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Influence of Gender on Sustainable Management of Forest Resources in Abia State, Nigeria   ABSTRACT Forest, which is a major source of resources in Nigeria, is currently facing accelerated degradation and depletion. The growing demand for ecosystem services from forests has led to over-exploitation of the resources, resulting in the extinction of some valuable species. This has continued to impact negatively on the capacity of the forests to mitigate climate change, conserve biodiversity, safeguard wildlife, and protect land and watershed. Approaches to forest management in Nigeria have not involved women in their desired perspective, irrespective of their dominant role in collection of forest produce. The influence of gender relationships on access to forests and forest resource management and sustainability has remained a concern...

Economics of Processing Cassava Into Garri and Pellets in Kogi State, Nigeria Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the economics of cassava processing into garri and pellets in Kogi State. Data were collected from 100 cassava processors (22 males and 78 females) and analysed to describe socio-economic characteristics, identify and describe various technologies used in cassava processing, ascertain gender roles, estimate the influence of socio-economic characteristics on income of processors, determine profitability and identify constraints militating against the processors of cassava in the study area. Multi-stage random sampling techniques were employed in the selection of local government areas, communities and processors on who structured questionnaires were administered. Descriptive statistics, gross margin, rate of return...

Contract Farming and Rice Quality Upgrading: Assessing Smallholder Farmers’ Motivation, Performance and Constraints Under the Business Services and Farmers’ Organisation (Esop) in Togo ABSTRACT Contract farming is emerging as a promising way to upgrade domestic rice quality in Togo. The Non-Government Organisation ‘Entreprise Territoir et Développement’ (ETD) has started promoting a kind of contract farming scheme called ’Entreprise de Service et Organisation de Producteurs’ (ESOP) in the country. The rewards from contract farming could be substantial for smallholder farmers; yet there is a serious concern about the farmers’ ability to stay in the partnership for long term because of constraints that they face. Based on the Modern Contract Theory and the Impact Evaluation Theory, this study sought to address the following issues:...

Income, Savings and Investment Patterns of Small-scale Agro-based Entrepreneurs in Anambra State, Nigeria   ABSTRACT The study examined income, savings and investment patterns of small-scale agro-based entrepreneurs in Anambra State. The study utilized primary data to achieve this objective. The data were collected through multi-stage random sampling technique from 160 respondents. These data were analyzed with descriptive statistics including 4-point Likert rating scale, and multiple regressions. Tests of significant effects and differences were carried out with t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques. Research results indicated that the average age of the small-scale agro-based entrepreneurs were 40years, while majority (33.8%) of them fell within the age range of 31-40 years. Also, majority (57.5%) of the small-scale...

Climate Shocks, Environmental Degradation and Resource Conflict: Implications for Agricultural Livelihoods and Food Security in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria ABSTRACT   There is an overwhelming evidence to suggest that environmental change drives conflicts, and that resource depletion and degradation undermine food security and livelihood wellbeing in communities where people are dependent on land and water resources. Therefore, understanding the vulnerability, food security, adaptation and resilience aspects of climate shocks in the context of land degradation and conflicts has immense practical significance particularly in the climate- impacted and conflict-afflicted Niger Delta region. Employing survey data collected from Rivers and Bayelsa States, this study investigates the vulnerability of the farming and fishing households to the...

Analysis of the Cassava Value Chains and Economic Implications on Actors in Southern Ghana ABSTRACT   Currently, the cassava crop is transiting from a staple food commodity into an industrial crop for the production of starch and ethanol and this suggests probable changes in marketing arrangements and conditions. The present study analysed the cassava chains and the economic implications on actors in Southern Ghana. The value chain actors interviewed include cassava farmers and small-scale (gari and agbelima) processors who were selected randomly and large-scale cassava processors, purposively selected from the Volta, Eastern and Central regions of Ghana. The field survey was conducted in October and November 2016. The study describes a value chain map for cassava using an organogram and uses percentage distribution of respondents to...

Analysis of Factor-product Relationship in Pisciculture Value Chain in Lagos State, Nigeria   Abstract The broad objective of the study was to analyze factor-product relationship in pisciculture value chain in Lagos state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: (i) determine the socio-economic characteristics of the pisciculture farmers and examine influence on their output, (ii) identify the value chain steps in pisciculture enterprise, (iii) determine the factor-product relationship and estimate the technical efficiency in the value chain, (iv) estimate the costs and returns of pisciculture value chain and (v) identify the various constraints facing the pisciculture value chain. The study adopted the survey design. It utilized mainly primary data. A structured close-ended questionnaire was used to collect information from the...

Analysis of Quality and Economic Performance of Extension Services in the South Central Region of Burkina Faso: a Public Private Comparison   ABSTRACT   In the context of privatisation of agricultural extension services as recommended by the Government of Burkina Faso, there was a need for empirical research to inform policy makers about the opportunity of such privatisation. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the perception of farmers under private and public systems about the quality of extension services, estimating their willingness to pay for better and sustainable extension services, assessing their farm technical efficiency levels and analysing the profitability of a private organisation delivering extension services. Four services were selected in this study. These services were: Facilitation of access to credit,...

Banana and Plantain Marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria   Abstract The study was designed to analyze the marketing of banana and plantain in Enugu State. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of banana and plantain marketers; identify the marketing channels for the crops, examine the structure of the marketing system for both crops, estimate their marketing margins at both wholesale and retail levels, estimate the rate of price transmission and market integration among banana and plantain markets, and identify the constraints facing the marketing of both crops. The study adopted survey research design. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to compose a sample of 160 respondents (30 wholesalers and 50 retailers for banana, and 30 wholesalers and 50 retailers for plantain). Data for the study...

Adaptation to Climate Change: Effects of Productivity Improving Strategies on Cocoa Farmers' Livelihoods in the Central Region, Ghana   ABSTRACT   The thesis assessed the capacity of cocoa farmers to adapt to climate change and adopt productivity-improving strategies. It also determines the effect of the adoption of productivity-improving strategies on farmer's livelihoods in the Central Region of Ghana. The key issues addressed in this thesis were: what are the key adaptation strategies; what is the level of farmers' capacity for adopting productivity-improving strategies (PIS); magnitudes in the factors influencing adoption of productivity-improving strategies and the effects of the adoption of PIS on enhancing their livelihoods. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 443 cocoa farmers and 11 local...

Effects of Micro Credit on the Livelihood of Rural Households in Enugu State, Nigeria   Abstract Micro-credit has been identified as a sustainable and effective poverty reduction strategy that can be employed to reallocate resources to the rural active poor. The livelihood of rural dwellers is usually characterized by low potentials. It is however believed that their access to micro – credit may improve their livelihood outcomes such as income, well-being, reduced vulnerability, food security, access to social amenities, economic expansion and employment. Also, it brings additional perspective to the national challenge of increasing agricultural production through sustainable micro-credit schemes offered to the rural households. Paucity of information on sources of micro-credit accessed by rural households in Enugu State and the...