FAMAN Journal Volume 9 No 1 2007

FAMAN Journal Volume 9 No. 1, 2007

CROSS CATEGORICAL ANALYIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING AGRICULTURAL CREDIT DELIVERY DECISIONS BY COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN EDO AND DELTA STATES, NIGERIA

 

Alufohai, G. O. and Erhabor, P. O.

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, University of Benin, Benin City

 

ABSTRACT

The study examined the factors influencing farm credit delivery decisions by Cooperative Societies in Edo and Delta States. Primary data were obtained from 809 loan applications selected from 80 Cooperative Societies purposively selected from 16 LGAs with the assistance of the Ministries of Commerce and Industry. Descriptive statistics and the logit model were used to analyse the data. The results showed that all the Cooperative Societies were multipurpose, but with credit delivery as their major function. They had a male to female ration of 4:1 and a high loan approval rate of 95%. Gender, age and educational level were examined as factors influencing loan decisions. The results of the cross-categorical analysis of the 2x2x2x2 model showed that being a male above 40 years old with no formal education had the highest possible likelihood of increasing the probability of loan decision being positive. The combined effect of all the factors however showed high statistical significance with a Chi square (Χ²) value of 29.20 and a likelihood ratio (G²) of 35.01 at 1%. The study therefore concluded that the major factors influencing the loan delivery decision were gender and age as formal education did not seem to enhance he decision.

 

 

AFRICA GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (AGOA) AND AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

 

Akanji, O.O.

Trade and Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja

 

ABSTRACT

AGOA directs the President of the United States to convene an annual meeting between the U.S. government and representatives of eligible African countries and to prepare an annual report to Congress on U.S.trade and investment policies with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Currently, Angola, Gabon, Nigeria and South Africa- accounted for the bulk (84 percent) of U.S. total imports from SSA. Since the passage of AGOA, the business climate has improved for non-agricultural exports and growth in these sectors has made relatively low direct benefits to Africa’s poor. Consequently, expanding AGOA’s application to African agriculture would have a significant impact on reducing hunger and poverty and therefore, on improving overall conditions in SSA. As a result of inadequate technology availability to increase agricultural output in order to take advantage of AGOA after meeting domestic needs, it is necessary to encourage a synergic approach to farming such as the African integrated farming system.  Secondly, the paper posits that integrated agriculture will be cost effective in reducing the high cost structure of agricultural production in the SSA. AGOA should encourage and support African countries in the establishment and enforcement of effective laws, rules and regulations governing international trade and marketing. In conclusion the paper urged the U.S. government to adopt a comprehensive African policy, including a strengthened AGOA, increased development assistance, increased emphasis on agriculture and rural development, and a vigorous response to famine and civil conflicts.

 

Keywords: Africa, AGOA, United States, Agriculture

FISH FEED DEVELOPMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE FISH PRODUCTION IN AFRICA

George, F.O.A.  and Otubusin, S.O.

Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Combinations of three commercial digestive enzyme supplements (protease, carbohydrase and phytase) were added at the rate of 50g/kg to Fish:Soybean (50:50) meal diets to evaluate their effects on the efficiency of soybean meal as a substitute for fishmeal in practical diets for Clarias ganiepinus juveniles (9.38 + 0.04g) in a 30-day trial in in-door plastic tanks. Five diets were evaluated: T₁ (control, with fishmeal (i.e. 100:0 diet) as the sole protein source without enzyme); T₂ (fishmeal:soybean (50:50) without enzyme); T₃ (50:50 diet supplemented with protease and carbohydrase); T₄ (50:50 diet with phytase and carbohydrase) and T₅ (50:50 diet with protease and phytase). The fish were fed to satiation once daily at 9.00hrs. Results showed that all treatments supported the growth of Clarias gariepinus, as mean fish weight increased from 9.38 to 21.66g during the experimental period. No mortality was recorded under all the treatments during the experiment. Average daily growth (ADG) was highest (0.45g/fish/d) in fish fed diet T₃, followed by T₅ (0.43); T₁ (0.43); T₂ (0.41) and T₄ (0.33). Specific growth rate (SGR) was highest at 2.9% per day in T₅, followed by T₃, T₁, T₂ and T₄ with 2.88, 2.85, 2.79 and 2.43% per day respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lowest in T₁ (1.09), followed by T₅ (1.12), T₃ (1.14), T₂ (1.16) and T₄ (1.24) respectively. Results confirmed that the use on supplementary digestive enzymes significantly improved the efficiency of soybean-based diets, suggesting that highly efficient fish diets could be produced using plant protein sources, thereby reducing the use of scarce and expensive fish-meal as protein source in fish feeds.

POTENTIALS AND CHALLENGES OF COMMUNITY BANKS IN AGRIBUSINESS FINANCING FOR SMALL FARMERS IN JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE

 

Umar, A.G, Obiaga, P.C, Nwafor, O.E, Owa, O, Mbah, A, Akalumhe, C. and Maimuna, U.

Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Federal College Of Forestry, Jos

 

ABSTRACT

 

Capital is regarded as a major factor for expanding production and modernizing Agriculture. The need to provide it to farmers is inevitable because it is an instrument in fostering Agricultural development and for improving efficiency in the production process. The contemporary practice of agriculture requires capital support, which is a handicap to small farmers. A research was conducted in Jos South L.G.A to assess the effectiveness of rural credit delivery system of community banks to provide resources to poor farmers. A set of 65 data collection instruments was administered to farmers and bank officials in a multi-stage random selection technique. Descriptive statistics was adopted to analyse socio-economic characteristics of the farmers while inferential statistics was adopted to test the hypotheses of the study. Findings revealed that majority of the farmers are yet to benefit from community banks (88%). The result of the hypotheses test indicates that information gap, inadequate and timely supply of inputs of production, time of loan disbursement, value of loan package are all statistically significant to sourcing of credit from the bank by farmers. It is recommended that farmer friendly banking policy be adopted to encourage farmers to patronize community banks.

 

GENDER PARTICIPATION IN CASSAVA PROCESSING ACTIVITIES IN AYETORO AREA OF OGUN STATE

 

Fapojuwo O. E.

Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yewa Campus, Ayetoro

 

ABSTRACT

The research investigated gender participation in cassava processing activities in Ayetoro area of Ogun State.  Cassava is a staple food in Nigeria generally processed into “gari”, “lafun” and “fufu”.  Male and female processors participate in the various processing activities with the use of different processing techniques.  Purposive and random sampling techniques were adopted for the study.  Four villages were chosen and 240 respondents comprising of male and female processors in “gari”, “lafun” and “fufu” processing. The data were analyzed using both percentage distribution and analysis of variance.  The study reveals that 37.5% of male processors were between 41-50 years while 30.6% of female processor was between 31 – 40 years.  Majority (60.4%) of female processors were Christians while (50.0%) of the male processors were Muslim.  The household size of most of male processors (50.0%) ranges between 6-10 members while that of 56.9% of female processors range between 1 -5 members. The study further shows that 40.0% of female processors had no formal education compared to only 18.8% of their male counterpart.  The evidence from the study concludes that at p =0.05, there are significance difference between gender participation and their ages (F=3.73, p=0.05), religion (F=4.167, p=0.044), household size (F=4.454, p=0.037) and sources of cassava (F=12.17, p=0.001).  Also, significant difference exist between the attitude of male and female participating in cassava processing activities about the need for men’s strength (F=9.79, p=0.002), the availability of time on men’s part (F=5.01, p=0.03).  However, no significant difference exists between male and female participation based on constraints faced with different processing techniques they are using.  Finally, it is recommended that there is the need to motivate male participation in cassava processing activities, and that processing of agricultural products should not be seen as female job alone.

 

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BROILER PRODUCTION AT MIANGO PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

 

D.J.U. Kalla * G. Barrier***, U. Haruna**, M. Abubakar*, B.M. Hamidu** & N. Murtala**

 

Animal Production Programme*, Agricultural Economics and Extension Programme**

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B. 0248, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria

 

Formerly with: Works and Services Department*** Kent Academy, Miango, Plateau State

*Corresponding Author:  Email:demokalla71@yahoo.com

 

ABSTRACT

 

This paper evaluate the economics of broiler production at Miango, Plateau State, Nigeria using a – 9 years record (1992 – 2000).  During the period, 76 batches of broilers were reared to point of slaughter.  The results shows that the enterprise incurred an average total variable cost of N620,6333.31 out of which feeding cost, day old chicks (stock) and mortality cost represents 58.13%, 19.13% and of 9.64% of the total cost of production, respectively.  Total revenue within the period was estimated to be N763,969.44 which was mainly generated from the sales of broiler birds.  The gross margin was found to be N143,334.13 with N0.23 as the returns per naira invested in the enterprise.  Thus the broiler production is a profitable venture in the study area.

Key Words:  Broilers, Income, Investment & Profitability