Comparative Study of the Socioeconomic Characteristics and Digital Literacy Level of Agricultural Extension Personnel in Imo and Ebonyi States, South-East, Nigeria

The study comparatively analysed the socioeconomic characteristics and digital literacy level of Agricultural Extension personnel (AEP) in Ebonyi and Imo States, South-East, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of agricultural extension personnel in Ebonyi and Imo States, and to ascertain the digital literacy level of AEP in the studied states. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 312 Agricultural Extension personnel (132 from Ebonyi State Agricultural Development Program and 180 from Imo State Agricultural Development Program) for the study. Data were collected through the use of validated and structured questionnaire, and administered through the help of well-trained enumerators. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistical tools such as percentages mean score, standard deviation and weighted mean. Findings indicated that they were more male in the both States (55.3% and 57.8%) for Ebonyi and Imo State respectively and that the average age of AEP in Ebonyi and Imo States were 44.7 years and 49.2 years respectively. It was further revealed that the majority (77.3% and 82.8%) had B.Sc./HND as their highest academic qualifications, belonged to professional organisations (62.1% and 75%), and were earning an average monthly income of N58,798 and N62,648 for Ebonyi and Imo State respectively. Also, it was revealed that their mean years of service were 12.4 years and 13.4 years for Ebonyi and Imo State respectively. Almost all of them (87.9% and 95.0%) own a smartphone, had access to the internet (80.3% and 90.0%), but do not own a laptop/ipad (82.6% and 72.8%) for Ebon-yi and Imo State respectively. Results further revealed that Agricultural extension personnel in both Ebonyi and Imo State respectively had low digital literacy level ( = 2.41 and 2.32). The study concluded that AEP in Ebonyi and Imo State respectively had similar socioeconomic characteristics and low level of digital literacy. The study recommended that the management of ADPs in both Ebonyi and Imo State should ensure the training of AEP in digital skills to enhance their digital literacy level to enable them use digital technologies in their work.

Analysis of the Digital Skill Gap of Agricultural Extension Personnel in South-East, Nigeria

The study analysed the digital skill gap of agricultural extension personnel on the use of digital technologies for extension services delivery in South-East, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of agricultural extension personnel in South-East Nigeria and identify the digital skill gaps among agricultural extension personnel in the area of study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 364 Agricultural Extension personnel for the study. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire and were analysed using simple descriptive statistical tools such as percentages, mean score, and standard deviation. Findings indicated that most of the personnel were male (57.8%), within the age bracket of 38 - 47 years (62.9%), had B.Sc./HND as their highest educational qualification (74.7%), married (86.3%), and had a household size of 6 - 10 Persons (57.7%). It was further revealed that the majority (70.1%) were members of professional organization, earned a monthly income of N50,001.00 - N100,000.00 (65.7%), had a work experience of 11 - 15 years (51.1%), and owned a smartphone/ iPad/laptop (91.5%). Findings further indicated that they had moderate skill gap in Basic Computer skills (Mean = 4.32), and digital communication and collaboration skills (Mean = 4.26). Findings also showed that they had a high skill gap in digital technical skills (Mean = 2.46), digital data analysis skills (Mean = 2.09), digital content creation skills (Mean = 2.43), digital ethical skills (Mean = 2.79), multimedia production skills (Mean = 2.81), and video library management skills (Mean = 2.39). The study concluded that though there exists a high digital skill gap among agricultural extension personnel in South-East, Nigeria, their socioeconomic characteristics are capable of supporting the implementation of digital extension services in the area. The study recommended that the management of Agricultural Development Programs in South-East, Nigeria, should provide digital training for extension personnel to close the digital skill gap that currently exists among the personnel.

The Role of Agricultural Extension in Decentralizing the Sensitivity of Vegetable Farmers to the Risk of Residual Pesticide Effects

This study was carried out in the northern Khartoum (Bahry Locality) with the aim of knowing the role of agricultural extension in developing the awareness of the farmer to the danger of residual effect of pesticides (vegetable farmers). The social survey method was used to conduct this study;100 vegetable farmers were selected randomly. The data collected through questionnaires, observation, and interviews for primary data, previously concerned, and reference documents were used to collect secondary data. Data collected were analyzed using the statistical packages for social science (SPSS). The study yielded some useful results, the most important of which are: the presence of respondents who obtain their information about pesticides from merchants, the absence of a guide provider in their area, and the absence of any seminars or lectures on the use of pesticides, or programs. For example, radio and television programs were presented but protective clothing was not used. This study is based on the researcher's advocate for the following: intensifying agricultural extension and employee visits to the agricultural field, in addition to intensifying educational evidence for consumers regarding pesticides and providing preliminary data on pesticides and how to deal with them and increase them. Educate farmers about the safe use of pesticides and identify the risks and damages that pesticides cause to humans.

Response of Rice Cultivars to Elevated Air Temperature and Soil Amendments: Implications towards Climate Change Adaptations and Mitigating Global Warming Potentials

Global mean surface air temperature is expected to increase 1.1˚C - 6.4˚C by the end of 21st century which may affect rice productivity and methane emissions in the future climate. This experiment was conducted to investigate the response of rice cultivars to elevated air temperature (+1.5˚C higher than ambient) and soil amendments in regards to rice yield, yield scaled methane emissions and global warming potentials. The experimental findings revealed that replacement of inorganic fertilizers (20% - 40% of recommended NPKS) with Vermicompost, Azolla biofertilizer, enriched sugarcane pressmud, rice husk biochar and silicate fertilization increased rice yield 13.0% - 23.0%, and 11.0% - 19.0% during wet aman and dry boro season, respectively. However, seasonal cumulative CH4 fluxes were decreased by 9.0% - 25.0% and 5.0% - 19.0% during rainfed wet aman and irrigated dry boro rice cultivation, respectively with selected soil amendments. The maximum reduction in seasonal cumulative CH4 flux (19.0% - 25.0%) was recorded with silicate fertilization and azolla biofertilizer amendments (9.0% - 13.0%), whereas maximum grain yield increment 10.0 % - 14.0% was found with Vermicompost and Sugarcane pressmud amendments compared to chemical fertilization (100% NPKS) treated soils at ambient air temperature. However, rice grain yield decreased drastically 43.0% - 50.0% at elevated air temperature (3˚C higher than ambient air temperature), eventhough accelerated the total cumulative CH4 flux as well as GWPs in all treatments. Maximum seasonal mean GWPs were calculated at 391.0 kg CO2 eq·ha−1 in rice husk biochar followed by sugarcane pressmud (mean GWP 387.0 kg CO2 eq·ha−1), while least GWPs were calculated at 285 - 305 kg CO2 eq·ha−1 with silicate fertilizer and Azolla biofertilizer amendments. Rice cultivar BRRI dhan 87 revealed comparatively higher seasonal cumulative CH4 fluxes, yield scaled CH4 flux and GWPs than BRRI dhan 71 during wet aman rice growing season;while BRRI dhan 89 showed higher cumulative CH4 flux and GWPs than BINA dhan 10 during irrigated boro rice cultivation. Conclusively, inorganic fertilizers may be partially (20% - 40% of the recommended NPKS) replaced with Vermicompost, azolla biofertilizer, silicate fertilizer and enriched sugarcane pressmud compost for sustainable rice production and decreasing GWPs under elevated air temperature condition.

Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Technologies by Agripreneurs in Ondo State, Nigeria

The research investigated the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technol-ogies among agricultural entrepreneurs in Ondo state, Nigeria. A purposive sample of 120 participants involved in agriculture was selected for the study. Socioeconomic characteristics analysis revealed that the mean age of the re-spondents was 48.3 years. A majority (77%) of the respondents were male, and approximately 68% were married. Regarding education, 32.5% had completed secondary education, while 32.5% had tertiary education. The av-erage annual income was 1,166,800 naira, with a significant proportion (71.7%) identifying as Christians. The study found a significant association between respondents’ awareness levels and their adoption of AI-enabled technologies (χ2 = 7.714, p = 0.005). Based on these findings, it is recom-mended that extension officers receive training in the latest agricultural technologies, including those enabled by AI. Furthermore, the study suggests the introduction of easily accessible and user-friendly AI technologies to farmers to enhance their productivity and income with minimal or no cost implications.

Effect of Different Mulch Materials on Yield and Nutrition Profile of Common Capsicum (Capsicum annuum) Cultivars in Bangladesh

Capsicum is a nutritious vegetable and its cultivation in farms is getting popular in Bangladesh. Although many efforts have lain to explore better yielding and nutritionally rich cultivars with suitable modern cultivation techniques but still have to find the desired outcome. Thus, it’s necessary to conduct further research to identify the high-yielding and nutritious capsicum cultivars in Bangladesh. An experiment was conducted from July 2021 to June 2022 at the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Training on Applied Nutrition (BIRTAN) research field with three cultivars of capsicum: B0 = California Wonder, B1 = BARI Misti Morich-1 and B2 = BARI Misti Morich-2 and three mulching: T0 = No mulching, T1 = Water hyacinth, T2 = Poly Mulching in randomized complete block design with three replications to identify better quality capsicum cultivar and suitable mulching material. Among cultivars the BARI Misti Morich-2 (B2) showed increased agronomic parameters like number of branches and effective branches per plant, leaves length and width, consequently yield and yield contributing traits were also enhanced like fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter and yield per plant (25.97%, 4.54%, 3.64% and 21.43%, respectively). Poly Mulching (T2) increased agronomic traits, yield traits and yield (0.61 kg) than BARI Misti Morich-1 (T1). The combined effect of B2T2 increased the number of branches per plant, effective branches per plant, leaves length and breadth by 40%, 90%, 15.57% and 26.22%, respectively, hence resulting in an increased yield of 20%. BARI Misti Morich-2 cultivar showed an increase in Fe, Zn and Vitamin-C content of 26.24% and 23.10%, 8.82% and 5.14%, and 6.03% and 5.74% than B0 and B1 cultivars, respectively. Therefore, BARI Misti Morich-2 exhibited the improved agronomic, yield and nutritional traits of capsicum under poly mulching among other cultivars in Bangladesh.

Challenges Militating against the Effectiveness of Knowledge Management in Sustainable Land Use and Agricultural Production among Extension Workers in Sokoto State, Nigeria

The study assessed the Challenges Militating against the Effectiveness of Knowledge Management (KM) in Sustainable Land Use and Agricultural Production among Agricultural Extension Workers in Sokoto State, Nigeria. A sample size of 188 was drawn using well-structured questionnaires and was used for the study. Descriptive statistics and logit model were as tools of data analysis. The result of the study indicated that 53.7% of the extension Workers highlighted that lack of top Management support as major challenges for effectiveness of knowledge management among agricultural extension workers. The result of the logit model indicated that marital status, education level, experience, cosmopolitness and means of transportation had positive and significant relationship with effectiveness of Knowledge management. It was recommended therefore that Knowledge Management should be given top management support in all government establishments.

Identification of agricultural systems in the mountains of Northeast Thailand

Agricultural systems in Thailand's northeastern mountains are described in terms of their type of crops, marketing channels, and labor requirements. Five distinctive systems are identified: The Field crop system, Fruit tree system, Industrial tree plantation system, Specialty crop system and Agro-tourism system. The different systems are compared with each other in order to identify their respective strengths and weaknesses as development models. The Field crop system covers the largest area of agricultural land and is found in all mountainous villages but it generates very low net profits per hectare. The Specialty crop system and Agro-tourism system generate very high net profits per hectare but cover only a small land area and have a restricted spatial distribution. Expansion of these high value systems may be limited because they are capital and labor intensive and require highly skilled farmers to manage them successfully. If these constraints can be overcome, they may offer a useful model for mountain agricultural development.

Are Spatial Factors Important in the Adoption of Eco-Friendly Agricultural Technologies? Evidence on Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Past studies on the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM), analyzed the significance of non-spatial factors (social, economic, institutional and management factors etc.) in influencing farmers’ decision to adopt IPM while the present study analyzed spatial factors in addition to these non-spatial factors to address the questions-i. Do the spatial factors significantly influence the farmers to adopt IPM? If yes, then to what extent they do affect IPM adoption? The data were collected from 331 vegetable farmers of Narsingdi district, Bangladesh, by conducting a household survey. Farmers’ nineteen characteristics under five broad groups, namely social, economic, institutional, management and spatial factors were analyzed. The result of the binary logistic regression model revealed that two spatial factors namely the distance of farmers’ house from the nearest market and the distance from agriculture office, along with some specific social, economic, institutional and management factors, significantly influenced the farmers’ to use IPM. It is also observed from the model that the role of spatial factors was important in influencing IPM adoption. However, with regard to the level of importance, their contribution was less than those of economic and institutional factors but more than those of social and management factors. The influences of these factors in practicing IPM are discussed individually as well as group based. The findings show significance in domestic policy making.

Assessment of Gender Policy in Selected Tertiary Agricultural Education Institutions in Africa

The paper assesses the existing gender policy document in fourteen (14) selected agricultural faculties and colleges in tertiary institutions in Africa. This paper is an output of research report on Programme of Strengthening Africa’s Strategic Agricultural Capacity for Impact on Development (SASACID) implemented by the African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resources Education (ANAFE). Data for the study were collected from 207 respondents (8 deans of ANAFE SASACID pilot institutions, 36 academic staff/lecturers of SASACID pilot institutions and 163 students of SASACID pilot institutions) through the use of online survey. Data collected were analysed and presented using frequency, percentage and charts. Results of the survey revealed that 25.0% of the institutions studied indicated that they had a formal gender policy document in place in their institutions with regards to staff recruitment and students’ admission, while about 25.0% had an informal gender practices on staff recruitment and students’ admission. Higher proportion (60.0%) of the institution had neither a formal policy document nor informal practices as regards staff recruitment and students admission. Some of the constraints faced by the Institutions with a gender policy were insufficient female applicants in agricultural courses, societal norms and remote location of some of the faculties/colleges of agriculture. To encourage both males and females to study agriculture in higher institutions of learning and to create and sustain a fair and just academic environment where both have equal opportunities, there is a need to have a gender policy document and the need to create awareness.

Abattoir as a Tool for Veterinary Extension and Communication Services: A Practical Demonstration of Its Implementation

Considering the widespread disease transmission among butchers/meat inspectors and a possible risk of exposure to diseases due to the attitude of some butchers and nature of meat inspector’s jobs. Ignorance and lack of awareness of such dangers has also been identified to be responsible for some of the problems encountered in most instances as well as the presence of some predisposing factors for diseases. In view of the above, this model is developed as a means of demonstrating the use of the abattoir and other registered related slaughter premises in the provision of the physical facility, where the primary role of extension personnel to develop the capacity and capability of target groups in the abattoir and livestock producing community, in order to enhance animal/zoonotic disease surveillance and control. The model if adopted and fully utilized will create awareness among target groups of dangers of disease transmission and ways of curtailing such problems, government through their agencies, professionals and private organizations should be involved in the implementation of this model in order to achieve the desired response.

Factors Influencing the Success of Agricultural Information System （AIS）： A Factor Analysis

This study aims at investigating the AIS （Agricultural Information System） in Hamedan province, Iran, benefiting from the list of criteria for well functioning AISs that were identified in earlier researches. For this purpose, a survey method with multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was used to select 31 agricultural researchers, and 62 extension workers in the province. The data were acquired by questionnaire and structured interviews. The instrument for data collection was subjected to pre-testing, validation and reliability tests. The results of the factor analysis revealed that the criteria could be categorized into four overarching groups based on their inter-correlation. The analysis of mentioned criteria in Hamedan province AIS showed less efficiency and effectiveness than studies conducted in other areas. But among these, two desirable criteria existed. It is recommended that the ecological knowledge system （EKS） should be integrated with AIS, and some ecological and sustainable development criteria should be added to the existing ones.

Determinants of Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change: A Case Study from the Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Socio-economic conditions of farmers, especially in the coastal region in Bangladesh, have been severely affected because of climate change. This study was focused on analyzing the farmers’ perception of climate change by examining three vital issues: (1) description of the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers;(2) reporting on the perception of farmers experiences with climatic change;and (3) identification of the socio-economic factors associated with farmers’ perception of climate change. The study area encompasses three villages within the coastal region (Sathkhira district) of Bangladesh, a geographic region where climate change literature has highlighted as prone to accelerated degradation. A logit model, along with weighted indexes for ranking and descriptive statistics, was used to analyze the result of 100 farmers surveyed by questionnaire. We found that the majority of the farmers (88%) perceived changes in climatic conditions. Almost all farmers indicated increases in temperature, droughts, floods, cyclones, salinity level and decreasing rainfall over the last 20 years. The logit model explained that out of the nine factors surveyed;education, family size, farm size, family income, farming experiences and training received were significantly related and influential factors to perception of climate change. Therefore, government and non-governmental organizations are recommended to push forward with interventions, especially focusing on identified factors, in order to strengthen the farmers’ capacity to battle against climate change effects.

First survey of hard ticks(Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle, sheep and goats in Boeen Zahra and Takistan counties, Iran

Objective:To carry out the distribution survey of hard ticks of livestock in Boeen Zahra and Takistan counties of Qazvin province from April 2010 to September 2010.Methods:Nearly about 2638 sheep, 461 goats and 318 cattle of 38 herds in different geographical areas were searched for tick infestation.Results:The species compositions collected from the livestock of Boeen Zahra and Takistan wereHaemaphysalis concinna(0.63%),Haemaphysalis sulcata(12.66%),Hyalomma anatolicum(3.80%),Hyalomma asiaticum(3.16%),Hyalomma detritum(5.70%),Hyalomma dromedarii(28.48%),Hyalomma marginatum(13.29%),Hyalomma schulzei(1.89%),Rhipicephalus bursa(3.16%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus(3.16%), and for Takistan's livestock were Hyalomma dromedarii(9.86%),Hyalomma marginatum(13.29%),Hyalomma schulzei(1.89%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus(3.16%), respectively. Hard ticks compositions in different topographic areas were different.Hyalommaspecies had the most prevalence in the areas.Conclusions:The veterinary and public health investigation of the above species should be taken.

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci for the stigma exsertion rate in rice(Oryza sativa L.)

The efficiency of hybrid rice seed production can be improved by increasing the percentage of exserted stigmas. To identify quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for this trait, we conducted QTL mapping using 75 chromosome segment substitution lines （CSSLs） developed from a cross between the donor parent, Xieqingzao B （XQZB）, a maintainer line which has high stigma exsertion and the recurrent parent, Zhonghui 9308 （ZH9308）, a restorer line which has low stigma exsertion. Atotal of nine QTLs （qSSE5, qSSE10, qSSE11, qDSE10, qDSE11, qTSE5, qTSE6, qTSE10, and qTSE11） for single stigma exsertion （ssE）, dual stigma exsertion （DSE） and total stigma exsertion （TSE） were assessed in two environments （Hainan and Zhejiang）. Six of these QTLs （qSSE10, qSSE11, qDSE10, qDSE11, qTSE10, and qTSE11） were found in both environ- ments, while one QTL （qTSE6） was found in only Hainan, and two QTLs （qSSE5 and qTSE5） were found in only Zhejiang. The qSSE10, qSSE11, qDSE10, qDSE11, qTSE6, qTSE10, and qTSE11 alleles, which are derived from the parent XQZB, exhibited a positive additive effect. In contrast, the qSSE5 and qTSE5 alleles, which are derived from the parent ZH9308, exhibited a negative additive effect. The SSE, DSE and TSE traits were significantly correlated with each other in an en- vironmentally dependent manner. These results indicated that the lines showing higher values for SSE were more likely to exhibit increased values for DSE, which would ultimately increase TSE. To evaluate the advantage of exserted stigmas for cross-pollination, single, dual and total stigma exsertion should be considered separately in future attempts at genetic improvement to achieve increased production of rice hybrid seeds. This study also provides information for fine mapping, gene cloning and particularly marker-assisted selection （MAS）, on the latter and with an emphasis the phenotypic effects and implications of the QTLs for practical use in hybrid rice breeding.

Impact of temperature on yield and related traits in cotton genotypes

Cotton growth and development is influenced by various uncontrollable environmental conditions. Temperature variations in the field can be created by planting at different dates. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of planting dates and thermal temperatures（growing degree days） on yield of 4 cotton genotypes, viz., CIM-598, CIM-599, CIM-602 and Ali Akbar-703. Plants were subjected to 6 planting dates during 2013 and 2014 in a trial conducted in randomized complete block design with four replications. For boll number, boll weight and seed cotton yield, cotton genotypes exhibited significant differences, CIM-599 produced the highest seed cotton yield of 2 062 kg ha^（–1） on account of maximum boll number and boll weight. The highest seed cotton yield was recorded in planting dates from 15 th April to 1st May whereas early and delayed planting reduced the yield due to less accumulation of heat units. Regression analysis revealed that increase of one unit（15 days） from early to optimum date（15th March to 15 th April） increased yield by 93.58 kg ha^–1. Delay in planting also decreased the seed cotton yield with the same ratio. Thus it is concluded that cotton must be sown from 15 th April to 1st May to have good productivity in this kind of environment.

Social Factors Affecting Wetlands Utilization for Agriculture in Nigeria: A case study of sawah rice production

Wetlands have immense poverty-fighting potentials and in Nigeria, more and more people are dependent on wetlands for their livelihoods. To examine the social factors affecting the current status of the wetlands utilization for agriculture in Nigeda, a simple random sampling technique was used to select 200 farmers cultivating wetlands and a structured questionnaire was applied to elicit the information on the social factors. Data collected were described using frequency and percentage and a multiple regression analysis was used to identify significant variables that are determinants of wetland utilization. The results of the analysis showed that significant variables included crop preferences, farming system, culture, taste, land tenure, knowledge of wetland cultivation, perceived suitability, farmers＇ tribe, location of wetland, and farmers＇ age. it was concluded with suggestions for the right combination of policies, public awareness, and appropriate farming methods in order to improve wetland utilization in Nigeria.

Effect of Tillage and Residue Retention on Soil Properties and Crop Yields in Wheat-Mungbean-Rice Crop Rotation under Subtropical Humid Climate

The effects of conservation agriculture (CA) practices on soil properties along with crop yields of rice-based triple cropping systems have not been adequately assessed in Bangladesh. An experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh from 2009 to 2012 to assess the effects of tillage practices and crop residue retention on soil physical properties, soil organic carbon (SOC) and crop yields in a wheat-mungbean-rice system. Treatments consisted of three tillage practices (MT: minimum tillage;CT: conventional tillage and DT: deep tillage) and eight levels of crop residue management (S0—no residues retention, Sr—retention of 30 cm rice straw, Sm—whole mungbean stover retention, SW—30 cm wheat straw retention, Smr—whole mungbean stover & 30 cm rice straw retention, Srw—30 cm rice & wheat straw retention, Smw—whole mungbean stover & 30 cm wheat straw retention and Swrm—30 cm wheat and rice straw along with whole mungbean stover retention) were applied in split plot design with three replications. Bulk density (BD) and porosity responded positively to MT and increased residue retention of all crops (p > 0.05). Minimum tillage and Swrm also significantly accumulated SOC (p < 0.05;0.38% higher than DT with no residue retention) and retained soil moisture (p < 0.05). Minimum tillage practice performed better in upland crops (p < 0.05;wheat & mungbean yields) and CT outperformed MT in wetland rice crop (p < 0.05). The grain and straw yields of wheat and rice were also influenced by previous crop residue retentions (p < 0.05). The results, therefore, suggested that increased residue retention with minimum tillage practices improved soil properties and yield of upland crops but with deeper tillage practices consistently maintained wetland rice production.

Possibility of Socio-economic Attributes and ICT Application in Improving Quality of Farmers

Evaluation on the diversified Information and Communication Technologies( ICTs) application along their association in socio-economic attributes can provide valuable insights about the trends of farmers towards improvement.Therefore,analytical research design and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected from 400 respondents within different regions of Punjab Province in Pakistan.Based on the findings,it is recommended that government in collaboration with all stakeholders should launch regular,holistic and modern ICTs programs like applications of robo calls,SMS,etc.services at central level to ensure timely availability of agricultural information to improving the quality of young farmers.Furthermore,it is recommended to launch effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism of ICTs for agricultural development.

Role of a Coastal NGO in Attaining Climate Resilience in Bangladesh

The emergence of NGOs represents an organized response by civil society especially in those areas in which the state has either failed to reach or done so inadequately. NGOs have been taking a number of steps to promote discussion and debate about climate change issues. The study was conducted to determine the role of a coastal NGO named Speed Trust in attaining resilience in response to climate change in coastal region;viz. Kalapara sub-district under Patuakhali district. The sample size of the study was 80 respondents. The study followed a mixed-method of research design. Both structured and semi-structured questionnaires were prepared for collecting quantitative and qualitative data from the respondent. The empirical data for the study were collected through personal interviewing of the respondents. The findings of the study revealed that the role of Speed Trust in attaining climate resilience of the study area was varied with the change of aspects of climate resilience. It also indicated that majority (80 percent) of the respondents perceived the idea that Speed Trust is playing moderate to highly effective role in attaining climate resilience. While only 1.2 percent had perceived as poor role in attaining resilience in response to climate change. Correlation analysis indicated that among the selected socio-economic characteristics, respondent’s education, organizational participation, training on climate resilience, consequence due to climate change and participation in climate resilience program showed positive and significant relationship with the role of Speed Trust in response to climate resilience. Step-wise multiple regression analysis explored that amongst five variables, three independent variables finally entered into the model and the contribution factors are: participation, training, and organizational participation. They are jointly accounted for 62.2 percent of the total variation with perceived role of Speed Trust in attaining climate resilience. It was also established that the absolute majority (100 percent) of the respondents had to face low to medium level problems in getting Sped Trust’s services on climate change issues.