The purpose of this study was to analyse rural farm households’ access to formal agricultural credit in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa state, Nigeria. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the primary data collected using structured questionnaire (from 140 rural farming households). Findings from the study have shown that, 90 % of the respondents were male, mostly educated (70 %) and married (89 %) engaging in farming as their primary livelihood activity (about 81 %) with an average farm size of 2.47 hectares. The result of the binary logit regression has shown that level of education and income do influence access to credit positively, while age and distance to access point negatively influence respondents’ access to formal credit. The study further revealed that, lack of acceptable collateral / security, high interest rates, low financial literacy, and complex banking procedures were the main factors that limits the respondents’ access to credit facility from formal sources. In order for farmers to have an improved access to formal credits, the formation of strong groups that are viable to provide the needed capital is encouraged, banking operations should be simplified to suite farmers’ needs / convenience and financial literacy among farmers should be improved through awareness campaigns (in agricultural extension packages).

Information is a critical factor in the farming business as the survival of the participants relies on their ability to access innovations and meet the dynamic challenges of the sector. This study analysed the information needs of poultry farmers in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, and a multistage sampling technique to collect data (from 113 poultry farmers) for the study. Descriptive statistics, a three-point rating scale, and the Ordinary Least Square regression model were used to analyse the data collected. The findings of the study indicated that the prominent information sources among the farmers were: the internet, acquaintances/friends, and radio. Similarly, the study revealed that the respondents require information on various aspects of poultry production. Based on the results, age, household size, educational level, and membership in association negatively influence poultry farmers’ information needs, whereas gender, farm size, and farming experience have shown a positive influence on the farmers’ information needs. Hence, the study emphasised the need for the government and other actors in the agricultural sector to employ and also motivate agricultural extension workers to widen the scope of their reach using the internet.

The study assessed disease management and biosecurity measures among poultry farmers in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study identified the prevalent poultry diseases and parasites in the study area, assessed disease management and biosecurity measures, and also identified the constraints limiting poultry production among the farmers. Multistage sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 113 poultry farmers using a structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and a four-point Liker-scale. Findings of the study revealed that Salmonellosis, Coccidiosis, and Newcastle Disease were the most common diseases in the area. Similarly, regular change of litter, consistent washing of drinkers/feeders, and also cleaning of the surroundings of the poultry house were the common biosecurity measures among in the area. Foremost among these constraints affecting the farmers were; extreme weather conditions, high cost of feed and other inputs, and inadequate capital and/or credit. Key among the recommendations was the need for the employment of more agricultural extension agents in the area.