This study evaluated the effects of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) on the productivity and income of smallholder maize farmers in Kano State, Nigeria. The programme was introduced to improve agricultural productivity through enhanced access to loans, farm inputs, extension services, and structured markets. Two specific objectives were set to guide the study. A descriptive survey research design was used, with a population that consisted of 11,353 smallholder maize farmer beneficiaries. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 246 respondents as the sample size. A structured questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection with a standardized reliability coefficient of 0.826. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and the hypotheses were tested using linear regression. The findings revealed that participation in the ABP had a positive and statistically significant effect on both maize productivity and farmers’ income. The programme’s loans and farm inputs were available and accessible to smallholder maize farmers (P=0.000). Beneficiary farmers recorded higher yields and income levels compared to non-beneficiaries. The study concluded that while the ABP improved productivity and income among maize farmers in Kano State, its impact was limited by implementation inefficiencies. The study recommended strengthened inputs delivery systems, improved monitoring, and enhanced extension support to maximise programme outcomes.
Kingsley U., Onyebuchi U., Ogochukwu M., et al.Jul 23, 2026
Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, driven by low agricultural productivity and limited use of improved seed technologies such as certified maize seeds. Despite evidence of their benefits, adoption of certified maize seeds remains inconsistent, and there is limited empirical evidence on their impact on household food security in Enugu State. This study therefore assessed the effect of certified maize seed adoption on household food security among maize farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey design. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 maize farmers, comprising 57 adopters and 63 non-adopters of certified maize seeds. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), and binary logistic regression models to examine adoption determinants and the effect of certified seed use on food security. Certified maize seed adoption was found to significantly improve household food security. About 64.9% of adopting households were food secure compared with only 6.3% of non-adopting households. Logistic regression results showed that adoption had a positive and statistically significant effect on household food security. Household size and annual farm income were significant factors influencing adoption decisions. The study concludes that certified maize seed adoption significantly improves household food security among maize farmers in Enugu State. Strengthening access to certified seeds and improving farmers’ economic capacity could enhance adoption rates and contribute to improved food security outcomes.
A longitudinal study of 34 primary health centres finds that structured CHW referral networks were associated with a significant reduction in maternal mortality ratios over the study period.
Abdulahi Z., Bukhari R., Musa K., et al.Jul 10, 2026
Field trials in three Sahel cities demonstrate that moringa seed-based water treatment offers a low-cost alternative to conventional chlorination, with sustained community adoption in two of three sites.
Adekunle O., Chukwu I., Okafor T., et al.Jul 8, 2026
A machine learning ensemble trained on TRMM satellite data predicts intra-seasonal flood risk with 87% accuracy, providing early warning for vulnerable populations.
Okafor A., Onwuegbuzie N., Chidubem K., et al.Jul 2, 2026
A mixed-methods study of 45 secondary teachers using AI-powered lesson planning tools shows significant improvements in student engagement and learning outcomes.
Okafor N., Ejiro M., Chidebere L., et al.Jul 1, 2026
Survey data from 2,100 informal savings groups shows that mobile money integration increases savings accumulation by 34%, with gender-differentiated effects across rural and urban areas.
Amara K., Mensah O., Diallo M., et al.Jun 28, 2026
A cross-sectional survey of 4,800 parents in five West African capitals examines vaccine hesitancy drivers and identifies regional patterns in COVID-19 vaccination uptake.
Mwangi J., Wanjiru E., Kiplagat D., et al.Jun 22, 2026
A comparative study of community-led watershed restoration finds measurable gains in soil retention, water availability, and local climate adaptation capacity.
Metagenomic analysis reveals significant shifts in soil bacterial communities following biochar incorporation, with positive effects on nitrogen availability and plant biomass.
Ezenwoke C., Ikechukwu L., Usman R., et al.May 20, 2026
Deep learning models trained on accelerometer arrays demonstrate promising results in real-time damage detection and localization in Lagos-based commercial buildings.
Okafor B., Mensah-Boateng C., Sani A., et al.May 15, 2026
Integrating household surveys, focus groups, and biological sampling, this study quantifies the relationship between water access quality and childhood malnutrition.