Volume 11 No. 1, 2010
EFFECT OF
GOVERNMENT SPENDING ON AGRICULTURAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) IN NIGERIA
Omojimite, B. U.
Delta State
University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria Email: buomojimite@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study examined the effects of public investment spending on
agricultural GDP in Nigeria. The effects of macroeconomic policies, proxy by
bank interest rates and bank credit to the agricultural sector was also
investigated using data covering the period 1970-2005. The Granger-Engle
cointegration methodology was adopted in estimating the specified models. The
findings show that public expenditure (Recurrent and Capital) is
growth-augmenting in the agricultural sector. The study also shows that
macroeconomic policies did not impact on agricultural GDP during the period
under study. The study therefore
recommends an increase in government spending in the agricultural sector and to
liberalised access to funding in the agricultural sector.
Keywords: Government spending, Agriculture, GDP, Nigeria
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
OF YAM BEETLES INFESTATION IN OSHIMILI NORTH AREA OF DELTA STATE
O. E.
Inoni
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Delta State
University, Asaba Campus, Asaba, Delta State. Email:inoniemma2003@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Using survey data obtained from a cross-section of 120
small-scale yam farmers, the paper analysed the effects of yam beetles
infestation in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State. The demographic profile of
respondents showed that farmers in the area were within the active workforce
with a mean age of 42 years, and about 41% of them either attempted or
completed secondary school. Damage to yam beetles ranged from 27.69% to 39.72%
with a mean beetle attack rate of 32.69% that caused a loss of tubers worth N1.09million
in market value. High cost of pesticides and cost of equipment and labour were
reported as major obstacles to the effective control of yam tuber beetles.
Regression results indicated that planting date and cost of pesticides had
negative and statistically significant effects (p<0.01) on value of yams
lost to beetles, in conformity with a priori expectations. The elasticity estimates showed that a 1
percentage delay in planting date will reduce yam loss due to beetles attack by
7%, while a proportionate increase in the quantity of pesticides used will
reduce the quantity of yams lost to beetles by 5.4%. Therefore a combination of
planting dates manipulation and a programme of pesticides application that will
drastically control the attack of yam tuber beetles and enhance farmers’ income
is recommended.
Keywords: Yam production, Yam tuber beetles, Market value
RESOURCE
UTILIZATION EFFICIENCY OF BROILER ENTERPRISES IN MINNA MUNICIPAL
Tanko, L.1,
J.N.Mba1 and Sanchi, D.I.2,
1. Department of
Agricultural Economics and Extension. Technology, Federal University of
Technology, P.M.B. 65, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
2. Department of
Agricultural Extension and Management, College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 1018,
Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Email: unekmelikita@yahoo.co.uk,
ABSTRACT
This study estimated broiler production function based on
primary data obtained from broiler enterprises around Minna municipality of
Niger State in the Middle Belt of Nigeria in 2008. The data were analyzed using
the ordinary least squares regression methods. Data were fitted to the linear,
double log, semi log and exponential functional forms. The double log was
chosen as the lead equation. The regression analysis showed that foundation
stock, feed and other inputs have significant positive effects on the value of
output. Allocative efficiency indices indicated that farmers were inefficient
in allocating all the production inputs and recommended that the resources be
allocated more efficiently to maximize returns.
Keywords: Resource efficiency, Broiler production, Nigeria
ACCESSIBILITY TO PRODUCTION INNOVATION AMONG SMALLHOLDER RUBBER FARMERS
IN EDO AND DELTA STATES OF NIGERIA
Giroh, D. Y.1,
V. Wuranti2, P. Ogwuche1 and F.O. Igbinosa1
1.Farming Systems
Research and Extension Department, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, PMB
1049, Benin City, Nigeria. Email: girohydengle@yahoo.com
2. Rubber Research
Institute of Nigeria, Experimental Station Manchok, Southern Kaduna, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The accessibility to production innovation among smallholder rubber
farmers in Nigeria was studied by selecting 54 rubber farmers through a multi
stage, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data collected were
analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Likert model). Results
indicated that all of the farmers are literate and had one form of formal
education or the other, 81.48% adopted intercropping of rubber with cassava,
melon, and maize as the major crops. Farmers cultivated small to medium scale
hectares with a mean of 3.69 hectare.
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) is the major source of
information and source of production innovation. Likert analysis also revealed
that poor prices of rubber, inadequate credit facilities, labour scarcity and
inadequate research and extension support are significant factors that affect
acquisition of rubber innovation.
Recommendations to overcome the identified constraints were made.
Keywords:
Accessibility, production innovation, smallholder farmers, rubber belt
TRADERS’ PERCEPTION OF THE STRUCTURE, CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE OF THE LETTUCE MARKET IN IBADAN METROPOLIS
*Usman J. M.1,
Adeoye I. B2., Adebisi-Adelani O.2, and Mafimisebi T. E3
1. Federal College of Forestry, P.M.B. 5087,
Ibadan, Nigeria. Email: usmanj05@yahoo.com
2. National
Horticultural Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 5432, Ibadan, Nigeria
3. Department of
Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University of Technology, Akure,
Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The study ascertained the perception of lettuce traders towards
the structure, conduct and performance of lettuce markets in Ibadan Metropolis.
Primary data for the study was collected through a structured questionnaire.
Total sampling of the questionnaire in the different study areas were carried
out. Results shows that 80% of lettuce traders were male and between the ages
of 20 – 25 years. 43.3% of the traders were single and 43.3% had secondary
education, while 66.7% of the lettuce traders were retailers. The lettuce
traders confirmed that they sell more during the months of October to December.
The lettuce traders make an average income of N20,
000.00 and above per month and 86.7% of the traders buy lettuce directly from
the farmers. However, preservation
problem is the main constraint of trading in lettuce. Budgetary analysis
revealed that lettuce marketing in the study areas was efficient since the values
of marketing efficiency were more than 1. Gini coefficient for lettuce traders
obtained from the study was 0.562. This
implies that lettuce market is imperfectly competitive with the market
structure inclining towards monopoly. It
is recommended that adequate storage facilities should be provided for the
lettuce trading. It was also recommended that the lettuce traders should be
educated about specific areas of marketing such as storage processing and
grading and finally that the Oyo State Government should help improve the
production, processing and marketing of lettuce in Ibadan metropolis.
Keywords: Market structure, conduct performance, Ibadan
metropolis, imperfect market.
INFLUENCE OF
WOMEN-IN-AGRICULTURE SUB-PROGRAMME ON THE UPTAKE OF POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGIES BY
WOMEN-FARMERS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
Nor, M. L1.
Ajayi, A. R1. And Adebayo, K2.
1.
Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria
Nsukka, Nigeria. Email: adefioye2003@yahoo.com
2.
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development,
University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Abstract
The study assessed the impact of post harvest innovations
transferred by the Women-in-Agriculture (WIA) sub-programme of the Benue State
Agricultural Development Programme. Data for the study were collected from 38
respondents through the use of structured interview schedule. Frequency
distribution, percentage, mean and Chi – Square statistics were used in the
analysis of the data. The findings revealed that there were strong linkages
between the women–farmers and the various (national/international) development
agencies. Different types of assistance (e.g. soft loans to start–off
businesses and trades; donation of improved cassava planting materials,
peelers, graters, pressers and fryers; fish kilns; water pumps; and donation of
generators; etc.). There were significant associations between the level of
knowledge((X2 = 14.4; P ≤ 0.05; df = 3), estimated annual income(X2
= 7.5; P ≤ 0.05; df = 4), accessibility to medical care(X2 = 4.0; P
≤ 0.05; df = 3),ease of payment of children’s school fees(X2 = 8.3;
P ≤ 0.05; df = 3), rate of protein consumption per week(X2 = 5.2; P
≤ 0.05; df = 3) and capability to hire farm labour (X2 = 1.4; P ≤
0.05; df = 2) by the women – farmers and their participation in the post
harvest sub-programme of WIA. The major problems that militated against
effective utilization of the disseminated post harvest innovations included
lack of decision – making power by the women as a result of over dependence on
their husbands (92.1%), improper handling of preservation chemicals (84.2%),
high cost of agro – chemicals (73.7%), poor road network (73.7%), and
non-fulfilment or late-fulfilment of pledges by government and non–governmental
organizations as well as development agencies. It was recommended that the
government should come up sustainable strategies to alleviate many of the
observed problems.
Keywords: Post harvest technologies, Women-in–agriculture,
Women-farmers, Agricultural development programme
EFFECTS OF LIGHT
QUALITY, LIGHT DURATION AND AMOUNT OF MOISTURE ON THE GERMINATION AND SEEDLING
GROWTH OF SAMCOT 8 COTTON (Gossypium
hirsutum L.)
KUTAMA, A. S.1;
ABUBAKAR, S. N1. and UMAR, M. L.2
1.
Department of Biological Sciences, Bayero University, Kano,
Nigeria. E-mail: kutamasak@yahoo.com
2.
Department of Plant Science, Institute for Agricultural
Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. E-mail: mahammadlawan@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Pot experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of
light quality, light duration and varying amount of moisture on the germination
and subsequent seedling growth of an improved cotton variety, SAMCOT 8. The
experiments were arranged in a Completely Randomized Block Design with three
replications. Results of the investigation have shown that germination and most
growth parameters were significantly (P<0.05) different between the
different treatments and control. Germination rate was higher in cotton seeds
treated under extended light period and optimum amount of moisture throughout
the study. This suggests that cotton requires optimum moisture and extended
photoperiod, implying that the crop is a long-day plant. It is therefore pertinent
that the crop may likely yield best under extended light period and optimum
moisture pending further research on yield.
Key words: SAMCOT 8
cotton, moisture, light, germination, seedling growth
SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS DETERMINING IMPROVED SOYBEAN SEEDS TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION IN
BORNO STATE, NIGERIA
Idrisa, Y.L,
Ogunbameru, B.O. and Amaza P.S.
Department of
Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
Email: idrisaysf@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study examined the determinants of adoption of improved
soybean seeds as production technology among farmers in southern Borno State.
Data for the study were obtained from 360 respondents selected through
multi-stage sampling procedure. The purposive and random sampling techniques
were employed at the various stages of selection. Inferential statistical
technique - the Tobit model was used to estimate the extent of adoption of
improved soybean seeds by the respondents. Socio-economic characteristics such
as farm size, household size and educational level of the respondents
significantly (ρ≤ 0.05) influenced the extent of adoption of soybean seed as a
production technology. The main institutional factor that significantly
influenced the extent of adoption of improved soybean seed as a production
technology in the study area is distance to source of improved soybean seed (ρ≤
0.01). Other factors such as extension contact (ρ≤ 0.05) and access to credit
by farmers (ρ≤ 0.05) were also important in influencing the extent of adoption
of improved soybean seed by farmers in the study area. It was therefore
recommended that: Government should expedite its enforcement of the
Land-Use-Act and give enough land to persons that are willing to grow soybean;
Improved agricultural technologies in form of improved soybean seed should be
made available to farmers; Extension service should be strengthened so as to
expose farmers to modern farming techniques and improved technologies through
educational programmes; Extension service should also encourage rural people to
use soybean as household food item as this will go a long way in popularizing
soybean. Farmers should also be provided with high-yielding varieties of
soybean.
Keywords: Siybeans, Seed technology, Adoption, Nigeria
ACCESS AND LOAN
REPAYMENT IN THE DELTA STATE AGRICULTURAL LOAN SCHEME
Ike P.C.
Department of
Agricultural Economics, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Nigeria
Email: ikepeecee@yahoo.com
Abstract
This study investigated access and loan repayment among
beneficiaries in the Delta State Agricultural Loan Scheme. This was achieved by ascertaining the
socioeconomic characteristics of the loan beneficiaries, the volume of loan
demanded, disbursed and repaid, the effects of beneficiaries’ socioeconomic
factors on the volume of loan acquired and the constraints in accessing the
loan. This was done by administering
questionnaire to 120 loan beneficiaries randomly selected from Delta
State. The findings showed that the loan
beneficiaries had average family size of six, average farm holdings of less
than one hectare and very low educational background. The loan disbursement was not adequate and
was not accessible to genuine farmers while loan repayment was generally
low. Educational attainment, farm size,
income and interest rate had significant effects on the volume of loan
demanded. The educational level,
processing cost, delay in disbursement, political interference and change in
the administration of loan disbursing authority were major constrains in the
loan scheme. It was recommended that
there should be increased government allocation of funds to the scheme. Efforts on the part of the government to
improve the scheme should include provision of timely credit, sufficient staff
motivation, provision of adequate logistics, reduction of bureaucracy and
avoidance of political interference.
Keywords: Loan repayment, Loan access, Loan scheme, Nigeria
COSTS AND RETURNS
TO ARTISANAL FISHING IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
Inoni, O. E.
Department of
Agricultural Economics and Extension, Delta State University, Asaba Campus,
Asaba. Delta State, Nigeria. Email: inoniemma2003@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The paper examined the profitability of small-scale fishing by
determining the cost and returns in artisanal fishing in Delta State, Nigeria.
The results showed that average fixed costs and average variable costs were N116,
005.14/fisher/year (US$906.29) and N181,877.56/fisher/year (US$1,420.92) respectively. Fishing crafts and
gears accounted for 35.16% of total costs of production; while labour, fuel,
and repair and maintenance made up 46.92% of total costs. While net
margin/fisher/year was N111, 677.62
(US$872.48) for the study area, it was N140,
492.74(US$1,097.60) among motorised units and N84,
012.15 (US$656.34) for fishers in the non-motorised segment. Net margin-to-cost
ratio was 34% in the motorised sector, 45% in the non-motorised segment, and
37% for the entire area studied. Return-on-sales were 25%, 31% and 27%
respectively amongst motorised units, non-motorised units, and the entire area
of study. Results of regression analyses showed that household demographic and
economic variables such as household size, gender of fisher, labour, and
non-fishing income significantly determined (p<0.05) fish catch in
consonance with a priori expectations. While the elasticity of fish catch with
respect to labour utilisation was strong and positive it was negative for
non-fishing income.
Keywords: Small-scale fishing, Profitability
ratios, Output elasticity, Nigeria
ROLE OF FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS IN FINANCING ARABLE CROP PRODUCTION IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Tanko, L.1, Sanchi, D.I.2 and Derek, J.L.1
1.
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology, Federal
University of Technology, P.M.B 65, Minna, Niger State. Nigeria
2. Department of Agricultural Extension and
Management, College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 1018, Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
The study examined the role of financial institutions in
financing arable crop production in Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State,
Nigeria with reference to the agricultural credit schemes of Nigeria
Agricultural Co-operative and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB) and Union Bank of
Nigeria (UBN) Plc, Minna branches respectively during the 2007 cropping season.
Records of loan disbursement activities of the financial institutions were
obtained for the period 2005 to 2007. Primary data on the output of selected
arable crops were collected. The credit variable had a positive and significant
effect on the total value of output at 1% level of significance with an
estimated regression coefficient of 0.1743. It is recommended that policies
directed at consolidating farmers’ holdings through the formation of farmers’
cooperatives to facilitate their access to agricultural credit so as to boost
their earnings and improve their livelihoods be formulated.
