Average Farm Research Articles

Differences in income, farm size and nutritional status between female and male farmers in a region of Haiti

IntroductionHaiti is the poorest country in the Americas and has the highest levels of gender inequality. It has high burdens of malnutrition and food insecurity. Our aim in this study was to investigate differences between female and male heads of farms in their farm's size and income and in their nutritional status.MethodsWe conducted a mixed-method study with a quantitative survey with 28 female and 80 male farmers and qualitative semi-structured interviews with seven women and 11 men, in nine rural communities, Plateau de Rochelois, Nippes, Haïti.ResultsWe found that significant inequalities existed between female and male heads of farms in this region of Haiti. Farm income was associated with farm size, with female farmers having on average smaller farms, and markedly lower farm incomes compared to male farmers, even after adjusting for the fact that their farms were smaller. Male farmers also had more access to seeds, financing and transportation to market. In addition, female farmers had markedly higher levels of overweight and obesity. In both male and female heads of farms around 1 in 20 were underweight.DiscussionThese findings complement those from other settings, showing that female farmers in low- and middle- income countries typically face severe challenges in accessing resources such as land, credit, and inputs, which can limit their productivity and income-generating potential. Gender sensitive interventions to promote farmer health, well-being and productivity are required.

RURAL WOMEN FARMERS PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN BAUCHI AND TAFAWA BALEWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF BAUCHI STATE

The Study analyzed rural women farmers’ participation in agricultural cooperative societies in Bauchi and Tafawa Balewa local government areas of Bauchi State. A Multi-Stage Sampling Technique was used to select 195 women farmers. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the average age of women farmers was 36.5 years and majority (55.4%) were married with an average household size of 13 persons. While most (81.0%) had crop farming as primary occupation and (29.1%) of the farmers had attained secondary education. The results showed that women farmers had average farming experience of 13 years with an average farm size of 6.6 hectares. The coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.723 implying that 72.3% of the variation participation in cooperative societies in the study accounted by the factors included in the model. Education, household size, membership duration, extension visit and access to credit were significant at p<0.001 in the level of participation while, primary occupation, amount of loan obtained and adult education were significant at p<0.05. Constraints affecting agricultural activities were; high cost of inputs (66.4%), inadequate capital (82.8%), and high cost of labour (91.1%). The study concluded that, It was discovered from the study that the majority of the women farmers were not too aged, meaning they are still active and productive, they were mainly married and were literate at least up to primary education level. However, their participation is limited by pressure from household head in the study. The study recommended that, cooperative principles like continuous education and training should be arranged in order to improve women’s participation in cooperative activities. More female extension workers should be trained to help female farmers.

IMPACT OF CASHLESS POLICY ENFORCEMENT AND NAIRA REDESIGN ON FRESH CATFISH MARKETING IN MAKURDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the impact of Cashless Policy Enforcement and Naira Redesign on Fresh Catfish Production and Marketing in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 100 respondents for the study. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and farm budgeting techniques. The result revealed that fresh catfish producers were in their productive age with mean age of 34years. Majority (76%) of the fresh catfish producers were males and 84% married. The average household size and farming experience were 5 persons and 6 years, respectively. The results of the profitability analysis of catfish marketing in the study area before and during the cashless policy enforcement and Naira redesign revealed that before the policy, the catfish producers’ total variable costs and total fixed costs were N1701379 and N665689.22, respectively, making a total cost of N2367068.22. The results further revealed that total revenue of N2659284.66 and a net farm income of N292216.440 were realised. The profitability ratio shows that for every one naira invested, the catfish producers made about 89 kobo. However, the result revealed that, amid the cashless policy enforcement and Naira redesign, the total variable cost and total fixed cost were N827791.66 and N712688.47, respectively, making a total cost of N1540475.13. The results revealed total revenue of N1650800 and a net farm income of N110384.87. The profitability ratio shows that for every one naira invested, the catfish producers made about 92 kobo. The result of the impact of catfish marketing on the income level of the marketers in the study area before and during the cashless policy enforcement and Naira redesign revealed that before the policy, 30%t of the catfish marketers had an income of over N300, 000. However, during the policy, only 26% of the catfish farmer marketers had an income of over N300, 000 and 15% had an income of less than N50, 000. The result of the constraints to catfish marketing before and during the cashless policy enforcement and Naira redesign revealed that before the policy, the most constraints to catfish marketing were high electric charges (12.3%) and lack of credit facilities (9.1%). However, during the policy, the most constraints to catfish marketing were inadequate capital (8.3%), seasonality of commodity (7.8%), high cost of feed (7.4%), high cost of production (7.3%), high cost of labour (7.3%) and low demand of product (7.0%). The study concluded that Catfish production and marketing in the study area was more profitable before the cashless policy enforcement and Naira redesign. The study recommended that provisions for agricultural incentives such as short and long-term loans, with a single digit interest rate for the marketers in order to solve the problem of lack of credit facility. Also, Marketers should form marketing cooperatives to increase their access to credit from financial institutions and hence alleviate the problem of inadequate capital.

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES ON MAIZE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY IN OTUKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the effects of climate change adaption strategies on maize production efficiency in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 100 respondents for the study. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). The results revealed that maize farmers were in their productive age with mean age of 31years. Majority (55%) of the maize farmers were married. The average household size, farm size and years of farming experience were 6 persons, 2.5 hectares and 8 years of experience in farming, respectively. The result on the climate change adaptation strategies used by the maize farming households revealed that most of the farmers adopted adjustment Improved/multiple varieties (17.6%), multiple planting dates (18%) and fertilizer application (20.6%) as climate change adaptation strategies in the study area. The result of predicted Stochastic Frontier model showed that the minimum and maximum technical efficiencies (TE) of the maize farmers were 0.11 and 0.98, respectively, with the mean efficiency of 0.88. This showed that if the efficiency of resources usage is increased by 12.0 percent, the maize farmers would operate on the production frontier given the existing technology. The result on the influence of climate change adaptation strategies used by maize farmers in the study area further revealed that the coefficient of farm size, fertilizer and agrochemicals had positive relationship with the value of maize output at P≤0.05, P≤0.10 and P≤0.01 levels, respectively. The result of the inefficiency model revealed that improved/multiple varieties and fertilizer application increased inefficiency of maize production at P≤0.05 and P≤0.10 levels, respectively, while alternative tillage practices decreased inefficiency of maize production at P≤0.01 level. The study concluded that maize production in the study area was not optimally efficient. The study recommended that farmers should be provided with credit facilities to help improve their capacity to adapt to climate change. Also, development partners should focus on awareness creation of farmers on better production techniques and climate change adaptation strategies through mass media and agricultural extension.

ASSESSMENT OF ANCHOR BORROWER PROGRAM AMONG MAIZE FARMERS IN KAURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed Anchor Borrower Program (ABP) among maize farmers in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling techniques consisting purposive and random sampling was used in selection of 157 farmers for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that maize farmers were age range of 30-39 with an average age of 41 years. It also revealed that (74.2%) of the farmers were male. The result further shows that majority (73.5%) of the farmers were married with an average of 22 years of farming experience. The result further reveals that majority (87.4%) of the farmers took farming as a major occupation. It also showed that 34.4% maize farmers had attended tertiary education as their level of education. Majority (89.56%) of the farmers acquired their land through inheritance, while majority (64.9%) of the farmers had farm size of 2.5 to 4 hectares with an average farm size of 2.5 hectares. Result further shows that 31.4% of the farmers acquired their loan through uptakers and 29.6% of them acquired their input through Bank of Agriculture. The results also revealed that majority (87.4%) of maize farmers had increase in income after using the loan. The results of regression analysis revealed that R2 was 0.365 meaning that 36.5% of the variation in the dependent variable was explained by the independent or explanatory variables included in the model. The coefficient of age and marital status has a negative and significant at a P<0.01 level of probability, farm size and land tenure had a positive coefficient and highly significant at P<0.01. The major constraints affecting farmers in anchor borrower programme were fluctuating of price, cumbersome process or stringent process, distance from financial institution, high Family expenditure and low productivity due to harsh weather condition. The study concluded that ABP enhanced the output and income of maize farmers in study area. Based on the finding, it is recommended that, all stringent conditions attached to access to loan for agricultural production should be removed, ABP facilitators should ensure timely disbursement of funds and input before planting commences.

FARMER TO CONSUMER – AN ONLINE SUPPLY CHAIN PROCESS SYSTEM USING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

Globally, the mango industry is one of the largest industrial sectors – also considered the backbone industry of the country’s agriculture sector. This sector mobilizes key industrial activities of many economies, such as agriculture, production, handling, storage, logistics, certification, and packing of a variety of mangoes (e.g., with over 1,500 varieties, of which at least 30 are grown commercially in Pakistan). From local, regional, and national, to international levels, many businesses in this sector are involved in extensive mango supply networks fulfilling the demands of many consumers and markets (e.g., B2B, B2C, etc.) locally worldwide. Currently, 43% of total farmers in Pakistan are smallholder farmers, as they possess less than 2.6 hectares of land. Intermediaries dominate the entire supply chain in Pakistan, due to which small to average farmers face several challenges. This can be avoided by developing a user-friendly system to link farmers directly to the market or consumers. The proposed system identifies the gaps in the process model of Pakistan’s mango supply chain system. It creates a platform to link farmers directly to the market or consumers through a seamless online system using blockchain technology for performing reliable transactions using smart contracts. The proposed system is implemented through Ethereum, a permissioned blockchain network using Smart Contracts. It is a distributed ledger accessible to participants of the supply chain with permission to ensure the trust and authenticity of the information. By using this system, the farmers will attain increased profit through direct access to retailers, consumers, and the international market.

Status quo of fertilization strategies and nutrient farm gate budgets on stockless organic vegetable farms in Germany

Fertilizer management in stockless organic vegetable production is strongly affected by external nutrient purchases due to the high nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) requirements of vegetables. However, the database on nutrient flows and budgets in organic vegetable farming in Europe is very limited. Therefore, a survey based on semi-structured interviews was carried out comprising 12 organic horticultural farms in Germany. The results show that three different main fertilizer categories are used as inputs in different ratios by the inventoried farms: (1) base fertilizers (e.g., composts, solid farmyard manures), (2) commercial organic N fertilizers (e.g., keratins or plant products from food production or fermentation processes), and (3) commercial mineral fertilizers (e.g., potassium sulfate), all of which are approved for organic production. Ninety percent of the total nutrient inputs to the farms came from these fertilizers and biological N2 fixation, with the remaining 10% coming from other inputs, such as seeds or growing media. The estimated yearly average total farm budgets were nearly balanced across all farms with moderate surpluses (67.5 kg N ha−1, 2.06 kg P ha−1, and 0.26 kg K ha−1). However, large imbalances were found for most of the individual farms. These imbalances indicate the risk of nutrient accumulation or nutrient depletion in the soil, depending on the fertilization strategy and productivity of the farm. More specifically, increasing N share from base fertilizers led to increased P and K budgets, while strategies based on the use of large amounts of keratins led to the opposite—K and P depletion. We concluded that balanced nutrient management in organic vegetable production systems requires a thorough calculation and should combine the use of base fertilizers, commercial fertilizers with low P content, and increased N supply via BNF.

How Do Arable Crop Farmers’ Adapt to Climate Change? New Evidence from Nigeria

In Nigeria, climate change is not a new phenomenon and arable crop production is vulnerable to climate change. Arable crop farmers have always responded to climate change with local strategies believed to be climate-smart. Arable crop farmers' knowledge of climate change is an important step in understanding any action to be taken to reduce its effect. However, empirical studies on the link between climate change and crop farmers’ adaptation strategies are still relatively scanty in the area. This presents a dearth in research. Therefore, our paper examined how arable crop farmers adapt to climate change using cross-sectional data obtained through a structured focused group discussion and questionnaire from 120 arable farmers across critical farming communities in Imo State, Nigeria. We utilized multistage and purposive sampling procedure in the selection of arable crop farmers. The reason we utilized purposive sampling procedure was to select areas with high intensity of arable crop farmers and farming. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and mean (x̄) score analysis. Our result shows that the mean age was 42.00 years. Greater proportions (73.00%) were female. The average farm size was 1.45 hectares. Vegetables (100.00%), maize (99.17%), cassava (98.33%) and rice (96.67%) were among the crops produced in the area. The result confirmed the incidence of climate change in the area and farmers perceived rightly the direction of the change, which includes declining crop yields (x̄ = 3.00; σ = 0.50), increased in new pests and diseases infestation (x̄= 2.88; σ = 0.58); unstable decrease and increase in temperature and rainfall (x̄=3.63, σ = 0.83) among others. Our study further shows that the major climate change adaptation measures farmers practiced were diversification of livelihood (99.17%) and changing planting/harvesting dates (97.50%). Farmers identified inadequate information (99.17) and inadequate climate change adaptation fund (98.33%) among others as the barriers they faced in adapting to climate change in the area. We recommend that, since arable crop farmers are members of cooperatives, they are encouraged to take advantage of their strength to collectively project a common demand in obtaining funds and other necessary inputs in adapting to climate change in the area. Finally, our study also suggests that the agricultural extension service system should be strengthened so as to provide farmers with stable and right early warning signs which will be critical in minimizing risks of climatic threats in the area.

Effect of financial inclusion on market participation of rice farmer’s cooperative members in Anambra State

This study on the effect of financial inclusion on market participation of rice farmer’s cooperative members in Anambra State, Nigeria used a combination of analytical tools like descriptive statistics, beta, and linear regression models to operationalize the data collected from a random sampling of 328 respondents. Descriptively, the study found that the majority of the respondents had access to savings accounts (87.0%) and point of sales (85.0%). Additionally, 81.0% confirmed the availability of microfinance bank (MFB) services, highlighting the extensive presence of MFBs in Anambra State. The study also delves into the market participation of rice farmers. The average farm size for the cooperative was found to be 9.85 hectares, producing an output of 39.73 tons. A high market participation index (0.848) showed that 84.8% of the total rice output was offered for sale. Furthermore, the result of the beta regression analysis revealed that online banking or self-service platforms (0.097), and microfinance services (0.180) positively influence farmer's decisions to participate in the market. Furthermore, cooperative age, legal status, and gender significantly determined the use of these financial products. It was also discovered that various challenges faced by farmers for financial inclusion, such as high interest rates and poor internet services hamper on market participation ability of the farmers. The study therefore recommends that financial institution should revise their interest rate to help accommodate a diverse range of rice farmers.

To Reform and to Procure: An Analysis of the Role of the State and the Market in Indian Agriculture

Since the early 2000s, some Indian states started allowing private traders to buy directly from farmers outside the state-regulated market system. The experience of these states can shed light on the impact of market-oriented reforms and the role of public procurement. Using individual-level National Sample Survey Data on agricultural wages and a new dataset on state-level average real farm income per cultivator for 18 major Indian states between 1987–2012, this paper shows, using both a difference-in-difference and a triple difference framework, that marketing reforms alone did not contribute to higher farm incomes and agricultural wages. However, when these reforms were coupled with public procurement at the minimum support price, farm incomes and agricultural wages significantly improved. Our results suggest that market-reforms and public procurement at minimum support prices were complements which together contributed to raising rural incomes in states like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.

Analisis Pendapatan Petani Karet di Dusun Sei Jera Desa Sungai Landai Kecamatan Mestong

This study aims to determine how the characteristics of rubber farmers in Sei Jerat Sub-Village and analyze how the income of rubber farmers in Sei Jerat Sub-Village. The type of data collected is questionnaire data and direct interviews to the field. The population in this study was the community in Sei Jerat Hamlet with a total of 544 people. Determination of the sample is done using Random Sampling as many as 80 respondents who have a rubber plantation farming business. The results of the research from 80 people the number of respondents the average farm income per person is Rp 24,141,120 / year with total fixed and non-fixed costs of Rp 5,475,181 / person / year then the total income per person is Rp 18,683,939 / year and the average income per person is Rp 1,557,078 / month rubber farming income in the research location is lower than the minimum wage of Jambi Province.

Contribution of poultry farming to households’ welfare: A case of enterprise diversification strategy by livestock farmers in Abuja, Nigeria

The study assessed the contribution of poultry farming to households’ welfare in Abuja, Nigeria. Multistage sampling was used in selecting the respondents and data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that average age, household size, farm size and farm experience were 43.30 years, 6 persons, 869 birds and 8.01 years respectively. Additionally, the study found that poultry farming was profitable based on an average earned income of N397,768.36. It was found that the income realized from poultry farming helped in alleviating the poverty status of the farmers. Furthermore, results of the logistic regression revealed that farmers’ age, household size, years of farming experience, educational level and income had significant influences on the income earned from poultry farming. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that there is need for farmers to be vigilant and at all times be on the watch so that any suspected sick birds should be isolated from the others and that government should intervene to subsidize farm inputs such as feeds and vaccines so that they should not only be affordable but also try to stabilize their prices for the farmers.

Utilisation of weather forecast information amongst maize farmers in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

This study investigated the use of weather forecast information (WFI) as an adaptation measure of climate change among maize farmers in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents for this study. A questionnaire survey was used to obtain data, summarized and presented by using tables, frequency counts, percentages and means while Chi-square and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the relationships between variables. Results showed that the mean age, household size, farming experience, average annual income and farm size were 44.9 years, 8 people, 23.2 years, N692,583.3 and 5.0 ha respectively. Also, radio (95.8%) and fellow farmers (94.2%) were the key sources by which the respondents accessed weather forecast information. Half (50 %) of the respondents had a favourable perception towards WFI. Also, 55.8% of the respondents had high usage of WFI. However, its usage was impeded by poor agricultural extension service (=3.58), inadequate extension training on weather forecast (=3.42), lack of assistance in interpreting WFI (=3.40), inadequate electric power supply (=3.28), inadequate knowledge of WFI (=3.16), language barrier (=3.05) and untimeliness of WFI (=3.04). Statistically, there existed a significant association between the respondents’ land ownership and the utilisation of WFI (ꭓ2=13.218, p<0.01). Pearson correlation result revealed a significant relationship (p˂0.01) between maize farmers’ perception of WFI and its utilisation. (r=0.445, p<0.01). For improved adaptation to climate change in the study area, the study suggested an improved agricultural extension service to which could be achieved through the provision of climate field schools to improve farmers’ comprehension, interpretation, and utilisation of WFI.

Impact of access to cash remittances on cocoa yield in Southwestern Nigeria

Access to cash remittances has a positive impact on the food security of people living in developing countries. However, little is known about the impact of access to cash remittances concerning cocoa yield. Therefore, the study investigates the impact of access to cash remittances on cocoa yield. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 300 cocoa farming households for the study. The data were analysed using the exponential double hurdle model (Churdle) estimation process, inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA), and endogenous switching regression model (ESRM). According to the ATU estimate, the average farmer would produce a yield of 0.824 times more when he/she has access to cash remittances. The conditional treatment effect (ATT), which assesses the impact of access to cash remittances on cocoa yield, was correspondingly approximately 0.828 and statistically significant at 1 %. As a result, the typical farmer who has access to cash remittances would produce a yield that is 0.828 times more than it would be if he/she did not have access to cash remittances. The study found that access to cash remittances has a positive impact on cocoa yield among farmers in rural Nigeria after adjusting for both observable and unobserved factors.

A comparison of operator and financial characteristics of U.S. beef cow‐calf producers by race

AbstractThis study compares financial characteristics of U.S. beef cow‐calf farms by race and highlights potential challenges faced by minority farms based on the historical context in which they operate. We find that, in 2018, factors related to farm size and inefficiencies in generating returns contributed to racial disparities in the profitability of beef cow‐calf farms. Relative to White cow‐calf farms, on average, African American and Native American farms had less acreage, value of production, and net farm income but a higher share at financial risk due to inefficiencies. More research is needed to understand racial differences in farm financial performance.

Too close to the sun: solar farms’ impact on housing prices at subtropical latitudes

ABSTRACT While the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy will benefit many constituencies, recent work suggests that newly activated solar panels may negatively impact nearby housing prices. Although a single mechanism driving these effects has not been causally identified, alternative explanations posit that homes near solar farms lose value either due to glare or the loss of open space amenities and associated rural character. We supplement this literature with an analysis distinguished by a unique sample with the most equatorial location to date and the largest average solar farm (26 MW), allowing for a careful investigation of the role of size and glare in the capitalization of solar farm proximity. Using hedonic analysis, manually traced solar farm footprints, and difference-in-differences identification, we find a 6.86% negative capitalization of solar farm proximity that does not appear to be attributable to glare and is driven by the impacts of very large solar farms. The results are robust to concerns of negative weights associated with bad controls. To limit economic losses associated with the renewable energy transition, solar farms should be strategically located to minimize the number of nearby homes regardless of whether glare is likely to be a concern.

Perbandingan Pendapatan Usahatani Sayuran Dataran Tinggi Kentang Dan Bawang Daun Di Desa Sinsingon Barat Kecamatan Passi Timur Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow

This study aims to calculate the income of potato and green onion upland vegetable farming in West Sinsingon Village, East Passi District, Bolaang Mongondow Regency in one growing season. This study uses data from the growing season from October 2022 to January 2023. The total samples are 10 potato farmer samples and 10 leek farmer samples. Data were analyzed using mathematical calculations using the formula: I = R-C (I = Income, R = Revenue, and C = Expenditures). The research results showed that the average potato farming production was 20.827.59 kg. The average selling price of potatoes is IDR 13.000/kg, resulting in an average income of IDR 191.775.135.72/hectare. The average leek farming income produces a production of 12.585.03 kg. The average selling price is IDR 9.000/kg, resulting in an average income of IDR 51.493.375.11/hectare. Potato farming and leek farming in West Sinsingon Village, East Passi District are profitable. The average income from potato farming is relatively higher than the average income from leek farming with a difference of IDR 140.281.760.61/hectare/planting season.

Analisis Pendapatan Usahatani Padi Sawah Di Desa Mongkoinit Kecamatan Lolak Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow

This study aims to calculate and analyze the income of paddy rice farming in Mongkoinit Village, Lolak District, Bolaang Mongondow Regency. The research was carried out for 3 months, from May 2023 to July 2023 starting from preparation to preparation of a research report The data used in this study are primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained in the research field, namely from interviews with paddy rice farmers, while secondary data were obtained from agencies related to the research.The sample used is purposive sampling (intentionally). Farmers who were sampled were 10 respondents Based on the results of the study, it was shown that the average income of paddy rice farming obtained by farmers in Mongkoinit Village was Rp. 207,500,000 with an average income per hectare of Rp. 20,750,000 The average cost of paddy rice farming costs IDR 115,111,750. With an average cost per farmer of Rp. 11,511,750. Thus, the average rice farming income earned by farmers in 1 planting season in Mongkoinit Village is Rp. 92,388,250 with an average farmer income of Rp. 9,238,825 R/C Ratio, which is 1.80 which is greaterthan 1, indicating that this lowland rice farming is profitable and feasible to cultivate.

THE PROFIT EFFICIENCY OF MORINGA OLEIFERA PRODUCTION IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the profit efficiency of Moringa oleifera production by farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 150 respondents. Multistage sampling procedure was used for selecting respondents. The data were analyzed with the aid of descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and stochastic frontier production function. The findings revealed that male predominate moringa enterprise with about 55.3% male, most producers fall between the age bracket 41-50years with a mean age of 44.92 (± 13.168) years and the average farm size is 0.3 hectares whilst indicating that most producers had less than 0.1 hectares of land. Moringa production had a benefit cost ratio of ₦5.852, profit margin of ₦0.182, expense structure ratio of ₦0.107, net return on investment ₦4.857, rate of return of ₦5.482 and profitability ratio of ₦0.981. The average profit efficiency of moringa producers was 18.73% on the profit frontier. Family labour, hired labour and transport cost were significant and had positive coefficient while the seed cost, pesticide cost, level of education and farm size are also significant but bears negative coefficient. The level of education and farm size are amongst the inefficiency variables considered. This study concludes that Moringa oleifera production is highly profitable but producers have not been able to maximize profit efficiency. It therefore recommends that producers improve on adding value to moringa products and extend their channels of distribution considering the cost incurred on transportation.

ADOPTION OF IMPROVED PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG RICE FARMERS IN WASE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed adoption of improved production technologies among rice farmers’ in Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used in the selection of 160 respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics, four point Likert scale and Logit regression were used to achieve the objectives of the study. Findings from the study revealed the mean age of the farmers to be 40years. Majority (67%) of the respondents were males and 91% of them married. 44% of the respondents had secondary education and a mean farming experience of 8 years. Majority (64%) of the respondents had farming as their major occupation on average farm sizes of 1.6 hectares. The mean annual income of the farmers was N 202,356. Improved rice production technologies such as appropriate time of harvesting (3.44), land preparation by tractors (3.42), recommended time of weeding (3.41), appropriate planting dates (3.25), use of herbicides (3.24), improved seed varieties (3.11), application of recommended fertilizer (3.05), nursery practice and transplanting (2.73) all had high levels of awareness and adoption respectively among the farmers. Age, educational status, farming experience, farm size, extension contact and annual income were significant determinant of adoption of improved rice production technologies. High cost of technology (69%), inadequate extension contact (61%) inadequate credit access (48%) and lack of accessibility of some technologies (28.0) were the major constraints affecting adoption of improved rice production technologies. The study recommended the subsidization of inputs (improved seeds, fertilizers and agro-chemicals) by government to reduce cost of production.