Members Of Cooperative Societies Research Articles

Effects Of Rural Agriprenuership Investment On Income Generation And Poverty Reduction In Southeast, Nigeria

The study assessed the effects of rural agriprenuership investment as nexus for poverty reduction and income generation in southeast Nigeria using 200 respondents selected through random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire administered in the form of interview schedule. Data collected were analyse using descriptive statistics such as frequencies percentages, and multiple regression. Results indicated that agriprenuership investors were mainly male (63%) investors with average age of 41years and were married with average household size of 6 persons. Furthermore, the agriprenuers investors’ had 10 years average experience in agriprenuership investment that earned average annual household income of N676,176.00, and were members of co-operative societies. Result also showed that the income distribution of female agriprenuerial households was at high inequality as seen in the convex nature of the Lorenz curve to the line of equality. Results also showed that the income distribution of male agriprenuers where evenly distributed as it was almost parallel to the line of equality. Result further showed agricultural enterprises accounted for 72% changes in income generation of agriprenuers as evident from the R2 of 0.72 that income from livestock production (3.390), crop production (2.710) and processing sector (1.301) were positive and significantly related to the income generation. Similarly, agricultural enterprises accounted for 84% changes in poverty reduction as production (1.674) and processing sector (3.688) were positive and significantly related to poverty reduction. From the finding, it was concluded that rural agripreneurship investment had positively and significantly influenced agriprenuers income generation and poverty reduction in Southeast, Nigeria. The study recommended for the creation of environment that favours investment in the rural areas especially in linking rural areas with microfinance

Assessment of Women’s Participation in Fish Processing in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This research examined the involvement of women in various stages of fish processing in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A sampling method was used to select 90 women fish processors, and data was collected through structured interviews. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, and means, along with charts. Additionally, probit regression analysis was conducted to identify socio-economic factors influencing women's participation in fish processing. The findings revealed that, on average, women involved in fish processing were 38.5 years old, with 57% being married and 28.4% being single. A majority (61.7%) had received formal education, and nearly all (91%) were members of cooperative societies. The study found that women were primarily engaged in scaling, gutting, and sticking (87%), with 60% using the hot smoking method. Most processing equipment was locally fabricated, with 15% using drum ovens, 25% using metal sheets, 45% using clay ovens, and 40% using kilns. The majority (85%) used firewood as a fuel source, and 89% packaged their fish in baskets and paper. The probit regression analysis indicated that age, education, access to credit, and access to markets were positively and significantly related to women's participation in fish processing. Marital status and experience in fish processing were also positively related but not significantly. The study concluded that women utilized various methods, equipment, and energy sources in fish processing. Based on the findings, recommendations were made, including assisting women in forming cooperative societies to enhance their business management skills, prioritizing women in accessing credit and loans, and stabilizing fish product prices to mitigate business risks among women processors.

Assessment of Agricultural Cooperative Societies on Farm Input Supply in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This research investigated how Agricultural Cooperative Societies in Ekiti State, Nigeria, influenced the supply of farm inputs. The results indicate that most cooperative society members were male, in their working-age years, and had received formal education. These individuals were typically engaged in farming or held civil service jobs and accessed various benefits like employment opportunities, credit, dividends, agricultural inputs, and access to the output market through their cooperative society. The study revealed that 71.1% of farmers belonged to a cooperative society, with 51.1% having a membership duration of 1-5 years. The largest portion of farmers inherited their land (35.6%). Cooperative societies typically consisted of 6 to 10 members, and a substantial 60% of farmers had received formal education. Moreover, 64.4% had access to the output market through their cooperative society. Overall, the research demonstrates that agricultural cooperative societies in Ekiti State play a significant role in enhancing the supply of farm inputs, offering crucial resources and assistance to local farmers.

ECONOMICS OF RICE VALUE ADDITION AMONG FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

This study evaluated the Economics of Rice Value Addition among Farming Households in Taraba State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 240 respondents for this study and well-structured questionnaires was administered to farming households involved in rice value addition activities. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgeting technique and multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that 70.4% of the activities were carried out by women, 53.8% of the respondents were married and 79.6% had some level of formal education. Mean household size and years of experience in activities were 12 persons and 18 years respectively. Only 26.7% and 31.7% of the respondents were members of cooperative society and had access to credit respectively. Respondents were engaged primarily in parboiling and drying. Net income obtained from value addition was ₦370,680.74 per annum and average rate of returns on investment was ₦1.41 indicating that for every ₦1.00 invested in value addition a profit of 41 kobo was made with operating ratio of 0.7 kobo. Cost of milling (-0.626), price of milled rice (0.311) and cost of paddy rice (0.0519) determined rice value addition enterprises’ profit. The major constraints encountered by respondents in rice value addition activities were inadequate funds, lack of appropriate value addition skill due to inadequate capacity building activities, lack of improved technology/method of processing and poor marketing information. The study concluded that rice value addition was a profitable venture. This study thus recommended that indigenous industries should be encouraged to fabricate small/medium capacity milling machines with parboiler, destoner and polisher features that would improve the quality of locally milled rice.

Livelihood Information Endowment as a Correlate of Material Quality of Life among Rural Women in Southwest, Nigeria

This study examined the livelihood information endowment as a correlate of material quality of life among rural women in Southwest Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 384 respondents using an interview schedule. Data collected on socioeconomic characteristics, livelihood information endowment (livelihood information sought and sources of information); constraints to livelihood information endowment and material quality of life were analysed with percentages, mean, standard deviation, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Chi-square at α0.05. The results showed that most of the respondents were cooperative society members (51.6%) with a mean year of former education being 8.0±4.62 years. The most accessible information sources were mobile phones (3.73±0.90) and husband (3.72±0.82) with livelihood information endowment being high at 55.7%. However, respondents’ prominent constraints to livelihood information endowment were network problem (0.40) and poor rural infrastructure (0.39). The respondents’ material quality of life status was low 52.1%, as most did not possess landed properties (58.1%). A significant relationship existed between respondents’ material quality of life and livelihood information endowment (r=0.134), social group belonged (r=0.153) and constraint to livelihood information endowment (r=-0.017). Constraints to livelihood information endowment inform the respondents’ Material Quality of Life status. Network providers should offer efficient services.

Factors affecting risk attitudes of small scale poultry farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria

Small-scale farmers are risk averse in order to avoid any discomfort in their livelihoods. Hence, this study analyzed the risk attitudes and their determinants among poultry farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. A multi stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 192 respondents in the study area on which semi-structured questionnaires were administered to extract relevant information. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as safety first model, ordered logit regression as well as Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression model. The results showed that the major risks associated with poultry production were disease outbreak, lack of medication and lack of vaccination health programmes. Majority (57%) were risk averse with aggregate frequency score of 109. Furthermore, the factors influencing farmers’ risk attitude in poultry production were educational level, primary occupation, cooperative membership, marital status, labour in man days and investments. It was therefore recommended that poultry farmers need to strengthen their membership of cooperative societies so that they can have more access to veterinary services and risk sharing opportunities. The farmers need to be involved in other income generating enterprises in order to cushion the effect of production shocks inherent in poultry production.

Effect of Crude Oil Pollution on Artisanal Fishing in Asari- Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria

This study analyzed the effect of crude oil production on artisanal fishing in selected local government areas of Rivers State. Purposive and random sampling technique were used in selecting respondents for the study. The sample size for the study was made up of 90 artisanal fishing folks. Data were elicited from fishing folks with a structured questionnaire which were administered to the respondents. Percentage, mean, costs and returns and multiple regression were used for the analyses of data. The result showed that the mean age of respondents was 40 years, while the mean house hold size was 6 persons. The result also showed that majority of the respondents had primary education and that most respondents had no access to credit facilities to enable them purchase fishing equipment for their operations. Also, majority (66.7%) were members of cooperative society while majority (71%) reported incidence of oil spillage in the study area. The regression analysis also revealed that the output of individual fishing households is significantly influenced by variables, namely, capital, labour, operating costs, fishing experience and oil spill. There is the need for policies that could compel oil companies to minimize oil spill in the farmers’ fishing environment.

Gender Analysis of Cattle Farmers’ Participation in Cattle Production in Bauchi and Yobe States, Nigeria

The study analyzed the participation of male and female cattle farmers in cattle production in Bauchi and Yobe States Nigeria. A snowball technique was used in selecting one hundred and twenty (120) sample of farmers comprising forty (40) males and twenty (20) females from each of Bauchi and Yobe States respectively. Data on socioeconomic characteristics and participation in cattle production were collected using an interview schedule between April and June of 2021. The results reveal that male and female cattle farmers in Bauchi and Yobe States were active producers with mean age in years of 48.9 (males), 42.3 (females), 44.4 (males) and 41.4 (females) in Bauchi and Yobe States respectively. Male farmers had more cattle (x=38 in Bauchi and `x=20 in Yobe) than their female counterparts (`x=6 in Bauchi and`x= 2 in Yobe). The majority of farmers (male = 95%, female = 100%, male = 65%, female = 80%) in Bauchi and Yobe States respectively had no contact with extension but all farmers (100%) had membership of cooperatives. Male (`x=11.18) and female (`x=11.25) cattle farmers in Yobe State participated in cattle production more than male (x=9.78) and female (x=8.00) cattle farmers in Bauchi State. Both male (x=0.00) and female (x=0.00) farmers in Bauchi and Yobe States did not participate at all in breeding and artificial insemination. There was a significant difference (t = 2.223, p ˂ 0.05) in participation of male and female cattle farmers in cattle production in Bauchi State. There was no significant difference (t = -0.104, p ˃ 0.05) in cattle production between male and female cattle farmers in Yobe State. There was no participation in highly technical activities like breeding and artificial insemination. It was recommended that cattle farmers should leverage their membership of cooperative societies in accessing adult education especially in cattle production, credits and extension services and seek training in breeding and artificial insemination.

SOCIOECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF PALM OIL PRODUCTION IN IGBO ETITI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Extant studies have established that Nigeria has lost its place as the global largest producer of palm oil. However, there seems to be a dearth of studies on how the socioeconomic variables of producers affect palm oil production. Consequently, this study analysed the socioeconomic determinants of palm oil production in Igbo Etiti Local Government Area (LGA) in Enugu State, Nigeria. Combinations of multi-stage random and purposive sampling procedures were used to select 120 small-scale palm oil producers. The data collected using a structured questionnaire was analysed with the aid of descriptive statistics of mean, frequency and percentage, and inferential statistical tools of OLS regression and principal component factor analysis. The results reveal that more women (74.2%) dominated palm oil production in the area. The age bracket of most (41.7 %) palm oil producers was between 46-65 years. The overwhelming proportion (70.8%) of the respondents were married with 50.8 percent of them having a household size of between 1-4 persons. The educational level attained by most of the respondents (70.8%) was primary education. 62.5 percent of the respondents had been involved in palm oil production for over 10 years. While the overwhelming proportion (80.8%) of the respondents were not members of cooperative societies. The study found age, education attainment, household size, farming experience, income, and extension contact as the socioeconomic determinants of palm oil production. The study identified financial and institutional factors as the principal factors and constraints to palm oil production in Igbo Etiti LGA of Enugu State. The study concludes that these variables are critical to improving the output of palm oil production in the area. Thus, this should form part of the critical issues to be included in any policy development that targets improvement in palm oil production.

ECONOMICS OF SMALL-SCALE CASSAVA PROCESSING IN ADAVI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE

This study examined economics of small-scale cassava processing in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State. Specific objectives were to: describe the socioeconomic characteristics of cassava processors, assess the profitability of small-scale cassava processing and determine factors affecting the income of cassava processors. 120 respondents were selected from the list of cassava processors from Agricultural Development Project (ADP) and Adavi Local Government. Primary data used were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed with Descriptive statistics and Linear Regression. Results showed that respondents had a mean age of 37 years, 66% of the respondents were females, 45% of the respondents were married. 38.33% of the respondents acquired secondary education. The mean household size was 7 persons. The mean years of processing experience was 8 years. 61.67% of processors were members of cooperative societies. 72.50% of the respondents used household members as employees. Gross Margin of N 33,443.3, benefit-cost ratio of 2.72 and the operating cost ratio of 0.367 showed that cassava processing was viable and profitable. Independent variables included in the model were all statistically significant at 5% alpha level. Cassava processing in the study area is a profitable venture. Favourable pricing policies that will help to lessen the cost of processing should be put in place, this will in turn help to lessen processors’ selling prices and thus enable them withstand market competition thereby continue to be in business.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF CASSAVA FARMERS' PARTICIPATION IN USAID/MARKETS II PROGRAMME IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This study analyzed socio-economic determinants of cassava farmers' participation in USAID/MARKET II programme in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 90 USAID farmers. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Tobit regression analysis). The result indicated that USAID farmers had high participation ( = 2.6) in the stages of proramme development. Result showed that mean ages of USAID farmers was 40.5 years, a good proportion (58.9%) acquired secondary education, mean years of farming experience of 8 years, mean farm sizes of 1.8 hectares, mean annual cassava income of N233, 855.6 mean credit of N116, 667.00 and mean cooperative experience of 3.4 years. Tobit regression results showed that coefficients for age (β = 0.0579), education (β = 0.75980), farming experience (β = 0.0743), farm size (β = -0.6078), farm income (β = 0.2784), amount of credit (β = 0.5929), membership of cooperative societies (0.5745) and farm output (β = 0.2643) were determinants of farmers’ participation in the stages of programme development. The study therefore recommends integration of farmers in the design of any agricultural intervention programme that support income diversification of farmers, group formation access to education, credit and land to increase farm output for effective participation in the stages programme development.

Evaluation of the Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Food Security Among Urban Households in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Food security is one of the targets of Sustainable Development Goals where it focuses explicitly on food by seeking to end hunger, achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. However, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown distorted the food system and affected households’ capacity to meet its nutritional needs. This study evaluated the effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on households in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 265 households. Data was collected using well-structured questionnaire. The analytical techniques were; Descriptive statistics, FDT Food security index and Z-Statistics Test. The findings indicated that 53% of the household heads were female while 47% were male. The mean age of the respondents was 34 years; the mean Household size was 4 persons. Most of the household heads (68%) were not members of cooperative societies. The result indicated that cereals, legumes/grains, oils/fat, roots and tubers, sugar and honey and meats were the most common food consumed by the households daily before and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Result of food security status indicated that households consumed an average daily calorie intake of 5860.52 which is higher than the estimate of 1707.88 calorie consumed by the food insecure households. Covid-19 pandemic had effect (p<0.001) on the food security status of households. Food secure households showed higher sensitivity to Covid-19 pandemic compared to 0.807 in food insecure households. The minimum and maximum daily calorie intake of 679.67kcal and 2246.79kcal for food insecure in this study is above the minimum and maximum recommended threshold of 587.58 and 2200 kilocalories for households. The study concludes that the understanding of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on food security status of households is important in developing policy measures such as social safety nets, home feeding program, the school feeding program, conditional cash transfers schemes and improved marketing channels that will help mitigate against households falling into food insecurity during similar pandemic in the future.

Impact of the decision to use healthcare facilities among farming households on labour productivity in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract Productivity of agricultural labour is central to the improvement of livelihoods of rural population. This study used an instrumental variable approach to examine the impact of healthcare facilities use on household labour productivity using distance to healthcare facilities as an instrument. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 200 households comprising 96 users and 104 non-users of healthcare facilities. The result revealed that the agricultural productivity of users of healthcare facilities was ₦652.34 (USD 1.65) per man-day higher than non-users. The result further showed that age (p &lt; 0.1), sex (p &lt; 0.05), contact with health extension worker (p &lt; 0.01), incapacitation due to illness (p &lt; 0.05) and distance to healthcare facilities (p &lt; 0.01) significantly influenced the decision to use healthcare facilities while membership of cooperative society (p &lt; 0.05), area cultivated and use of health care facilities (p &lt; 0.1) significantly influenced labour productivity. The study concluded that increased distance to healthcare facilities reduces its utilisation while being member of cooperative society and utilisation of healthcare facilities increases labour productivity. This study recommended that health extension workers need to intensify their efforts in educating the households on the need to use healthcare facilities when they are sick; this is expected to improve the healthy time of the households which will invariably increase their productivity.

Influence of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Value Chain Activities of Members of Cooperative Societies in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of international fund for agricultural development (IFAD) on value chain of farmer’s cooperative members in Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State. The researcher set to determine the influence of IFAD on the production patterns of farm crops, on the processing techniques for farm crops and on the marketing systems for farm crops in the study area. To guide this study, three research questions and three research hypotheses were formulated in line with the objectives of the study. The study was anchored on Porter’s Value Chain (1985). The study employed a descriptive survey design, the instrument for data collection was questionnaire constructed for the study and calibrated with the 5-point Likert ordinal measurement and rating scale. The population of the study was 268 selected multipurpose cooperatives members in Awka NORth local Government Area of Anambra State. The sample size used was 160 cooperative members using Taro Yamane formula. Adopting a judgmental sampling technique, 160 questionnaires was distributed and 132 copies of questionnaire were completed and returned and used for this study which represent 82.5% response rate. Research hypotheses were tested using Z-Test. The finding revealed that there is a significant influence of IFAD on production pattern in the study area with a p-value 0.0177 (p &lt; 0.05). With a p-value 0.0142 (p &lt; 0.05) indicating a significant influence of IFAD on processing techniques in the study area and with a p-value 0.0162 (p &lt; 0.05) indicating that there is a significant influence of IFAD on marketing systems in the study area. The study recommends that the IFAD should do more in giving financial assistance the women network to have more financial backing which will enable them produce more food and, to organize more workshops, lectures, seminars, conferences among others for farmers.Majority of the farmers are illiterate, adult education programmes should be mounted for them in their various communities and prize awarded for good work. These will help them to understand how to use new agricultural techniques and understand instruction on agricultural handouts and Aspects of agricultural production that are largely the responsibility of farmers must be given adequate attention. Such areas include, for example, food crop production, livestock production, processing, storage and marketing of agricultural produce, pest and disease control

Assessment of climate variability and the determinants of rice productivity in Southeastern Nigeria

The study assessed the variabilities in climate and key factors of rice production in southeastern Nigeria. Trend analysis and spatial interpolation expressed the spatiotemporal variabilities in the climate and rice yield. Copies of the questionnaire were used to assess four hundred and eighty farm households from 12 local government areas. Other analyses included descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and Productivity Index. The farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics show that the majority (62% of them are young males aged between 30-39 years. Over 80% of them were married while about 72% has household sizes between 5-9 persons. A greater proportion (54%) of them generate between N240,000.00 (578 USD) to N480,000.00 (1156 USD) annually. About 96 % have a farming experience above 10 years, while 50% have basic education (primary education). Logistic regression shows that sex (0.02), category of the farmer (0.00), age (0.03) (0.00), educational qualification (0.02) (0.00), membership of cooperative society (0.00), extension workers’ visit (0.03) were the statistically significant determinants of rice productivity in the area. The area experiences significant rising temperatures and declining rainfall. This trend is more obvious in Ebonyi state. Study results acknowledge the necessity of an enabling environment for rice farming through adequate rural infrastructure, improved rice varieties, access to information, and improved government policies, programs, and interventions to accommodate non-ADP rural rice farmers in order to enhance rice production against the unwanted climate changes

Constraints Perceived by Dairy Cooperative Society Members in Dungarpur, Rajasthan

The present study was carried out in purposively selected Dungarpur district of Rajasthan to find out the constraints perceived by Dairy Cooperative Society members. A total of 120 respondents were selected and interviewed personally through a structured interview schedule. Results of the study revealed that lack of awareness about credit facilities provided by the Government and milk unions for rearing cattle (60.00%), lack of affordability to purchase feed additives and concentrates (58.33%), high cost of veterinary medicines (53.33%), low income from dairying (50.00%) and inadequate space for office of DCS (50.00%) were found to be ‘most serious constraints’. While, lack of cooperation among DCS members (43.33%), lack of physical facilities at meeting place (43.33%), technical inability in handling ICT tools (43.33%), inequality in issuing loans (41.67%) and non availability of fodder seeds (41.67%) were recognized as ‘serious constraints’. Non availability of high yielding varieties of fodder crops (40.0%) and non sharing information about financial activities in DCS with members (36.67%) considered as ‘less serious constraints’ and long duration of meeting was perceived as ‘not a constraint’ by most of the respondent. It was also found that economic constraints were a mean score of 3.11 followed by technological constraints (3.03), organizational constraints (2.66) and infrastructural constraints (1.83).

Effect of livelihood diversification on poverty reduction among members of cooperative rural farmers in anambra state, nigeria

This study investigated the effect of livelihood diversification on poverty reduction among members of cooperative rural farmersin Anambra State, Nigeria. The specific objectives are to ascertain the extent to which craftsmanship, paid labour, trading,service delivery and asset income have influenced poverty reduction among members of cooperative rural farmers in Anambra State. The study was a descriptive survey on a sample 142 respondents. Data for the study were obtained using a structured questionnaire and was subsequently analyzed using frequency tables, percentages and regression technique of the ordinary least square. Findings revealed that craftsmanship, Paid labour, service delivery and asset income have significant influence on poverty reduction among members of cooperative rural farmers in Anambra State. The study concludes that four out of the five regression coefficient - craftsmanship, paid labour, trading and asset income - significantly influenced poverty reduction among members of cooperative rural farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Service delivery was not significant but it had positive relationship with poverty reduction among members of cooperative rural farmers in Anambra State thus suggesting inadequate service delivery businesses among members of cooperative societies. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made: Cooperative societies should educate members on livelihood diversification craft engagements to help lift their members from poverty. Cooperative societies should train their members on skills that will enable them seek rewarding paid labour as a means of diversifying their livelihood strategies. The societies should help members obtain adequate affordable credit to go into meaningful trading. This is because trade was found to significantly reduce poverty among members of cooperative rural farmers in Anambra State. Members of cooperative should consider going into service delivery business like financial services which is a trending business today. Apart from commercial building for renting and receiving royalty from farm land, members of cooperative should consider investment in Stocks and securities, real estate, franchise and crypto businesses.

PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF DRY SEASON FLUTED PUMPKIN PRODUCTION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN OKIGWE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

The study analyzed the profitability of dry season fluted pumpkin production among smallholder farmers in Okigwe, Southeastern Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaire and interview schedule using simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result showed that the smallholder fluted pumpkin farmers in the area had mean age of 39 years and majority (61.7%) were female who were mostly (76.7%) married with household size of 5 persons. Majority (51.7%) had secondary education with mean farming experience of 5 years and mean farm size of 0.5417 hectare. Majority (66.7%) were none members of cooperative society and greater percentages (71.7%) have never had extension contact but their mean annual farm income was N73,550. Result further showed that, the total cost and total revenue of production were N163,005 and N338,340 respectively. Net return was N175,335, Benefit to cost ratio was 2.08 and return on investment was 1.08, with shepherd future of 48%. The sources of water for dry season production analyzed, showed that majority (55%) of the farmers use perennial stream, and wastewater (26.7%). Results also, revealed the constraints on profitable fluted pumpkin production in the area. These constraints were categorized into production, economic and managerial. The major production constraints were inadequate improved varieties of seeds (0.518), and poor feeder roads (0.581). Also the economic constraints were high cost of inputs (0.526), and inadequate credit facilities (0.5331). The major managerial constraints were inadequate extension contact (0.5885), poor market information (0.563), and Lack of irrigation facilities (0.518). However, dry season fluted pumpkin production in the area was profitable and recommended regular extension contacts, provision of irrigation facilities and good road network.

FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA- GARRI PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN VANDEIKYA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed factors influencing adoption of improved cassava processing technologies: a case of cassava - garri processing among rural women in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue state, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 160 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire instrument and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The result revealed that the mean age of the farmers was 39 years with majority (94%) of them married. The result further showed that more than half (53%) had primary education with a mean household size of 9 persons and mean garri processing experience of 10 years. The mean annual income of the women was N90953 with majority (82%) not belonging to any cooperative society. The result further showed that only 18% of the respondents have had visits from the extension agents in the last two years and only 16% of the respondents accessed credit for their processing enterprise. Mechanical grater had the highest adoption level of 88% followed by the screw press (54%). This level of adoption can be regarded as low. Age (-.0489), years of processing experience (.0581), membership of cooperative society (.0588) and annual income (.3359) of processors were the factors that influenced farmers’ adoption of improved garri processing technologies in the study area. The major constraints to adoption of improved garri processing technologies were high cost of technology (83%), lack of awareness of some technologies (61%), lack of credit facilities (34%). The study recommends subsidization of these improved technologies so that processors could afford to purchase and make use of them. Awareness creation on the existence and importance of these technologies should be strengthened among cassava processors to enhance more adoption of the technologies.

Attitude, knowledge and perception of choice of cooking fuels: Evidence from two large communities in South‐east Nigeria

AbstractThere has been reported low adoption of cleaner cooking fuel technologies and systems in Nigeria. The literature documents that socio‐economic, cultural/behavioral, and environmental factors influence the decision to adopt alternative cooking fuels. However, there is a dearth of evidence on the most important factors influencing transition to clean cooking fuels in South‐east Nigeria. This study therefore analyzed the knowledge, attitude, behavior and practice of rural households' with regards to transition to cleaner cooking fuels particularly liquified petroleum gas (LPG). The study also analyzed the socio‐economic determinants of the transition to LPG in southeast Nigeria. Two communities in southeast Nigeria that benefitted from the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) project funded by UKAID (DFID) participated in the study. We administered questionnaire to 407 household heads randomly selected from the two communities. This study used descriptive statistics, Likert scale analysis and binary probit model to analyze the data collected. The results show that while LPG was the most (51.84%) preferred choice of cooking fuel, only 0.74% of the households in practice actually used LPG for cooking. The main reason for the very low use of LPG was high cost of LPG and its accessories. The study also revealed that gender, education, household size, membership of cooperative societies, were the significant predictors of clean cooking transition. Therefore, policies and programs should be designed to increase women's access to quality education and encourage them to organize themselves in cooperatives to enhance their access to LPG.