Large-Scale Land Acquisitions by Foreign Investors in West Africa: Learning Points

Recent reports indicating that large portions of land (estimated 50-80m hectares) have been bought by international investors in middle- and low-income countries, with roughly two-thirds of those purchases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, calls for a cursory appraisal of the implications of the trend of land grabbing for West African food security. This study reviews cases of land grabbing by foreign investors in West Africa, identifies the possible drivers of large-scale land acquisition by foreign investors in the region, and discusses the implications of the findings for agricultural and land policy reforms in West Africa. Land transactions involving foreign investors have increased in the area over the past 10 years. Over 100,000 ha have been documented in Nigeria. Ghana and Mali have many significant transactions on land by foreign investors. Several investors have more than 100,000ha. Burkina Faso has one significant land transaction (200,000 ha) while Niger and Senegal have relatively small land transactions. Most lands grabbed in West Africa were profit driven (by biofuel investors) and were made under the guise of using the lands acquired for agricultural investments. There were noted dangers in the deals with respect to food security drive, food safety, environmental safety, employment generation, and land tenure threats, which endangered peace, sovereignty, and the economic wellbeing of citizens. We recommend applying a regional approach by African countries, implementing land reforms that will involve the local communities who own the land, stopping long-term leasing beyond 50 years, building capacity, and creating awareness about land transactions of large magnitudes

Econometric Analysis of Influences of Trade Openness, Economic Growth and Urbanization on Greenhouse Gas Emission in Africa (1960-2010)

This study investigated the influences of economic growth, increased urbanization and trade openness on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Africa. The study used time series data accessed from World Bank Data Base and Environmental Information Association (EIA) covering 51 years (1960-2010). The data were subjected to various econometric tests including Unit root tests before applying the bound test for cointegration using Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). It was found that GDP growth rate (p<0.05) and trade openness (p<0.05) were the major long-run and short-run determinants of emissions (Green House Gas emissions) on the continent. The findings which agreed with other environmental economists’ and Kuznet’s postulation informed us to recommend that African countries should begin to take proactive measures that will bring about green economy on the continent. Keywords: Green House Gas Emission in Africa, Economic Growth, Trade Openness, Urbanizatio

Does Multilateralism Crowd Out Intra-Group Trade? Evidence From Some Developing Regions

The literature is ambiguous on the nature of the relationship between multilateral trade negotiations and growth of intra-group trade. However, both the WTO and proponents ofliberalization maintain that the relationship is positive and that the WTO supports regional bodies and intra-group trade. But does evidence support this? It is possible that the WTO supports regional bonding, while its existence discourages growth of actual trade and development of institutions within regions. Our findings seem to support this view, particularly for southern countries as shown by trends in intra-group trade captured in this work

Participation of Stakeholders in Aquaculture Value Chain of the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme in Nigeria

The study assessed gender mainstreaming in West African Agricultural Productivity Programme in aquaculture value chain of the Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria. A two stage sampling technique was used to select 294 value chain actors across 20 communities. Also, Pie charts, logistics regression analysis, 3 point Likert-type scale rating technique and strategic decision matrix were used to analyse primary data. The result shows that 40% of the beneficiaries of fingerlings, fish feed and fish ponds in the programme were men, 26% were women and 34% were youths. Also, 49% of the beneficiaries of improved variety of crop seeds were men, 30% were youths and 21% were women while 66% of the beneficiaries of the NIFFR-WAAPP improved smoking kilns were women, 13% were men and 21% were youths. The determinants of participation in the programme were marital status, extension visits, membership of an association and experience. Furthermore, there were moderate financial requirements (need for loan and equipment) in feed milling (2.23), fish processing (2.30) and wholesale marketing (2.02), while the financial requirement in table-size fish farming was high (2.59). There were moderate development potentials (impacts on income, employment, poverty reduction and food security) in feed milling (2.33), fish processing (2.32) and wholesale marketing (1.99), while the development potential of table-size fish farming was high (2.55). It is therefore recommended that future interventions/programmes in the value chain should make necessary provisions for the financial needs of each value chain with the adoption of backward-forward integration of women and youths in the value chain

Participation of Stakeholders in Aquaculture Value Chain of the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme in Nigeria

The study assessed gender mainstreaming in West African Agricultural Productivity Programme in aquaculture value chain of the Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria. A two stage sampling technique was used to select 294 value chain actors across 20 communities. Also, Pie charts, logistics regression analysis, 3 point Likert-type scale rating technique and strategic decision matrix were used to analyse primary data. The result shows that 40% of the beneficiaries of fingerlings, fish feed and fish ponds in the programme were men, 26% were women and 34% were youths. Also, 49% of the beneficiaries of improved variety of crop seeds were men, 30% were youths and 21% were women while 66% of the beneficiaries of the NIFFR-WAAPP improved smoking kilns were women, 13% were men and 21% were youths. The determinants of participation in the programme were marital status, extension visits, membership of an association and experience. Furthermore, there were moderate financial requirements (need for loan and equipment) in feed milling (2.23), fish processing (2.30) and wholesale marketing (2.02), while the financial requirement in table-size fish farming was high (2.59). There were moderate development potentials (impacts on income, employment, poverty reduction and food security) in feed milling (2.33), fish processing (2.32) and wholesale marketing (1.99), while the development potential of table-size fish farming was high (2.55). It is therefore recommended that future interventions/programmes in the value chain should make necessary provisions for the financial needs of each value chain with the adoption of backward-forward integration of women and youths in the value chain

Large-Scale Land Acquisitions by Foreign Investors in West Africa: Learning Points

Recent reports indicating that large portions of land (estimated 50-80m hectares) have been bought by international investors in middle- and low-income countries, with roughly two-thirds of those purchases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, calls for a cursory appraisal of the implications of the trend of land grabbing for West African food security. This study reviews cases of land grabbing by foreign investors in West Africa, identifies the possible drivers of large-scale land acquisition by foreign investors in the region, and discusses the implications of the findings for agricultural and land policy reforms in West Africa. Land transactions involving foreign investors have increased in the area over the past 10 years. Over 100,000 ha have been documented in Nigeria. Ghana and Mali have many significant transactions on land by foreign investors. Several investors have more than 100,000ha. Burkina Faso has one significant land transaction (200,000 ha) while Niger and Senegal have relatively small land transactions. Most lands grabbed in West Africa were profit driven (by biofuel investors) and were made under the guise of using the lands acquired for agricultural investments. There were noted dangers in the deals with respect to food security drive, food safety, environmental safety, employment generation, and land tenure threats, which endangered peace, sovereignty, and the economic wellbeing of citizens. We recommend applying a regional approach by African countries, implementing land reforms that will involve the local communities who own the land, stopping long-term leasing beyond 50 years, building capacity, and creating awareness about land transactions of large magnitudes

Marketing Margins and Efficiencies of Smoked Fish in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria

The study analyzed the marketing margins and efficiencies of smoked fish in Kainji Lake Basin Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of smoked fish marketers, estimated the cost and returns, profit margins and efficiency of smoked fish marketing, evaluated the effects of socio-economic and institutional determinants of net-income of smoked fish marketers and examined the challenges of smoked fish marketers. A 2-stage sampling procedure was used to select 60 wholesale marketers of smoked catfish from a population of 107 catfish marketers. Primary data were collected with the aid of questionnaires administered through interview schedule. Data were presented with descriptive statistics such as percentages and 4-point Likert rating scale. Also, net marketing margin, net profit margin, marketing efficiencies and two-stage least square regression analysis were used to analyze data. Results showed that majority (55 %) of the fish marketers were men with a mean age of 40 years while 36.67 % had experience of 11-15 years. Marketing of smoked catfish is profitable with a net profit margin of 3.49 % and marketing efficiency of 189.79 %. Also, the significant socio-economic and institutional determinants of net-income were age, years of experience and levy while the major challenges of fish marketing were poor pricing (̅=3.88), high cost of transportation (̅=3.28) and access to capital (̅=2.80). It is based on these findings the study recommends that there should be effective price regulations by market unions to stabilize prices of fish in major market centers

Socio-economic determinants of net-income in fish farming in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria onomic determinants of net-income in fish farming in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria

The study analyzed the socio-economic determinants of net-income in aquaculture of Kainji, Lake Basin, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the; fish farming systems; cost and returns, socio-economic determinants of net-farm income and challenges of fish farming in the area. The study adopted a two-stage sampling procedure to select 120 table-size fish farmers. Data were collected with questionnaires that were administered through face-to-face interview and analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary technique and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that 35.00 % of the fish farmers were within the age bracket of 31-40 years, 53.34 % were men, 91.67 % were married, 55.83 % had between 1-5 years of experience in fish farming and 75.83 % had tertiary educational qualification. Majority (92 %) of the fish farmers practiced the monoculture of catfish using earthen ponds system. The estimated total expenses were <strike>N</strike> 14,953,330.74 while the total revenue generated from 9 fish ponds, each stocked with an average of 3883.986 fingerlings in 2 cycles per year was <strike>N</strike> 20,188,142.00. The estimated net-farm income after tax was <strike>N</strike> 5,234,811.26 while the net profit margin and return on investment was 25.93 % and 35% respectively. Age, experience and household size were positive and significant (p<0.05) socio-economic factors that affected net-farm income while the challenges of fish farming were high cost of feed ( ̅x=3.24), poor pricing ( ̅x =3.11), poor access to capital ( ̅x=3.09) and persistent poaching/theft ( ̅x= 2.67). Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that there should be an intensive research by the fish nutrition division of National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR) on the possible alternatives of crude protein source that could be a perfect substitute to Clupeids in fish feeds. Keywords: aquaculture, catfish, socio-economic, profitability, farmer