Mean Household Size Research Articles

Effect of Market Access on the Adoption of Sustainable Soil Management Practices in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study examined the effect of market access on the adoption of sustainable soil management practices by farmers in the study area. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers; identified the sustainable soil management practices adopted by the farmers; determined factors influencing the choice of sustainable soil management practices used; determined the relationship between market access and the adoption intensity of sustainable soil management practices and identified constraints faced in adopting sustainable soil management practices. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to collect data from one hundred and fifty (150) farmers. Thereafter, data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit regression. The findings revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 45 years, with a mean household size of about 6 members. Majority (69.6%) of the respondents had formal education and a mean year of experience of about 18. The study also revealed that all the respondents had access to one form of market or the other for purchase of inputs and sales of their products. In addition, the mean distance covered from farm to home was less than 5 kilometres for most of the respondents while the distance from home to major market and farm to major market was between 5 and 10 kilometres. The most popular sustainable soil management practices adopted by the farmers were the use of chemical fertilizers, crop rotation and intercropping. Furthermore, the multivariate probit regression model showed that age of the respondents, educational level, farm size, household size, farming experience, farm income, awareness of sustainable soil management practices, average distance to the input market, average distance to the output market, average price of product, average price of input for each practice, subsidies on input for each practice, significantly influenced the adoption of sustainable soil management practice by farmers. Also, it was found by the study that inadequate fund is the major constraint faced by the respondents in adopting sustainable soil management practices.

ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG ABATTOIR WORKERS IN DUNUKOFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the adoption level of improved management practices among abattoir workers in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting one hundred and twenty (120) respondents that were used in the study. Data were collected through primary source, using a well-structured questionnaire, and data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage and mean score. The majority (85%) of the abattoir workers were males, 45% fell between the ages of 31 and 40 years while the majority (70%) of the workers were married. A greater proportion (57.50%) attended primary school education, while 60% had a household size of between 6 and 10 persons with a mean household size of 8 persons. The study revealed that slaughtering of animals (x̅=3.67), emergency slaughter services (x̅=3.67), unloading of animals (x̅=3.46), identification of animals (x̅=3.10), training of butchers (x̅=3.08), rearing of cattle (x̅=2.93) and buying and selling of cattle (x̅=2.63) were the services rendered by the abattoirs in the area. The result shows that the improved management practices adopted by the abattoir workers were safety wears (x̅=3.56), hand washing facilities (x̅=3.25), usage of clean water supply during washing of meat (x̅=2.93), improved state of lairage (x̅=2.72), efficient odor management methods (x̅=2.63), ante-mortem inspection (x̅=2.55), and better heating system (x̅=2.53). Whereas, improper storage of left over carcass (x̅=3.56), improper waste management (x̅=3.23), unclean environment (x̅=3.22), poor welfare of animals (x̅=3.08), careless evisceration (x̅=3.03), usage of tires and plastic materials in flaying animal (x̅=2.93), outbreak of diseases (x̅=2.88), washing of meat with unclean water (x̅=2.83), poor supervisory activities (x̅=2.77), usage of hormones and chemical (x̅=2.77), and unclean equipment and tools (x̅=2.72) were the major unhealthy and unethical management practices that affects meat quality. More so, the result revealed that unbearable taxes and revenue collection (x̅=3.52), unavailability of sewage tank (x̅=3.50), inadequate funds for expansion (x̅=3.30), dissemination of false information about meat on the social media handle (x̅=3.10), and inadequate veterinary personnel (x̅=2.91), etc were the major challenges faced by the workers in the area. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that government should ensure enforcement of laws and regular supervision of abattoir activities in the state in other to promote safe and healthy meat for consumption.

ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ INFORMATION SOURCES UNDER SHELTERBELT PROJECTS IN THE FRONTLINE STATES OF NORTH WESTERN NIGERIA

The study analyzed farmers’ information sources under shelterbelt projects in the frontline States of North Western Nigeria. The respondents used were 450. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Mean age of the respondents was 35 years; mean household size was 12 persons; mean farming experience was 12 years; and mean farm size was 6 hectares. About 67% of the respondents were married. Their sources of agricultural information of 29.1% was extension agents, radio accounted for 27.8%, family member (13.3%) and non-governmental organizations/community-based organizations (NGOs/CBOs) occupy 6.7%, print publications (4.4%) and internet (3.1%). Also, extension contact (30.0%), extension agents (25.5%) visited for two times, 18.9% were visited three (3) times, 11.1% were visited four (4) times annually, 7.8% were visited for five (5) times, and 6.7% were visited more than five (5) times annually. The results revealed that 61.1% listened to agricultural program through radio regularly. Majority (72.2%) watched/listened to agricultural program through television once in a week, 18.9% watched/listened twice a week and; 2.2% of the respondents were regular and 6.7% were irregular. Most (40.0%) preferred to radio program as their means of communication. Group meeting (extension agents/farmers) was only 5.1%, agriculture shows/field visit/tours occupy (11.1%) and extension agents interpersonal visit (8.9%), television (7.1%), newspaper and magazine (4.4%); and journals/conference proceedings and the internet services was 2.2%, respectively. The recommended conversion of the shelterbelts to recreational parks and tourism; reducing criminal activities like Indian hemp smoking, theft and kidnapping in the belt; and also, local communities should be allowed to participate in the management and sharing of revenue from the shelterbelts.

HEDONIC PRICE ANALYSIS OF CHICKEN MEAT CUT IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the Hedonic price analysis of chicken meat cut in Bauchi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 586 households in the study area and data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study revealed that most (96.9%) of the household heads were male and married (89.8%) with about 35.7% of them having secondary education and 30.0% take farming as their occupation. The study also revealed the mean age, mean household size and mean monthly household head income as 41 years, 8 person per household and N47,481.46, respectively. The results of the hedonic regression analysis revealed that, age of the household head, sex of chicken, types of chicken breed, marital status and market locations were the major factors influencing the price of chicken in the study area. The major constraints to chicken consumption were financial problem, high cost of chicken, health related problems, poor sanitary condition of meat vendors as well as high prices of other food items of necessities. It was therefore recommended that, federal/State governments should enhance economic boasting programmes to improve the income of consumers; there should be a concerted effort on the part of government and non-governmental bodies on measures of increasing animal feeds and feeding to boast animal production. More study also needs to be done on segmentation and differentiation of chicken meat cuts based on international standard.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF COWPEA-BASED CONSUMERS IN WESTERN ZONE OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the socio-economic characteristics of cowpea-based consumers in Western zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed in the selection of 210 households for this study. Data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics. The results revealed that majority (82.9%) of the households were males with a mean age of 42years. The result also showed that 79.5% and 42.9% were married and had tertiary education, respectively. The findings revealed a mean household size and mean income of 10 persons and ₦35,485.71, respectively. Furthermore, the result showed that 34.3% of households consumed cowpea daily, 31.9% and 12.8% consumed cowpea twice a week and thrice a week, respectively. The major constraints to cowpea consumption include high cost of cowpea (97.1%), insect infestation (81.4%) and abdominal discomfort (70.0%) among others. The study recommended that government should create an enabling environment to make the prices of food items most especially cowpea reasonable and affordable by creating a favourable policies on price to tackle the menace of price fluctuations and Cowpea farmers should be encouraged to use improved cowpea varieties that are resistant to insect attacks so as reduce the damaged done by insects.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF SOYABEANS PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN WESTERN ZONE OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the socio-economic determinants of soya beans production technologies adoption in Western Zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria. A combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques was used to select a total of 194 farmers for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result showed that 48.5% of the respondents fell within the ages of 30-39 years with an average age of 45 years. Most (92.8%) of the farmers were male and majority (71.1%) were married with a mean household size of 10 persons. Furthermore, the result revealed that 38.7% had secondary education with an average farming experience of 20years. The findings further indicate that 47.9% and 63.4 % of the soybean farmers adopted animal drawn ridging technology and planted improved soybean varieties (TGX 1448-2E, TGX 1835-10E and TGX 1485 ID). Among the varieties, TGX 1448-2E was adopted with 48.5% and 51.1% planted their seed around Early June-July. The result also revealed that majority (74.7%) of the respondents sourced their information on improved soyabean production practices through radio, majority (61.9%) had no contact with extension agents while 42.8% had weekly contact. The regression result shows that age was negatively significant (P = 0.001), level of education was positively significant (P< 0.01), sex was positively significant in influencing the adoption of soyabeans technologies. While marital status, household size, land ownership and farm size were not significant. The major constraints to adoption of soyabean technologies by farmers were poor market price (56.7%), inadequate capital (50.5%), and inadequate inputs (48.5%) among others. The study concluded that among the variables included in the model, level of education was the major determinant of soyabean technology adoption in the study area. It is therefore recommended that; education should be encouraged among soyabean farmers in the study area.

MARKETING OF MELON AND PRICE ANALYSIS OF TRANSACTION COSTS IN BIDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE,

The study assessed the transaction cost of Melon ‘egusi’ in Bida Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, Nigeria. A Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to draw samples from the study area. Data collected with the aid of questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as gross margin analysis. The results revealed that majority (57%) of the sample marketers were males. Also, the results revealed that larger proportion of these actors were between the ages of 36 and 40 years with a mean age of 38 years. Majority (77%) of the marketers were married, with larger proportion (30.0%) having marketing experience of between 6-10 years. The mean marketing experience was 13 years. Larger proportion (33.0%) of the respondents had between 6-10 persons as family size, with a mean household size of approximately 11 persons. Majority (81.0%) had one form of modern education stitches or the other. The effect of marketing cost on final price of melon in the study area showed an R2 value of 0.685. However, the variables such as cost of loading, cost of offloading, distance from the farm to market, quantity of melon transported to the market and cost of transportation were positively related to the final price of marketing melon. The significant variables that influence the final price were; cost of loading, cost of off-loading, and distance from farm to the market. Cost of loading and distance to the market were significant at P≤0.01 Also, the coefficient for cost of off-loading was significant at 10%. The generated revenue from the sales of melon was N35,093.33, whereas, the total costs incurred from the melon marketing was N32,645.0, with a net income of N2,448.30. The constraints to melon marketing in the study area include; poor feeder road (68.3%), price instability (66.7%), and low demand/supply (31.7%). It was recommended that government and other stakeholders should help provide good marketing infrastructure for efficient marketing such as good feeder roads that link the rural areas to major cities/major consuming centres. It was also recommended that there should be regular capacity building to empower the marketers to acquire skills for effective negotiations so as to reduce transaction costs (loading, off-loading, security) and farm gate price will reduce the final price.

Costs and Returns Analysis of Rice (Oryza Sativa) Production Under Rainy Season in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

This study examined the costs and returns of rainy season rice production in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna state. Two stage sampling procedure was employed to select forty-eight respondents (48) respondents for the study. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire with the help of well-trained enumerators. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Gross margin analysis and profitability ratios. Results revealed that the respondents were predominantly male (60.4%) and most (52.1%) were married. 25% had primary education,45.8% secondary education, and 12.5% tertiary education. The mean age for the households’ head was 33 years and the mean household size was 7 persons per household. The mean farming experience and annual farm income of the respondents were 17 years and ₦32,238 respectively. The average variable cost incurred per hectare was estimated to be N122,988 while the total cost of production was put at N 139,309. Gross revenue of N 257,000 was generated with a gross margin of N 134,012 and a net farm income of N 117,691. The profitability ratios of BCR=1.84, ESR=0.13, ROR=0.84, and GR=0.5, indicated that rainy season rice farming is highly profitable in the study area. The study therefore recommended that consistent government policies that would favor increase in paddy production, market information, extension service delivery, input subsidization and credit facilities be implemented.

Evaluation of Dietary Intake and Food Insecurity: A Case Study on Selected Households from Lahore,Pakistan

Background: Food insecurity consistently challenges middle-income countries, including Pakistan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary food intake of the households in the selected location through a semi-structured questionnaire. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 500 households comprised 2094 participants to investigate dietary intake and status of food insecurity. Furthermore, socio-demographic and weekly dietary food intake was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire in 2019. Those households who assent to participate were included in the study. Results: Mean household size was 5.80±2.05 comprised 49.27% male and 50.61% female. Six food types were commonly consumed in the study population. Among these foods (g/capita/day) starch remained at the top 734.43 followed by fruits 256.02 and vegetables 89.77. These data highlighted limited dietary diversity and reduced dietary intake. The energy intake (per capita/day) from the food basket, contribution of the starch was the highest 32.37% versus protein 14.43%, milk 14.08%, vegetables 1.31%, and fruit 7.79% with an overall calories intake 81.08% from all food groups except tea. Finally, of the 500 households, 42.4% people were below the poverty line, 41.8% people at the poverty line, and 15.8% people were above the poverty line. Conclusion: The results showed that dietary intake of the participants was below the reference intake, demonstrating food insecurity and unbalanced diet.

ACCESS AND USE OF PRINT MEDIA IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AMONG RURAL FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Objectives: of the study analyzed the use and effectiveness of print media in technology transfer among rural farm households in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to; describe the socio-economic profile of the respondent; ascertain the access to print media by rural farm households; determine the frequency of print media in technology transfer in the study area; examine the perceived effectiveness of print media technology transferred; Identify the constraints affecting the use of print media in the transfer of agricultural technologies in Imo State, and determine the factors influencing the use of print media in technology transfer among rural households in Imo State. Methodology: Multi-stage and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 126 farm households for the study. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the ordinary least square multiple regression model. Result and Discussion: Result revealed that 48.4% and 51.9% of the farmers were males and females respectively, with a mean age of 43 years, mean household size of 5 persons, mean farming experience of 29 years, mean education of 14 years, mean annual income ofN31,573.8 and majority (81.7%) were married. A majority (x̅ =2.92%) had highest access to posters and flyers (87.3%). The highest frequently used print media was flyers (x̅ = 2.9). Result also showed that the use of print media in technology transfer among rural farmers was effective although all (100%) the respondents were not giving the opportunity to ask questions. the coefficient of age, cost, farming experience, farm size household size, frequency of extension contact and access to print media significantly influenced the use of print media in technology transfer. Time-consuming (x̅ = 2.8), high cost (x̅ = 2.6), limited space (x̅ = 2.6), inaccessible roads, (x̅ = 2.3) political censor (2.6) and no interaction (x̅ = 2.5) were serious constraints to the use of print media in technology transfer. Conclusion: The study concluded that the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers influenced the use of print media in technology transfer that could improve their farm activities.

RYNEK RYB WĘDZONYCH I SWIEŻYCH NA OBSZARZE SAMORZĄDOWYM TOTO W STANIE NASARAWA W NIGERII: ANALIZA PORÓWNAWCZA

Fish marketing is gaining prominence especially in the rural communities as an all year-round poverty alleviation micro-enterprise requiring low capital base. This study examined the marketing performance of smoked and fresh fish in the study area. Primary data were obtained from 80 respondents selected through a two-stage sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The objectives of the study were to: describe and compare the market structure and performance, determine the profitability, identify marketing intermediaries, and constraints to smoked and fresh fish marketing in the study area. The results showed that that both sexes involved in fish marketing with the female (58.7%) dominating. Majority (67.5%) of the marketers were within the age group of 15–44 years. The mean age was 33 years. Also, 73.7% of the respondents were married and most (58.7%) of the respondents had household size of between 1 and 5 persons and the mean household size was 6 persons. About 65% of the respondents had one form of education or the other. The mean fish marketing experience was estimated at 15 years. The benefit cost ratio for fresh fish marketing was ₦0.26. This implies that ₦0.26 was made for every ₦1 invested in the fresh fish business and the marketing efficiency for fresh fish marketing was calculated at 2.93 (293%), while the net benefit cost ratio of smoked fish was calculated at ₦1.57. This implies that ₦0.57 was made on every ₦1 invested into the smoked fish enterprise. The results further indicated significant revenue differential between smoked fish (₦380,500.00) and fresh fish (₦179,640.00) of ₦200,860.00. This accounted for about 111.82% indicating that smoked fish marketing yields higher revenue than fresh fish, in the study area. The Gini-coefficient (GC) for both fresh and smoked fish marketers were calculated at 0.5857 and 0.4801 respectively. Decentralized routes of marketing channels were observed with retailers having the highest percentage of 32.5 for the traded smoked fish, while consumers had the highest (30.0%) of the traded fresh fish. Some of the identified constraints include; seasonality, inadequate credit, poor storage facilities and poor road networks. It was recommended that the marketers organize themselves into cooperative organizations and set up strong market networks and linkages in order to benefit from available markets outside their immediate vicinities.

Impact of socio and demographic factors on multidimensional poverty profile of smallholder arable crop farmers – evidence from Nigeria

PurposeThis paper evaluates the impact of socio and demographic factors on the multidimensional poverty of smallholder arable crop farming households in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachData were drawn from the second wave of the LSMS-Integrated Surveys on Agriculture General Household Survey Panel 2012/2013. The methods adopted in analysing the data were descriptive statistics, Alkire and Foster Method (AFM) and logit regression model.FindingsThe result shows that 84.34% of the households were headed by a male while 80.26% of the respondents were married with a mean household size of seven persons. The multidimensional poverty of arable crop farm households in Nigeria is 0.60, while the adjusted headcount ratio (MPI) is 0.27, with an average intensity of 0.45. We found that deprivation in the dimension of living standard accounted for 45.5% of the overall multidimensional poverty index (MPI). The result of the logistic regression indicates that household location, gender, household size and non-farm income are negatively correlated to poverty. The factors that increase poverty among households are the age of the household head and access to extension services.Originality/valueThe study presents an alternative means of assessing poverty among smallholder arable crop farming households in Nigeria. This study recommends that policymakers should focus more on improving the living standard of arable crop farming households to reduce poverty in rural areas. Similarly, concerted efforts should be made towards providing adequate health care and improved sanitation, supply of electricity and educational training that goes beyond primary education for farming household members.

Analysis of the Dimensions and Determinants of Household Food Security Status among Maize Farming Households in Lagos State, Nigeria

The study focused on analysis of the dimensions and determinants of household food security status among maize farming households in Lagos State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, examine the dimensions of food security status of the households, determine their food security status and examine the factors influencing food security among the maize farming households in the study area. Primary data for the study were obtained from 155 maize farming household heads with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, food security index assessment and logit regression model were used to analyse the data. The results showed that majority (91.6%) of the households were headed by males who were aged 59 years, on the average, married (91.6%) and their level of literacy was very high as all of the respondents had a form of formal education. The mean household size of the study area was 7 members. The household heads had farming experience of 32 years, a mean farm size of 2.14 hectares for maize farming and an average of 1.24 hectares for farming other crops. The results further showed that 77.4% of the household heads perceived food to be moderately available for consumption throughout the year, 81.3% had three square meals each day and 81.2% perceived their food quality consumed to be high all year round. Consequently, majority (97%) of them were food secure. Significant determinants of food security status among the households were farm size, household size and access to credit facilities. Farm size and access to credit facilities influenced food security positively while household size affected it negatively. It was recommended that government should create enabling environment for the farmers to have easy access to more arable land and credit facilities to help them expand their production in order to improve food security for both the farmers and the citizens at large. Keywords: food security, household, socio-economics DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-20-04 Publication date: October 31 st 2021

RISKS SOURCES AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN POULTRY (EGG) PRODUCTION IN THE AGRARIAN COMMUNITIES OF LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Poultry farming provides rich source of animal protein and contributes significantly to food security among Nigeria households. However, the poultry sector is largely vulnerable to risk conditions, ranging from natural events, climate disturbances, and human lapses resulting in tumultuous performances of the poultry enterprise. This study was carried out in the agrarian suburb of Lagos State, Nigeria to determine the dominant risk sources in the poultry egg sector, and the determinants of mitigation strategy adoption among egg farmers. Primary data were obtained in a crosssectional survey of 125 poultry egg farmers drawn by multi-stage random sampling across major communities in the study area, and were analysed by both descriptive and quantitative techniques. A risk behavioural model (RBM) was used to estimate the determinants of farmers’ adoption of specific mitigation strategies. From the findings, 62% of the respondents were male, married (64%), formally educated (74%), and of mean age and household size 40 ± 15 years and 4 ± 2 persons, respectively. Average farmer’s flock size was 524 ± 327 layers, 6 ± 5 average years of farming experience, and average gross income of N1,490,000/production cycle. The identified risk factors (response scores and survival propensities in parentheses) were; disease epidemic shocks (1.82, 44.67%); egg glut shocks (1.85, 39%); adverse weather shocks (2.01, 53%); and input price instability shocks (2.21, 60%). Identified lead risk mitigation strategies were strict adherence to routine vaccination regime; advance egg sales arrangement; proper timing/frequency of bird stocking, and advance/wholesale inputs purchase arrangements. Findings from the study established that medically disenfranchised (2.974; p<0.01) and non-remotely located farms (1.682 p><0.1) had higher propensity for routine vaccination/drugs administration to mitigate disease outbreak. Likewise, experienced farmers (2.780; p><0.01) operating farms with less capital-based assets (2.655; p><0.01) would more likely adopt advance sales arrangement to mitigate egg glut shock. With better human skills development (2.173; p><0.05), poultry farmers would likely engage proper timing for birds stocking to mitigate the effect of adverse weather condition on their farms. To enhance farmers’ timely access to major inputs (feeds, drugs and stocks) for a sustainable poultry egg industry in the study area, localisation of farms within policy-regulated areas and proximity to input supply firms were recommended.

EFFECTS OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ON WELFARE OF RURAL FARM FAMILIES IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the effect of community and social development projects (CSDP) on welfare of rural farm families in Niger State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 300 beneficiaries. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to collect primary data and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed mean age of 42 years while majority (97.3%) of the beneficiaries acquired formal education with mean household size of 8 people. Majority (84.0%) of the beneficiaries were members of cooperative societies. The effect of CSDP intervention in health sector includes; number of children enrolment in schools (z = 8.94), number of students studying science courses (z = 5.93) all increased but distance to schools (z = -18.11) was reduced. The effect of CSDP intervention in water sector include; time taken to get water (z = -7.34), number of reported water-borne diseases (z = -32.84), cost of buying water (z = - 3.83) all reduced but number of people using borehole water (z = 7.63) increased. The effect of CSDP intervention in transport sector includes; number of vehicle plying the road per day (z = 10.40) increased but time taken to travel (z = -15.58) was reduced. The effect of CSDP intervention in health sector includes; number of medical staff deployed (z = 2.96), number of people seeking medical counseling (z = 2.54) were increased while distance to heath center (z = 6.42) was reduced. On perception, the results revealed that provision of educational facilities (= 2.17), water supply to the community (= 2.20), provision of healthcare facilities (= 2.28) and provision of motor able roads (= 2.19) were perceived to be effective. Meanwhile, intervention such as provision of agricultural inputs ( = 1.35) and provision of extension services (= 1.25) were perceived not to be effective. Poor mobilization and time consuming rank 1st and 2nd in terms of severity of the problems while problem of site location rank lowest 12th. The study concluded that CSDP had significant effect on the income of the beneficiaries as well as on their welfare. It was recommended that extension agents should increase their contacts in order to reach out to large number of farmers for greater mobilization and participation in the project; also the program should be scaled up in other Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State and the project should have flexible policy that removes bureaucracy for easy access to micro-projects.

EFFECTS OF FARM LABOUR MIGRATION ON CROP PRODUCTIVITY AMONG FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined effects of farm labour migration on crop productivity among farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 242 farmers from the study area. Data were collected through interview schedule using structured questionnaire with the help of trained enumerators under the supervision of the researcher. Analytical tools used were descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, percentages and mean) and inferential statistics (multiple regression) was employed in this study. The results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 45 years and were married; and 84.7% were male. These implied that crop farmers were in their productive stage of life and had the capacity of carrying out agricultural production. More so, the mean household size of the farmers was 11 persons, and about 80.6% had formal education. This implied that high educational level of farm household could increase income earnings and reduce poverty level in Kaduna State. The multiple regression analysis on the effects of farm labour migration on farmers’ crop productivity showed that the double-log functional form gave the best fit based on the significance of F-statistics and adjusted R-squared parameter estimated in conformity with the a priori expectation. Farm size (P<0.01), labour (P<0.05), manure (P<0.05) and poverty incidence of the farmers (P<0.01) were statistically significant. Farm labour migration (-0.05822)’ was found to negatively influenced crop farmer’s productivity. Major constraints encountered by the crop farmers in the study area include high cost of inputs, inadequate credit facilities and inadequate market linkages. In conclusion, poverty incidence had a negative and significant effect on crop productivity. It was recommended that farmers should form rotating saving association to enable them have access to micro loan; rural crop farmer should be linked to the urban market through appropriate information channels such as extension agent and media to attract good value for their crops and Government and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) should make farm inputs readily available at a subsidized rate.

Profitability and Resource Use Efficiency in Cassava Production: Evidence from Delta State, Nigeria

Cassava has played and continues to play an outstanding role. The country's failure to meet current demand has been due to the efficiency of farmers' use of resources. The study examined resource use efficiency in cassava production. Data from 120 cassava producers were carefully chosen using random sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression model were applied to analyze the data. The results disclosed that the greater part of the growers were female with mean age of 45 years, educated and married. The mean household size was 6 persons with mean farming experience of 16 years. Majority of the producers belong to farming association. The result of cost and returns shows that the total production cost , total revenue realized and profit were N221,500, N398,000 and N176,500 respectively with BCR of 1.80 which implies that cassava production is profitable. The regression estimated showed that farm sizes, fertilizers, labour and planting material influence the output produced. The estimated output elasticity was 0.934, which means decreasing return to scale. The result indicated that farm size, fertilizers, labour and planting materials were inefficiently used, thereby dropping below the best economic level. The low ratios of MVP / MFC of the entire variables were shown to be less than unitary. Approximately 56.19%, 99.98%, 97.67%, 99.99% and 11.28% increase in MVP are necessary to optimize the allocation of farm size, fertilizer, labour, planting material and agrochemical. Major problems include inaccessibility to financial services, high labour cost, poor market prices and insufficient extension services. Agricultural policies should be aimed at supplying agricultural inputs, such as fertilizer and effective extension programs to guarantee the productive usage of resources. It is also suggested that extension facilities be intensified to provide farmers with information on new innovations and methods of farming while steps should be taken to lessen the militating effect of the constraints. Keywords: Resource Use Efficiency, Cassava Production, Benefit-Cost Analysis, Farmers.

DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLD’S POVERTY AMONG CROP FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the households’ poverty status among crop farmers in Kaduna State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 242 farmers for this study. Data were collected through using structured questionnaire with the help of trained enumerators. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as tobit regression and Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) model was employed in this study. The results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 45 years and were married, mean household size of the farmers was 11 persons, and about (80.6%) had formal education. The poverty situation of the farmers revealed that 51% were poor and the strategies adopted by the farmers to combat poverty were mostly through diversification into commercial farming, increased personal savings and involvement in non-farming activities. Tobit regression analysis revealed that age, household and income negatively influences the poverty status of the farmers, statistically significant at 1%, this implied that, poverty is concentrated among households in the study area. Major constraints encountered by the crop farmers, include high cost of inputs, inadequate credit facilities and inadequate market linkages. In conclusion, poverty incidence had a negative and significant effect on rural crop farmers. It was recommended that farmers should form cooperative societies to access micro loan; farmer should be linked to the urban market through extension agent and media to attract good value for their crops. Government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should make farm inputs readily available at a subsidized rate

ECONOMICS OF GROUNDNUT PRODUCTION IN TSANYAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the economics of groundnut production in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State. A combination of purposive and random sampling technique was used to select 150 groundnut farmers. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed descriptive statistics, gross margin and regression analysis. The results indicated that, the mean age of the farmers was 33 years with a mean household size of eight persons. The farmers cultivated an average of 2.5 hectares. The gross margin was N37, 850 per hectare, with the rate of return on investment of N1.10. The gross, operating and fixed ratios were 0.54, 0.52 and 0.03, respectively. The regression analysis revealed an R2 value of 0.97 which implies that 97% percent of the total variation in the gross income of the farmers was explained by the independent variables included in the model. The major constraints encountered in groundnut production in the study area were inadequate capital, inadequate improved seed, pests and diseases. The study concluded that groundnut production in the study area was profitable. Therefore, it was recommended that extension service should be geared towards delivery of improved technologies to groundnut production in the study area. Groundnut farmers should form cooperative societies so as to pool their resource together to solve their common problem and take advantage of economy of scale. There is need for government to subsidize cost of inputs for groundnut producers, such as seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SAWN TIMBER MARKETING IN SAPELE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined economics of sawn timber marketing in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 150 sawn wood marketers as respondents for the study. Data was collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis were used for the data analysis. Result showed that the mean age of the respondents was 36 years, 98.0% of the respondents were males and mean household size of 5 persons. Majority (73.3%) of the respondents had primary school education, while the mean marketing experience was 13 years. The calculated net revenue was N600,684.20. It was recommended that Government should endeavour to construct roads in areas where they do not exist and maintain the already existing ones for easy access to forest where these timbers were fetched. This will thus reduce transportation cost in order to boost the revenue of the marketers. Improved marketing efficiency should be pursued to help increase and sustain profit in sawn wood marketing.