FAMAN Journal Volume 10 No. 2, 2009
ASSESSMENT OF INVOLVEMENT OF
WOMEN IN HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA
Adesoji, S. A. and I. B.
Oluwatayo
Department of Agricultural
Economics and Extension Services, University of Ado-Ekiti, P.M.B. 5363,
Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria: dapadesoji@yahoo.co.uk
or iboluwatayounad@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The study focused on involvement of women in household
food security in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data were collected with an interview
schedule. Two Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected from each of
the three senatorial districts of the State and one rural community was
selected from each of the local government selected. Twenty-five households
were randomly selected from each of the rural communities. A total of 150 rural
households were selected and interviewed. Results of the analysis showed that
the mean age of respondents was 43 years. Though all the respondents were
married, only 60 percent were living with their spouses. Seventy-five percent
were educated and 54 percent had household size of 7 members. Majority were
small-scale farmers with monthly income less than N5, 000. Over 57 percent reduces quantity of food given to their
household as a means of coping with food insecurity. The study further revealed
that 51 percent of the respondents were food-secure and that a significant
difference in food security (F = 0.185) existed between female and male-headed
households. Age, marital status, household size, size of farm, and income were
significant determinants of household food security in Ekiti State.
Key words: Food security, Women, Welfare, Nigeria
TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF TRADITIONAL
PALM OIL PROCESSING IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA
Kadurumba, C. 1,
C.I Ezeh 2 and J. A. Mbanasor 3
1. Department of
Agricultural Extension Management, Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu
Ebonyi State. Email: mezinokbe@yahoo.com.
2. Department of Agricultural
Economics and Extension, Abia State University Umuahia Campus Umuahia, Abia
State. Email: chimaezeh@yahoo.com
3. College of Agribusiness
and Financial management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia
State.
ABSTRACT
This study used the translog stochastic production
function to measure the level of technical efficiency and its determinants in
traditional palm oil processing in Imo State, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was
adopted in collecting cross sectional data of 240 traditional palm oil
processors from whom input-output data and their prices were obtained. The
result of the translog analysis showed that the mean farm level technical
efficiency was 86%.The maximum and minimum technical efficiency indices were
0.97 0.61 respectively, while the mean technical efficiency was 0.86. The study
found that amount of oil palm fruit, loan borrowed, litres of petrol /diesel,
water used were positive and significant at 10%, 1% and 5% respectively. The
elasticity indicates that there is increasing returns to scale in the area
studied.
Keywords: Technical
efficiency, palm oil production, Nigeria.
IMPACT OF RURAL ROADS AND MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE ON
OUTPUT AND INCOME OF FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN UGHELLI SOUTH, DELTA STATE
Inoni, O. E.
Department
of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Delta State University, Asaba Campus,
Asaba., Delta State, Nigeria. Email:inoniemma2003@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study examined the impact of roads and
market facilities on output and farm income using data from 180 farming
households. The results showed that road quality had a significant and positive
influence on output and farm income as a 10% improvement in road quality caused
a 1.3% and 1.7% increase in crop production and farm income respectively.
Access to marketing information also had a positive effect on income and
instigated the greatest response, as a 10 % increase in access to market
information raised farm income by 4%. This implied that farmers with adequate
and current market information took advantage of market conditions to earn
higher prices and income. Distance to market and cost of transportation
depressed farm income because they dampened the incentive to expand production,
hence the negative impact of these variables on farm income. Since high cost of
transportation, longer distance to markets and poor road quality depress farm
output and reduce household income, a strategy to expand rural road network and
establish marketing facilities in major agricultural production centres is
advocated, in order to safeguard the livelihood of farmers and stem rural-urban
drift. The local government authority and the State government should
collaborate in this regard as a matter of policy.
Keywords:
rural roads, markets, agricultural output, farming households, farm
income
CREDIT ACCESS, FARM SIZE AND
COST INEFFICIENCY IN MAIZE PRODUCTION IN YEWA NORTH AREA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
1*Awotide, D. O., 1Ololagbose,
O, 2Kehinde, A.L. and 1Bamiro, O.M.
1Department of
Agricultural Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yewa Campus, Ayetoro, Ogun
State, Nigeria
2Department of
Agricultural Economics and Extension, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State,
Nigeria
ABSTRACT
This study empirically examined the relationship among
access to credit, farm size and cost inefficiency in maize production in Ogun
State, southwest Nigeria. It utilized data obtained from a cross-sectional
survey of 115 farming households in 2008 cropping season. The data were
analyzed using descriptive statistics, Stochastic Frontier and multiple
regression models. The study revealed low level of credit usage. The study
revealed a positive and significant relationship between allocative efficiency
and farm size, and marital status of the respondents; negative and significant
relationship between years of formal education and maize farming experience of
the respondents. In addition, maize farm income was significantly determined by
farm size, access to credit and marital status. Policy measures aimed at
increasing access to credit facilities and increase maize farm holdings will go
a long way in boosting and sustaining maize production in the study area.
Finally, concerted should be made to encourage farmers to join savings and
credit self-help group to facilitate easier access to credit which indirectly
translate to increased farm size and reduction in cost inefficiency.
Keywords: access to credit, farm size, cost
inefficiency, maize, Nigeria.
EFFECTS
OF PRICE AND NON-PRICE FACTORS ON THE USE OF CREDIT IN FARMING COMMUNITIES OF
ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA
Okpukpara,
Benjamin Chiedozie
Centre
for Entrepreneurship and Development Research, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
Nigeria. Email: benedozie@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study examined the effects of price and
non-price factors on credit use in farm communities in Nigeria, with particular
reference to Anambra State. It explored the marginal response of satisfying the
credit needs of rural farmers (who produce about 80% of food consumed in this
country), despite the introduction of various schemes and policies. Though
there are studies on determinant of credit, these studies gave little
information on major factors influencing the credit use by rural farmers. To
achieve the broad objective of this study, a random sample of 200 farmers were
made. Primary and secondary data were generated for the
study. The study showed that household size, gender, sources, income level and
access to credit were the major determinants of credit use. However, source of
loan and access to credit are most important factor in rural credit delivery,
while interest rates appear to have little or no influence on amount of loan
borrowed from financial institutions. The study thus recommended, among other
things, that rural credit policies should place minor emphasis on interest rate
and emphasize more on institutional factors such as access, source, household
size non-farm income and gender in their policies.
Key words: Credit
need, price, non-price factors, farm communities, Nigeria.
VALUE OF TREE CROPS CONSERVATION AMONG FOOD
CROPS FARMERS IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA
Apata T. G
Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun
State, Nigeria Email: dayoapata@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This paper examines value of tree crops conservation
strategy among food crop farmers. Cross-section data were used to investigate
500 respondents’ selected from southern states, Nigeria using multi-stage
sampling technique. Tree diversity threshold shows that 17.6% of food crop
farmers’ conserved trees among food crops with 100% having land ownership
status. Findings show that a higher Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) and Rate of
Returns on Investment (RORI) of 0.52 and 52.34% respectively were higher among
tree crops conserver food crop farmers. Result further shows participation in
tree crops conservation was significantly determined by farmer’s level of
education, land ownership, access to extension and tree diversity index. Result
tends to suggests that the level of literacy and farmer’s level of education
and knowledge might have influenced their desire to plant trees. However, for
older farmers, long gestation period of trees may not be so attractive. The
study revealed that tree crops conservation in arable farm fields is very
viable. The rate of return to investment is high and there is the benefit of
improved food crop growth ascribed to soil fertility improvement through litter
fall and nitrogen fixation. Given these benefits, concerted efforts should be
encouraged by extension services to enhance productivity and sustainability of
tree crops in arable farm fields.
Keywords: Soil Fertility, Tree diversity index,
Benefit-Cost Ratio, Conservation strategy
ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’
FEEDBACK ON COCOA PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
1Apata, O.M and 2T.G.
Apata
1. Department, University Of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Email:
simboapata@yahoo.com\
2. Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension
Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, Nigeria. Email:
dayoapata@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study assessed the feedback mechanism of cocoa
farmers on the cocoa production technologies introduced to them. Purposive
sampling procedure was used to select 160 respondents, questionnaire was use to
collect data for the study. The result showed that most of the farmers (80.0%)
are aware of the technologies. Most of them (Between 75.6% and 92.5%) use
technologies but the frequency of usage revealed that between 12% and 40% of
them use the technologies regularly. So also only few of them give feedback to
either extension agents or the researchers regularly. Of all the socio-economic
characteristics considered, only educational status had significant
relationship (61.750, p< 0.050) with the feedback from the farmers.
Keywords: Feedback, cocoa
production, Nigeria
CONSTRAINTS AND TRAINING NEEDS OF PALM OIL EXTRACTORS
IN AFIJIO AREA OF OYO STATE NIGERIA
1Akangbe, J. A, 1Adesiji, G. B, 2Fakayode,
S. B and 1Aderibigbe, Y. O.
1Department of Agricultural Extension
and Rural Development, P.M.B 1515, University of
Ilorin,
Ilorin, Nigeria Email: drgbolaadesiji@yahoo.com
2Department of Agricultural Economics
and Farm Management, P.M.B 1515, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
This study investigated constraints and training needs
of oil palm fruit processors: ‘palm oil extractors’ in Afijio Local Government
Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A two stage sampling technique was used to select
one hundred and sixty (160) households involved in palm oil extraction
activities across the study area. Data were collected using interview schedule
and were analysed using both descriptive and training need analyses. Findings
revealed that palm oil extractors were aged women who have had little or no
formal education and they have been involved in palm oil extraction activities
for about 35 years. The study also revealed that almost all the major palm oil
extraction activities were carried out using unhygienic traditional methods.
Training needs assessment indicated that sterilization, stripping, mixing,
skimming and clarification activities in palm oil extraction, with mean scores
of 7.54, 8.17, 9.36, 8.46 and 8.72 respectively are all tasks that extractors
require training for. Constraints to palm oil extraction activities reported
were those of non-contact with extension, poor and inadequate transportation
system, water scarcity, crude and poor palm oil extraction technology, as well
as inadequate labour supply. The study therefore calls for the design of
extension and training programmes for oil palm extractors, provision of
boreholes at palm oil extraction vicinities, and the mobilization of extractors
to form cooperatives, so as to capacitate them financially to acquire modern
extraction machines
Key words: Oil
palm, Cooperatives, extension training, Nigeria
TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF MECHANIZED ARABLE CROP FARMING
IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
1Kehinde A. L. and 2Awotide
D. O.
1Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Bowen University P.M.B 284, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria..Email: tjgreenk@yahoo.com
2Department of
Agricultural Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yewa Campus, Ayetoro, Ogun
State, Nigeria Email: w_awotide@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The study investigated factors responsible for
adoption of mechanized farming and technical efficiency level of adopters and
non-adopters of mechanized farming in Osun State. A multistage sampling
technique was used to randomly select 270 farmers in the study area. The Tobit
regression and stochastic frontier production function were used to analyze
information obtained from respondents. Results revealed that tractor use was positively
influenced by household size, access to extension services and grain output
equivalent while education, land area cultivated, stoniness negatively
influenced the probability of adopting mechanized farming. Furthermore, the
technical efficiency estimate of adopter and non-adopters of mechanized farming
showed no difference in their level of technical efficiency that was 80 percent
on average. The level of observed inefficiency was increased by slope,
stoniness and household size while age reduced technical inefficiency. It is
recommended that government should consolidate the present gains arising from
extension services. Also, environmental factors such as slope (topography) and
stoniness, which constituted major disincentives, could be overcome if government
and farmers can identify and open up newer areas of farmland for occupation by
farmers.
Keywords: arable
crops, farm mechanization, adoption, technical efficiency, Tobit regression.
DETERMINANTS OF PARTICIPATION IN FOREST WORK BY
MEMBERS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN OKPARA FOREST RESERVE, OYO STATE
Shittu A M. and K. A. Sangobanwo
Department of Agricultural Economics,
Faculty of Agricultural Management and Rural Development
College of Agricultural
Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University,
Yewa Campus, Ayetoro, Ogun State, Nigeria. Email: amshittu@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This
study examines determinants of participation in forest work by members of farm
households in communities around Okpara Forest Reserve, Oyo State as well as
its contributions to farm household income. The study was based on primary data
obtained in a cross section survey of 60 randomly selected households drawn
from 10 randomly selected communities in the study area. Personally
administered questionnaire / interview schedule was used to elicit information
on the socio-economic characteristics of the households, economic activities
undertaken by the households’ members in the farm, forest and non-farm sector
during the 2004/2005 production season, associated income, etc. Descriptive and
Tobit regression analyses reveal that: (1) As much as 63% of adult working
members of the sampled households participated in forest related activities,
principally as a supplementary source of income and not as their main
occupation. (2) Forest exploration
accounted for 18.58 % of the adult work hour and 4.64% farm household cash
income in the study area. (3) The main socio-economic factors that have
significant influence on the level of involvement of household members in
forest related activities include age, gender, main occupation of worker, level
of available social infrastructure, cost of travelling from the resident
community to the main forest area and wage rate in non-forest activities.
Keywords: Participation, Forest work, Farm households, Nigeria
