Acknowledgments This report has benefited from the invaluable contributions of Roberto La Rovere and Wilfred Mwangi, both of CIMMYT. Appreciation is also due to Kai Sonder, the GIS specialist (formerly at IITA), for producing the map of the survey locations that provided the opportunity for us to carry out the study. The unalloyed support and additional input received from Prof. Alphonse Emechebe in reshaping the final report for improved quality cannot go unmentioned. We thank Zacharia Jamagani of IITA, Zaria, who, as the field supervisor of the survey, assisted tremendously in communicating with community heads, village extension agents, and the farming households. Many thanks are also due to the entire staff of IITA, Kano station, Nigeria, for hosting the project team and their conscientious effort in providing transport facilities for the successful execution of the project. Sincere gratitude is due to the numerous farmers and various organizations and individuals who promptly responded to the questionnaire. These include the Katsina and Kano States zonal directors of agriculture in Rano and Malumfashi, community heads, key informants, farmers’ groups, as well as focus group participants. The inputs from colleagues at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and in NARS/NAERLS, particularly from Prof. Onyinbe and the late Dr Kure, are highly appreciated. Finally, very special thanks go to our employers, IITA Nigeria, and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, for providing a good working environment in which to undertake the study and successfully produce this final report.
vi