84-93, June 2022