economic practice

ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of climate change adaptation strategies on food crop production efficiency in Southwestern Nigeria. The study used multistage sampling technique and primary data were collected from 360 food crop farmers (i.e. 180 respondents were randomly selected from each selected state from the savanna and the rainforest agro-ecological zones that dominates the region). The analytical techniques involved descriptive and inferential statistics. Results of the multinomial logit analysis showed that household size negatively influenced the use of multiple crop varieties, land fragmentation (i.e. multiple farm plots), multiple planting dates and crop diversification. Age of household head had an inverse relationship with the choice and use of multiple crop varieties, land fragmentation (multiple farm plots), multiple...

Linking Programme Planning Approaches to Livelihood Outcomes of Farmers: a Case Study of Agricultural Extension Services in Ghana ABSTRACT   This study aimed to find out the effect of linking programme planning approaches to livelihood outcomes of farmers and verify which approach is likely to reduce poverty among farmers. The research problem confronting us is that livelihood outcomes of rural farmers have not been improved over the years despite several planning approaches used by Agriculture Extension Services to deliver programmes to farmers. The population of study was Agricultural Extension Agents of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and farmers they provide services to. A multi-stage stratified sampling technique was used to randomly select eight districts out of a total of two hundred and sixteen (216) districts from the ten (10)...

Mechanisms and Pathways for Climate-sensitive Transformational Change of Smallholder Agriculture in Ghana ABSTRACT   Efforts to transform smallholder agriculture and improve productivity have yielded some positive results. Yet, smallholder productivity in Africa remains low relative to America, Asia, and elsewhere, threatening food security and livelihoods. A major reason is the slow pace of transformation in the agricultural production, research and development processes, and the effects of climate change impacts. This thesis examined smallholder transformational change processes using the Transtheoretical (Stages of Behaviour Change) theory in a mixed-methods survey conducted in the Keta Anglo area, in the Coastal Savannah agro-ecological zone of Ghana with over 400 smallholder vegetable farmers. The study found that over 91% of...

Social Preferences for Wetland Attributes and Its Implications for Agricultural Households Wellbeing in Oueme Delta in Benin ABSTRACT   In Benin, Oueme Delta wetlands, as an ecological life support system, play a vital role in contributing to the local population’s livelihood, health and wellbeing. The paucity of knowledge about the value of the Oueme Delta wetlands and their attributes to society, especially to agricultural households undermines the ability of decision makers to develop and implement sustainable wetland use and management policies that maximize societal welfare. To fill that gap, this thesis has been undertaken to reveal to society and specifically to Benin’s wetland managers and policy makers, the value local populations attach to the Oueme Delta wetland attributes, so as to assist decision makers in the decision...

Smallholder Farmers’ Adaptive Capacity and Choice of Adaptation Strategies Against Weather Risks in Northern Benin ABSTRACT   Understanding smallholder farmers’ behaviour in terms of adaptation to weather risks provides the means to design policies that will help farmers address weather risks and have an effective impact on farmers’ livelihoods. This study is undertaken with this perspective by analysing how smallholder farmers’ adaptive capacity affects their choice of adaptation strategies to weather risks. The research sought to, i) analyse farmers’ perceived vulnerability to weather risks, their adaptation responses and assess their perceived and adaptive capacities; ii) identify the factors that influence the choice of adaptation strategies; and iii) assess the link between farmers’ adaptive capacity and the effectiveness of...

Risk Attitudes, Risk Management and Business Success of Micro and Small Informal Agribusiness Entrepreneurs in Ghana: the Case of Agri-food Processors ABSTRACT   Entrepreneurs operating micro and small informal firms including agribusinesses in Ghana face many risks which adversely affect the growth of their firms and subsequent business success. Although risk management is very critical to agriculture related firms, agricultural policies in Ghana have been designed without much consideration to this important aspect of firm management. The impending ‘one-district-one-factory’ policy of the current government for example would need to consider risk management of the firms that would be involved since risk management would influence managerial decisions. The success of the policy would partly be hinged on the ability of entrepreneurs...

The Effects of Outgrower Scheme on Livelihoods of Smallholder Sorghum Farmers in Northern Ghana ABSTRACT   Outgrower scheme (OGS) is widely articulated as an ideal option that can deal with subsistence farming practices of smallholder farmers (SHF) to approach their farming as a business. For OGS to attract SHF participation and lead to livelihoods enhancement, this study argues for strengthening extension services, guaranteed market and promotion of FBO formation as part of the OGS support to farmers. The study also advocates for integration of climate change mitigation services as part of the OGS package. The study combined quantitative and qualitative research methods to analyse the effects of OGS on the livelihoods of smallholder sorghum farmers in Northern Ghana. Specifically, the study examines factors influencing SHF participation in...

Access to Agro-credit by Farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria   ABSTRACT This study examined access to agro-credit by farmers in Kaduna state. This study employed survey research methodology which covered the three agricultural zones in the study area. To achieve the objective of the study, five research questions guided the study and one hypothesis was formulated. Hypothesis was tested using Chow test model. The data generated were analyzed using multiple regression and 4-point likert scale rating. A reliability coefficient of 0.78 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha to establish internal consistency. It was shown that, majority of the respondents (40%) were aged between 31 and 40 years, 32.5% where aged between 41 and 50 years and 18.33% were between 21 and 30 years. About 41.20% of the respondents had no formal education, 34.2% attended...

Effects of Customer Relationship Management on Customer Retention by Agribusiness Firms in Aba Metropolis of Abia State, Nigeria   ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of customer relationship management (CRM) on customer retention by agribusinesses in Aba Metropolis of Abia State. To achieve the aim of this study, fourteen agribusiness firms were randomly selected and from each firm, two staff and five customers were randomly selected. A total of 98 respondents were therefore used for the study. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected using a well structured sets of questionnaire designed for the respondents. The data were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and binary logit regression analyses. The results of...

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...

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:...