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Research Article
Assessment of the Challenges Faced by Small-Scale Poultry Farmers in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria
Paul Chidubem Okoye
,
Victor Uzochukwu Uchemba*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
202-216
Received:
3 October 2025
Accepted:
13 October 2025
Published:
12 November 2025
Abstract: This study assessed the challenges faced by small-scale poultry farmers in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, with a focus on their socioeconomic characteristics, perceived benefits of poultry farming, constraints encountered, and potential solutions. A multistage random sampling technique was employed to select 50 respondents across 4 villages. The findings revealed that the average poultry farmer was 36 years old, predominantly (54.00%) female, the majority (58.00%) were married, and had a primary education. Most respondents had 11 years of experience in poultry farming. The majority (62.00%) belonged to cooperatives, and the majority (60.00%) had access to credit facilities. Poultry farming was largely (58.00%) commercial, with a mean household size of 7 persons. An average contact with an extension agent occurred 7 times per annum, and an average of 118 birds were stocked. An average monthly income of ₦147,848.00 was realized. A greater proportion (34.00%) of cockerels were the most commonly raised birds, and a greater proportion (30.00%) of free-range systems were used in the study area. Key benefits identified included improved diets, meat and egg production, livelihood support, manure generation, and income enhancement. However, serious constraints such as high feed and labour costs, fluctuating market prices, and pest and disease outbreaks were reported. Proposed solutions centred on stabilizing market prices and improving feed quality. The study concludes that poultry farming plays a vital role in rural livelihoods and food security. It recommends government intervention through feed subsidies, market regulation, and enhanced veterinary services to mitigate the impact of pests and diseases.
Abstract: This study assessed the challenges faced by small-scale poultry farmers in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, with a focus on their socioeconomic characteristics, perceived benefits of poultry farming, constraints encountered, and potential solutions. A multistage random sampling technique was employed to select 50 respo...
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Research Article
Extension Programmes and Rural Livelihoods Under Climate Change: Evidence from Rice and Cassava Farmers in South East Nigeria
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
217-231
Received:
18 November 2025
Accepted:
6 December 2025
Published:
29 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijaas.20251106.12
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Abstract: This study effectively assesses climate change, extension, and rural livelihoods in South East Nigeria. Its clear objectives, specifically examined the socioeconomic characteristics of rice and cassava respondents involved in IFAD-assisted VCDP, identified the livelihoods available to the respondents, examined the adaptive strategies available to cushion the effect of climate change, and determined the constraints to rice and cassava production in the areas. An appropriate multistage sampling design, combining purposive and random sampling techniques, was used to select 300 rice and cassava farmers. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Analysis combines descriptive statistics, coding, thematic interpretation, and an inferential t-test. The study revealed that female respondents (54.7%) dominated the area, with an average age of approximately 41 years; the majority (50.3%) were single, the majority (51.7%) had a formal education, and the mean farming experience was 10 years. The mean contact with extension agents per annum was approximately 8 times; a greater proportion (24.7%) were producers & marketers. The mean rice production was 9.94 tonnes, and the mean cassava production was 41.44 tonnes of cassava. The majority (53.7%) agree that their primary livelihood is rice and cassava processing. The adaptation strategies to climate change were: the use of improved rice & cassava varieties, the timing of planting, and rice bunding. The main constraints were the high cost of labour, the high cost of transportation, and bad roads. The study demonstrates that participation in an extension programme significantly improved the livelihoods of rice and cassava farmers in South East Nigeria. It is recommended that policy interventions prioritize reducing labour and transportation costs, improving rural road infrastructure, strengthening input supply systems, reforming land tenure to enhance access, expanding affordable credit facilities, and addressing insecurity to foster resilience and sustainable agricultural development.
Abstract: This study effectively assesses climate change, extension, and rural livelihoods in South East Nigeria. Its clear objectives, specifically examined the socioeconomic characteristics of rice and cassava respondents involved in IFAD-assisted VCDP, identified the livelihoods available to the respondents, examined the adaptive strategies available to c...
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Research Article
Climate Change and Impact Analysis of Winter Wheat Overwintering Period in Changji City in Recent 30 Years
Jian Yong-mei*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
232-238
Received:
2 December 2025
Accepted:
12 December 2025
Published:
29 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijaas.20251106.13
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Abstract: Changji City is located in the main producing area of winter wheat in Xinjiang. It is of great significance to study and analyze the regional climate change and its impact on the overwintering period of winter wheat for making full use of the ratio of light, heat and water resources and developing grain production according to local conditions. The data of national meteorological station and the observation data of winter wheat development period in Changji City from 1995 to 2024 were selected. The linear regression equation, climate tendency rate, Mann-Kendall and Pearson correlation coefficient method were used to analyze the variation characteristics of average temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, precipitation, sunshine hours, ≥0°C accumulated temperature and other climatic factors during the overwintering period of winter wheat in Changji City, and to judge the key climatic factors affecting the overwintering period of winter wheat. The results showed that: (1) During the overwintering period of winter wheat in Changji City, the daily average temperature, daily maximum temperature and daily minimum temperature all showed a significant downward trend, and the downward rates were 1.3, 0.5 and 2.2°C/10a, respectively. The downward trend of precipitation was not significant, and the changes of sunshine hours and ≥0°C accumulated temperature were not obvious; (2) There was a strong negative correlation between the number of winter wheat overwintering days and the daily average temperature, daily maximum temperature, daily minimum temperature and ≥0°C accumulated temperature. (3) In recent 30 years, the number of winter wheat overwintering days in Changji City showed an increasing trend, which was related to the significant decrease of daily average temperature, daily maximum temperature and daily minimum temperature.
Abstract: Changji City is located in the main producing area of winter wheat in Xinjiang. It is of great significance to study and analyze the regional climate change and its impact on the overwintering period of winter wheat for making full use of the ratio of light, heat and water resources and developing grain production according to local conditions. The...
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Research Article
Culinary Practices as a Strategy for Food Security and Nutritional Transition in the Context of Climate Change in Soudano-Sahelian Zone of Cameroon
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
239-254
Received:
15 October 2025
Accepted:
4 December 2025
Published:
29 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijaas.20251106.14
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Abstract: Northern Cameroon is highly vulnerable to climate change, resulting in persistent food and nutritional insecurity among rural households. This study aims was to assess dietary habits in northern Cameroon during periods of food abundance and scarcity, and to evaluate the contribution of underutilized and climate-resilient foods to food and nutritional security under climate change conditions. Data were collected using a survey of HYPERLINK "tel:720" 720 randomly selected households in four localities (Bame; Bang, Gambour and Douroum). Samples were collected and analyzed for nutritional content. The Kruskal-Wallis test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare the consumption of staple foods and nutritional parameters. R-studio software has using for analysis. Dietary diversity was low, with cereals contributing 80% of total food intake, followed by legumes (15%) and tubers (5%). Seventeen food consumption forms were identified, with frequencies ranging from 0 to 10 times per week. In the case of leafy vegetables, 15 varieties are consumed. Foods derived from roots and tubers are less popular than those derived from cereals. The FCS during the period of food abundance varies between HYPERLINK "tel:23.3" 23.3 and HYPERLINK "tel:28.5" 28.5, while during the lean season, the variation is between HYPERLINK "tel:23.3" 23.3 and HYPERLINK "tel:25.5" 25.5. Diversity Score (FDS) varied from 2.13 to 3.3 during abundance and from 3.1 to 4.4 during the lean period, remaining well below FAO thresholds. Sixteen underutilized foods were consumed as coping strategies during food shortages and exhibited high nutritional potential. These foods have a high nutritional potential, so the average variation is: in ash from HYPERLINK "tel:0.3" 0.3 ± HYPERLINK "tel:0.00" 0.00 to HYPERLINK "tel:5.793" 5.793 ± HYPERLINK "tel:0.58" 0.58, in dry matter from HYPERLINK "tel:83.24" 83.24 ± HYPERLINK "tel:0.83" 0.83 to HYPERLINK "tel:94.93" 94.93 ± HYPERLINK "tel:0.80" 0.80, in crude protein from HYPERLINK "tel:6.68" 6.68 ± HYPERLINK "tel:0.10" 0.10 to HYPERLINK "tel:44.68" 44.68 ± HYPERLINK "tel:2.91" 2.91, in total lipids from HYPERLINK "tel:8.79" 8.79± HYPERLINK "tel:0.79" 0.79 to HYPERLINK "tel:48.33" 48.33 ± 3.24, total carbohydrate from HYPERLINK "tel:11.45" 11.45 ± HYPERLINK "tel:2.86" 2.86 to HYPERLINK "tel:50.52" 50.52± HYPERLINK "tel:2.4" 2.4, fiber from HYPERLINK "tel:0.00" 0.00 ± HYPERLINK "tel:0.00" 0.00 to HYPERLINK "tel:5.22" 5.22 ± HYPERLINK "tel:1.58" 1.58, calcium from HYPERLINK "tel:23.54" 23.54 ± HYPERLINK "tel:0.16" 0.16 to HYPERLINK "tel:316.95" 316.95 ± HYPERLINK "tel:0.31" 0.31 and iron from HYPERLINK "tel:5.35" 5.35 ± HYPERLINK "tel:0.077" 0.077 to HYPERLINK "tel:7.66.05" 7.66.05 ± HYPERLINK "tel:0.02" 0.02. The FCS and FDS values are well below the FAO standard, which is greater than or equal to HYPERLINK "tel:35.5" 35.5 and 6 respectively. Nutritional analyses show that these foods play a very important role in the fight against food insecurity, as they have very high macro and micronutrient values. Overall, underutilized foods represent valuable resources for improving dietary quality and strengthening resilience to climate-induced food insecurity in northern Cameroon.
Abstract: Northern Cameroon is highly vulnerable to climate change, resulting in persistent food and nutritional insecurity among rural households. This study aims was to assess dietary habits in northern Cameroon during periods of food abundance and scarcity, and to evaluate the contribution of underutilized and climate-resilient foods to food and nutrition...
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