Climate variability is one of the predominant themes in agricultural research. Climate variations can seriously affect agricultural production. It brings about changes in weather patterns which in turn give rise to imbalances in seasonal cycles, harm to ecosystems and water supply affecting agriculture and food production. Extreme weather events such as floods, landslides and drought are caused by climate variation. Studies have shown that root crops such as cassava are most vulnerable to the impact of climate variability. This paper therefore investigated the perceived effects of climate variability on cassava production among small scale farmers in Anambra State. Specifically, the study described the socioeconomic characteristics of small scale cassava farmers in the state; identified the activities of small scale cassava farmers that contribute to climate variability; and ascertained the perception and levels of awareness of climate variability by small scale cassava farmers in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting the sample units for the study. The instrument for data collection was a well-structured questionnaire based on the objectives. Descriptive statistics was used to actualize the objectives while the hypothesis was tested using multiple linear regression model. The result of the socioeconomic variables showed that majority of the small-scale cassava farmers were within the age range of 41-50 years; majority (59.38 %) of the respondents were females; majority (32.03%) have 7 to 11 years of farming experience; majority of the respondents (35.94 %) have farm size of 0.1 to 0.5 hectares; majority of the farmers (42.19 %) belong to 3 to 4 farming organizations; majority of the farmers (42.19 %) make  income of ₦50,000 to ₦100,000; and majority of the farmers (53.13 %) produce  yield of 3000 to 4000 kg of cassava. Result of the activities of small scale cassava farmers that contribute to climate variability show that majority of the farmers (88.28 %) perceived that bush burning contribute to climate variability while (82.03%), (60.16%), (56.25%) and (50.78%) indicated that intensive agricultural land use, use of inorganic fertilizers, use of fossil fuels and deforestation contribute also to climate variability, respectively. Based on the perception and level of awareness of climate variability by small scale cassava farmers in the study area, the result show that the farmers were significantly aware of the following climate variability; early onset of rainfall and early cessation; decreased rainfall days; shorter than normal rainfall; absence of frost; low intensity rainfall; flash flooding; unusual patterns of precipitation and high sunshine intensity. It was also found that significant relationship exists between socio-economic characteristics and production level by the small scale cassava farmers. Recommendations were made based on the findings.

This study uses structural equation modelling (SEM) and path diagram techniques to examine challenges faced by women in the agricultural sector cooperatives in Southeast Nigeria. The data are from a cross-section survey of randomly selected women cooperative members. Results suggest that women with poor economic status are less likely to have access to improved technology, labour, offfarm employment, and improved infrastructure. We found that cultural factors increase women's failure to own land, farm inputs, and agricultural credit. Additionally, the results show that compared to men, institutional factors increase women's unequal access to extension training as well as their domestic workload. We also found that older women face fewer challenges in the agricultural sector cooperatives than younger ones while more educated ones face more challenges. This study provides useful policy insights to mitigate the challenges women face in agricultural cooperatives. Most importantly, we argue that economic freedom among women in cooperatives may not be achieved unless they are emancipated from existing cultural, economic, institutional, and management constraints.

The study analyzed the production input allocation and the performance benchmark of rice farms in Anambra State, Nigeria. Efforts at improving farm management and production notwithstanding, more is yet to be achieved in that regard in Anambra State and Nigeria at large.  Past studies concentrated on areas like profitability, resources and production efficiency with little or no focus on benchmarking the production and the pattern of input mix. To achieve the broad objective, four (4) specific objectives were outlined thus: (i) categorized production input patterns based on farm performance and based on expenses (iii) determined a performance standard/ benchmark from the category after identifying the existing standard, (iii) identified the diverse effect of production inputs cost on rice farm output for different production levels, and (v) identify the causal factors of difference in farm performance in the study area.  A multi-staged sampling technique was employed in the selection of 120 farms. The study utilized primary data generated by the researcher using structured and pretested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, net farm income, quantile regression and ANOVA were used for the analysis of the primary data gotten through the administration of a structured questionnaire. The 120 farms were grouped as top performers (40), average performers (40) and below average performers (40). The top performing farms had an average net farm income of N340,305 while the average farms and below average farms had N207,567 and N92,258, respectively. The benchmark standard for rice farms in Anambra State was N390, 500. The basic effects of the cost variables on the farm performance as identified with the quantile regression was that the higher the net farm income, the better the opportunities available to increase performance. The major causal factor of differences in farm outcome were, financial constraints, managerial ability, level of input utilization at the farm level, size of farm, high cost of inputs, pests and diseases, and seasonal variation or climate change. The ANOVA result showed that mean expenditures was not significantly different. The study therefore, recommended that cost management and better production instructions should be taken seriously by the extension agents and government should subsidize agricultural inputs for farmers.

Funding of Ebonyi State Nigeria Agricultural Public Extension Service in a deregulated economy was studied. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; identify the major recommended packages/technologies and services extended to the farmers and examine the trend in the funding of agricultural extension services from 2001 to 2010. A total of 240 contact farmers were selected using a multistage random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that majority (65.42%) of the respondents were males; had a mean age of 49 years, married; had a relatively large household size of 8 persons; and relatively low educational status. Average farm holding was 0.90 ha and personal savings were the major sources of farm finance. Government funding of the agricultural public extension dwindled throughout the period with budget estimate at the peak of N220.4 m recorded in 2013 and the lowest of about N69.3 m in 2001, whereas the highest actual expenditure was about N99.5 m in 2010 and the lowest amount of about N37.1 m was also recorded in 2009. A big difference between the budget estimate and actual expenditure was observed in 2009 with a budget deficit of about 46.5%. The amount farmers were willing to pay for extension services was not also stable with the highest amount of about N9.2 m in 2005 and least amount of N800,000.00 in 2003. The amount expended by government was higher than the amount farmers are willing to pay with 98.2% difference in 2004. The study indicated that the proportion of farmers willing to pay for extension services is low. This could lead to reduced adoption and utilization of improved technologies and decline in farmers’ and farm productivity in a deregulated economy. Recommendations such as educating farmers on cost of extension services and the need for their contribution, backing up extension services with interest free loans, deregulating extension services in a gradual process and in phases, and improving the country’s educational system were made among others.