Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 6. Nos. 2 September, 2009 pp 2-7
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
OF YAM- TOMATO INTERCROPPING MIXTURE IN AKOKO-EDO AREA OF EDO STATE, NIGERIA
ALABI1,
O. O; RABIU2, R; OMODONA3, S, AND LAWAL4, A.
F.
1University of Abuja, Department of
Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, P.M.B. 117,
Abuja, Nigeria
2.Federal University of Technology,
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology, SAAT, P.M.B 65,
Minna, Niger State
3.Ahmadu Bello University, Department of
Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Faculty of Agriculture, P.M.B 1044,
Zaria, Nigeria
4.Department of Agricultural Extension and
Management, Niger State College of Agriculture, P.M.B 109, Mokwa, Niger State
ABSTRACT
This study examined
economics of yam-tomato intercropping mixture in Akoko-Edo Local Government
Area of Edo State. The data were collected with aid of structured
questionnaires administered to seventy (70) randomly selected farmers. Gross
margin analysis; multiple regression; resource-use efficiency; elasticity of
production/return to scale were used to analyse the data collected. Estimated
net farm income was 62,303.55 Naira per annum.
The farm size was significant (P < 0.01). Elasticity of factor inputs
and return to scale give an estimated value of 0.935 which means decreasing
return to scale. The major problems faced by farmers include:- price
fluctuation; poor storage facilities, high transportation cost and high cost of
labour.
Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 6. Nos. 2 September, 2009 pp
8-15
MONITORING WHEAT VARIETAL ADOPTION IN THE IRRIGATED
PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
SAJIDA TAJ, ARSHAD BASHIR MAZHER ABBAS AND NADEEM AKMAL
Technology Transfer
Institute (PRAC), Faisalabad, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the extent of adoption of
new, recommended and high yielding wheat varieties in the irrigated Punjab.
Wheat, which is considered a vital food grain in the Pakistani diet, occupies
an important place in economy. Therefore any development in this crop production
plays a vital role in the food security of the country. Many new, high yielding
varieties were developed overtime and released for the wide adoption of the
farmers but the regular monitoring of adoption of these varieties is not found
which is very important for further progress and improvements. The present paper is an effort to monitor the
adoption of the new, recommended wheat varieties at farmer’s level in the
Punjab using data from a special survey
carried out in three cropping zones (rice-wheat, cotton-wheat and mixed) of the
Punjab during June 2008. Three
districts from each zone were selected purposively and a sample of 238 wheat
growers (89 from rice-wheat, 81 from cotton-wheat and 68 from the mixed
cropping zones) was randomly selected. The data revealed that the farmer’s were allocating 64 percent of their
farm area to wheat crop. Irrespective of the farmer category and cropping
zone Inqalab-91 and Bhaker 2002 were the dominant varieties occupying 37.68 and
30.58 area respectively. The adoption of new recommended varieties like
Shafaq-2006, Sahar-2006, Farid-2006 was quite slow in the irrigated Punjab. The
area under the non-recommended varieties especially Watan-94 was more than 11
percent which needs to be addressed for enhancing wheat productivity. Availability of quality seed of new/recommended varieties should be
ensured for rapid adoption of new, high yielding varieties.
Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 6. Nos. 2 September, 2009 pp
16-22
FACTORS INFLUENCING
YAM MINISETT TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION BY FARMERS IN ENUGU STATE NIGERIA
IRONKWE A. G*, R.
P. A. UNAMMA**, A. C. NWOSU** AND O. ELEMUCHE**
* National Root
Crops Research Institute, Umudike, P. M.B.7006, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
Email: adanmaglory@yahoo.co.uk.
**Michael Okpara
University of Agriculture, Umudike, P. M. B. 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The study was
designed to examine the factors influencing yam minisett adoption by farmers in
Enugu State, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to
select 96 yam growing farmers in the state. Interview schedules were used to
elicit information from the respondents. Data were analysed using statistical
tools like frequency, percentages, means and probit model. The results
revealed high level of awareness
(93.75%) and high rate of adoption (88.74%) of the technology by the farmers.
However, further investigation showed that the extent of adoption was low
(24.71%). The probit results indicated that age (P = 0.05), farm size (P =
0.01), educational status (P = 0.10), membership of farmers’ association
(cooperatives (P = -0.01), frequency of extension contact (P = 0.01) and access
to credit (P = 0.10) were the variables that significantly influence adoption of
the technology. High cost of labour (82%), scarcity/ high cost of fertilizer
(81%), scarcity of minisett dust (70%) and lack of loan (57%) were among
others, the problems encountered by the farmers in adopting the technology. The
study recommended that research and extension should step up promotion of the
technology by ensuring that the complementary input are made available to the
farmers to enhance adoption of the technology. The farmers should also be
encouraged to increase their farm size and join cooperative/farmers association
to have easy access to credits, information, input to enable them adopt the
technology to increase their seed yam production in the State.
Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 6. Nos. 2 September, 2009 pp
23-29
DETERMINANTS OF
ADOPTION OF IMPROVED SEED TECHNOLOGY IN NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA: AN APPLICATION
OF THE LOGISTIC MODEL
AYANWALE ABIODUN OLAYINKA SAMUSIDEEN
Research and Development Programme, Sustainable Livelihoods and
Development Network for Africa ( SLIDEN AFRICA), Abeokuta, Nigeria. Email: sayanwale@yahoo.co.uk
ABSTRACT
The use of improved
inputs has been associated with a substantial increase in agricultural growth.
In this paper, the probability of use of improved seeds given some
farmer-specific factors was examined. Data were collected from 400 farming
households in the Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria using a combination of
two-stage and simple random sampling techniques. The Data collected were
analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the ordinary logistic model. The
results obtained show that the age of farmers, cost of improved seeds, cost of
other input and income of farmers have significant influence on the probability
of adoption of improved seed technology. To this end, it was recommended that
subsidization of improved seeds and other associated input (such as fertilizer
and herbicides) and the establishment of more seed producing facilities is
essential for affordability by farmers. Income of farmers should also be
improved and stabilized through the expansion of the domestic and export market
and price support programmes.
Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 6. Nos. 2 September, 2009 pp
30-34
SOCIOECONOMIC AND INFORMATION-SEEKING CHARACTERISTICS OF FRESH FISH
RETAILERS IN JOS METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
1UMAR
A.G, 1OKONKWO C.N AND 2AKALUMHE C.
1Federal
College of Forestry Jos, Nigeria
2Forestry
Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) Ibadan
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted in Jos metropolis to examine how socioeconomic
variables influence the information seeking pattern of fresh fish retailers.
Primary data was obtained from 50 respondents selected through a systematic
sampling technique. SPSS version 11.0 was used for data analysis. Majority of
the marketers fall within age bracket 35-55years (54%) and the highest
educational level attained for 40% of the fish retailers was primary education.
The major sources of information are interpersonal from wholesalers (62%). Most
of the information received is on type of fish species available (74%); but
the major information needed by all the
fish retailers are on improved methods of preservation/storage, improved method
of marketing and accessibility to credit facilities. Chi-square test shows that
age, education and years of experience are significant to information-seeking
pattern of the retailers. However, years of experience shows the highest
significance (X2 = 26.440, X2 = 1.725 P<0.05, C.C. =
0.1 591). The major challenges faced include inaccessibility to loanable funds
and credit facilities, poor preservation/storage facilities and shortage of
information on value added marketing. It is recommended that appropriate fish
preservation and storage infrastructure be provided at the market in addition
to information in value addition in order to attract fair prices for their
products.
Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 6. Nos. 2 September, 2009 pp
35-43
THE NATURE OF
COMPETITION IN RICE MARKETING SYSTEMS IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA
OHEN, S. B., D. I.
AGOM AND E. A. AJAH
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension University of Calabar,
Calabar, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
This study examined
the nature of competition in rice marketing systems in Southeast, Nigeria. It
adopted a multistage sampling method in. two States (Cross River and Ebonyi
States) geographically located in the Southeastern Nigeria and known for
intensive rice production and marketing. Data were collected from 210 key
actors in the two States. The respondents were stratified into 30 assemblers,
90 wholesalers, and 90 retailers. The
tools used for analyses included percentages, Gini coefficient and means. The
study revealed that the four largest firms in the assembler, wholesaler and
retailer levels of the trade controlled less than 20% of the total sales of
rice in the market. The implication is that none of them could influence
supplies by increasing or decreasing the quantity they sell. Each participant’s
output was an insignificant part of the volume of trade in the market such that
it could not affect the market price. The study concluded that the market
structure of local rice was competitive. The constraints identified by
participants in the rice trade included the presence of stones, sand and chaff
in local rice, high incidence of broken grains, insufficient quantities of each
class (long and short) of rice, low demand, inadequate credit facilities and
lack of standard measures.
Journal of Sustainable
Development Vol. 6. Nos. 2 September, 2009 pp 44-58
ASSESSMENT OF
MONITORING AND EVALUATION UNITS OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN
THE MIDDLE-BELT OF NIGERIA
ALLAGENYI, L. D*., AJAYI, A. R*., AND
ADEBAYO, K.* *
*Department of Agricultural Extension,
University of Nigeria
**Natural Resources Institute, University of
Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, United Kingdom
ABSTRACT
This
study used data from the three of the oldest State ADPs (Nassarawa, Benue and
FCT) in the middlebelt of Nigeria to assess their M&E units. Twenty-five (25) PM&E
staff (20 zonal and 5 headquarter staff in each of the ADPs) were randomly
sampled. A set of structured questionnaires were used for data collection. The
data was analyzed with descriptive statistical tools. The study revealed that the mean age of the PM&E staff was 39
years, 85.0% were males, and 90.0%were married. Majority (52.0%) possessed OND
certificates. It was found that of all the predetermined objectives of the
ADPs, collection of monitoring data regularly to check on progress, preparation of quarterly
and annual progress reports including summaries of expenditures and uses of
funds had generally low degree of achievement at both zonal and headquarters
levels. The study further showed that problems such as lack of funds, costly nature of M&E, lack of
proper recognition of monitoring and evaluation role in the management of ADPs
were perceived to be extremely problematic at both zonal and headquarter
levels. The study also showed that out of the 12 organizational satisfaction
variables, the staff were only satisfied with the mode of operating/executing
of M&E segment of the ADPs. They were not satisfied with the rest of the
organizational variables. The staff would require training in effective
manipulation of communication and information technology such as computers and
projectors; assessment of socio-economic impact by the M&E unit; data
processing/analysis and storage techniques, process of monitoring and
evaluating technical, economical and financial progress of a project;
generation and preparation of reliable planning data; and on clarifying
different concepts with respect to M&E with emphasis on those concepts
commonly used and adopted by the local stakeholders.
Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 6. Nos. 2 September, 2009 pp
59-65
FACTORS INFLUENCING
GROSS INCOME FROM CASSAVA PROCESSING IN IKENNE AREA OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
ALABI1,
O.O; EFUNNUGA2, C.T; OMODONA3, S AND LAWAL4,
A.F
1. University
of Abuja, Department of Agricultural – Economics and Extension, Faculty of
Agriculture, P.M.B 117, Abuja, Nigeria.
2. Federal
University of Technology, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension
Technology, SAAT, P.M.B 65, Minna, Nigeria sate.
3. Ahmadu
Bello University, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology,
Faculty of Agriculture, P.M.B 1044, Zaria, Nigeria
4. Department
of Agricultural Extension and Management, Niger State College of Agriculture,
P.M.B 109, Mokwa, Nigeria State
ABSTRACT
This
study examined the factors influencing the gross income obtainable from cassava
processing in Ikenne Local Government Area Ogun State, Nigeria. The primary
data used for the study were obtained using structured questionnaires
administered to 80 randomly selected cassava processors. Descriptive
statistics, costs and returns analysis, multiple regression analysis and operating
ratio were used to analyse the data collected. The net income was estimated at
N32,948.15 per annum. The constant-value; F-value, and input costs (X5)
were significant (P<0.01) for cassava pellets/chips processors while,
F-value and age of processors were significant (P<0.01) for cassava flour
processors respectively. Estimated operating ratio give a value of 0.9470.
