Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) is the most devastating disease of banana and plantain (Musa spp.). The disease spreads through the use of infected vegetative propagules and the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) is the virus vector. This study seeks to understand the gender dimensions and sociocultural aspects of banana seed (vegetative propagule) sourcing and sharing practices among men and women farmers, and its influence on BBTD spread and disease control efforts. Data were collected from 300 banana farmers (187 men and 113 women) in BBTD and non-BBTD areas in southwest Nigeria. The results revealed that seed sharing within the communities is a social responsibility with members expected to share banana seed with the needy mainly as gifts rather than sold for cash. Men farmers mostly sourced seed from old fields, while women sourced seed from relatives. Harvesting of banana seed was predominantly the responsibility of men with women as helpers. Both men and women farmers in the non-BBTD area cultivated larger farm sizes and harvested more banana planting material than farmers in the BBTD area. The existing seed sourcing practices among men and women farmers heighten the risk of BBTD spread. Awareness raising on disease spread through infected seeds should consider gender-differentiated roles and social practices to reduce its spread within communities.

Beekeeping is a lucrative livelihood activity of the rural dwellers because it offers a great potential for income generation, poverty alleviation, sustainable use of forest resources and diversifying the export base. This paper examined the attitude of trained beekeepers to use of modern beekeeping technologies in Oyo state, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 131 trained beekeepers. The data collected were analysed with the aid of descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and mean), and inferential statistics tools such as Chi-square, Pearson product moment correlation. The results revealed that there was favourable attitude to use of modern beekeeping technologies. Beekeepers had high (54.2%) participation in training activities and are highly knowledgeable (61.8%) on the use of modern beekeeping technologies. Age (r= 0.373, P=0.000); educational status (χ² =5.189, df=1, P=0.013); membership of beekeepers association (χ² =6.155, df=1, P=0.013) and knowledge of modern beekeeping technologies (r=0.491, P=0.000) of beekeepers determined attitude towards use of modern beekeeping technologies. Similar training in other states will enhance use of modern beekeeping and in turn productivity.