The study assesses the effects of labour scarcity on rice production and yield in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Survey research design was adopted; with a population of 5125 registered smallholder rice farmers, out of which 371 respondents were sampled using the multi-stage sampling strategy. The questionnaire was then used to collect data from the sample. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPPS 20.0) from which simple frequencies and percentages were presented in tables and graphs to answer the research questions. Findings indicated that scarcity of labour for rice production is caused by Farmers/Herdsmen clashes, migration due to improved education; preference for other rural jobs, drudgery of farm activities as well as lack of basic social amenities in the rural areas. The findings also revealed that labour scarcity affects rice production and yield adversely in the study area as it leads to poor rice yields, smaller sizes of rice farms, poor income, preference for other crops as well increased poverty levels.

The study examines agricultural extension services and post-harvest technology of horticultural crop produce for smallholder farmers in West Coast Region of The Gambia. The objective of the study is to examine the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in minimizing post-harvest losses of horticultural crop produce. The instruments designed to gather the primary data include; structured interview and focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interview supported by secondary data using official documents. The sample population consisted of three hundred and ninety-eight (398) respondents using a minimum sample calculation of Taro Yamane in which ten extension officers (10) and two extension agent heads (2) as key informants for a period of three months from September to November 2017. This study employs cluster, purposive and simple random sampling procedures to draw its population. The data was quantitatively analyzed using SPSS to run percentages, frequency distribution tables, t-test, chi-squared correlation test and factorial analysis. Qualitative data from the in-depth interviews and FGDs were also analyzed and presented appropriately. The findings of the study showed that extension services are not very much effective or proactive to post-harvest loss reduction in this region.  The study recommends there is the need for continued research, development and investment programme in both extension and post-harvest technologies, effective and efficient communication to the farmers, special extension agents training on post-harvest practices among others. Keywords: Agricultural Extension Services, Effectiveness, Post-Harvest Losses, Horticultural Crop Produce, Smallholder Farmer, The Gambia

Musa spp. generally known as bananas and plantains are staples to many in Africa. However, pre-harvest losses of these crops for the past two decades are alarming. The paper reveals that pre-harvest losses of bananas and plantains since 2002 ranges from 20.7-100% in Sub-Sahara Africa with most countries recording 50% losses and above. The paper further categorised the causes of pre-harvest losses of Musa spp. into natural, agronomic, biotic and human-induced constraints. Among these categories, human-induced constraints are seen to cause the highest pre-harvest losses as they influence the occurrence of other constraints. Some of the primary natural and agronomic constraints are storm, drought, and irregular/mixed cropping and over dependent on sward suckers and rainfall respectively. Fusarium wilt, Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), banana bunchy top disease, black sigatoka and cigar-end rot are some of the biotic constraints reported in most producing countries in the region. Pests such as banana weevils, nematodes, mealy-bugs and white grubs are equally identified as potential causes of Musa pre-harvest losses while some human-induced constraints are farmer-grazier conflicts, weak extension system and poor inputs. The paper revealed that in Rwanda, pre-harvest losses of bananas led to an increase (14-64%) of the number of households who were unable to eat their preferred meal in all the months of the year while in Tanzania, the food situation of 53.8% of the households were reported to be very bad. Meanwhile in Cameroon, insufficient food was reported in 81% of the producing households in Boyo Division. It is therefore, concluded that in order to minimise pre-harvest losses and enhance the food security status of the producers and consumers in the region, proper propping, pruning, crop rotation and above all integrated pest and disease management techniques should be practiced while Musa research centres should be decentralising, extension delivery systems revisited and disease-free planting materials provided to the farmers.

This study assessed the coping strategies of small holder rice farmers in the face of agricultural labour challenges in Guma local government area of Benue state, Nigeria. Literature was reviewed to ascertain the results of other scholars across the globe on the various strategies that farmers have used to cope with the challenge of labour scarcity in agriculture. This study adopted a survey research design with a population of 5125 small holder rice farmers, out of whom 371 respondents were determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. These respondents were sampled using a multi-stage sampling strategy (simple and purposive random sampling techniques). Pre-tested and well structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 26.0); frequencies and percentages derived were presented in tables and a bar chart. Study findings indicated that the farmers adopt coping strategies such as the intense use of family labour; increased use of chemicals; preference for other crops (such as cassava, sweet potatoes and vegetables); importation of labour from other regions; marrying more wives and leasing out fadama (swampy and fertile) land. The study concluded that, the coping strategies adopted are not viable and sustainable in the 21st century; and thus recommended that the task of overcoming agricultural labour scarcity must not be left in the hands of the rural farmers alone; all stakeholders must be actively involved in finding sustainable coping strategies which must include mechanization of farms.

The study attempts to look at the role of Agricultural Extension Services in the improvement of vegetable production. Six vegetables schemes in Western Region of the Gambia for agricultural extension support and non- agricultural extension services support schemes were selected. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select sixty women producers for all the six garden schemes and three Agricultural Extension Agents. Majority of the respondents highlighted inadequate water/irrigation facilities, high cost of farm inputs/implements and, pests and diseases as the major constraints to production especially the non- vegetable support schemes. Occasional glut of vegetables in the market, in adequate transport, inadequate storage facilities and limited marketing outlets were marketing constraints which have adversely affected their production and income level. The authorities and Ministry of Agriculture should double efforts to enhance the number and capacity of Agricultural Extension Services for the successful dissemination of production technologies to non- vegetable support schemes, so that production and income can be improved.