Economic Analysis of Climate Change Effects on Arable Crop Production in Nigeria

The study was designed to evaluate the effects of climate change on arable crops’ productivity, in Nigeria. It estimated the influence of climate factors on farm productivity (net revenue variability) in the country. The study relied mainly on institutional (NIMET) and primary data for its analysis. Data were obtained using a set of structured questionnaire administered in a multi-stage, stratified random sampling manner on arable crop farmers producing maize, rice, cassava, yam and cowpeas. Sixty (60) farmers each were randomly selected from 5 states in each of the five agro-climatic zones in Nigeria giving a total sample size of 300.  Data collected were analyzed using Ricardian model. It was found that rainfall and temperature variations, planting materials costs, household size and labour cost exerted statistically significant effects on level of gross margins.  Their elasticities were 1.199 (p <0.01), 8.219 (p <0.01), 0.108 (p < 0.05), 0.097(p <0.01) and 0.124 (p <0.05) respectively. Keywords: Climate variability, climate change risks, arable crop productivity, Ricardian Mode

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

An evaluation of pharmacology curricula in Australian science and health-related degree programs

Background: Pharmacology is a biomedical discipline taught in basic science and professional degree programs. In order to provide information that would facilitate pharmacology curricula to be refined and developed, and approaches to teaching to be updated, a national survey was undertaken in Australia that investigated pharmacology course content, teaching and summative assessment methods. Methods: Twenty-two institutions participated in a purpose-built online questionnaire, which enabled an evaluation of 147 courses taught in 10 different degrees. To enable comparison, degrees were grouped into four major degree programs, namely science, pharmacy, medicine and nursing. The pharmacology content was then classified into 16 lecture themes, with 2-21 lecture topics identified per theme. The resultant data were analysed for similarities and differences in pharmacology curricula across the degree programs. Results: While all lecture themes were taught across degree programs, curriculum content differed with respect to the breadth and hours of coverage. Overall, lecture themes were taught most broadly in medicine and with greatest coverage in pharmacy. Reflecting a more traditional approach, lectures were a dominant teaching method (at least 90% of courses). Sixty-three percent of science courses provided practical classes but such sessions occurred much less frequently in other degree programs, while tutorials were much more common in pharmacy degree programs (70%). Notably, problem-based learning was common across medical programs. Considerable diversity was found in the types of summative assessment tasks employed. In science courses the most common form of in-semester assessment was practical reports, whereas in other programs pen-and-paper quizzes predominated. End-of-semester assessment contributed 50-80% to overall assessment across degree programs. Conclusion: The similarity in lecture themes taught across the four different degree programs shows that common knowledge- and competency-based learning outcomes can be defined for pharmacology. The authors contend that it is the differences in breadth and coverage of material for each lecture theme, and the differing teaching modes and assessment that characterise particular degree programs. Adoption of pharmacology knowledge-based learning outcomes that could be tailored to suit individual degree programs would better facilitate the sharing of expertise and teaching practice than the current model where pharmacology curricula are degree-specific.Hilary Lloyd, Tina Hinton, Shane Bullock, Anna-Marie Babey, Elizabeth Davis, Lynette Fernandes, Joanne Hart, Ian Musgrave and James Zioga

Acute reduction of serum 8-iso-PGF2-alpha and advanced oxidation protein products in vivo by a polyphenol-rich beverage; a pilot clinical study with phytochemical and in vitro antioxidant characterization

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Measuring the effects of the acute intake of natural products on human biomarker concentrations, such as those related to oxidation and inflammation, can be an advantageous strategy for early clinical research on an ingredient or product.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>31 total healthy subjects were randomized in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, acute pilot study with post-hoc subgroup analysis on 20 of the subjects. The study examined the effects of a single dose of a polyphenol-rich beverage (PRB), commercially marketed as "SoZo^®", on serum anti-inflammatory and antioxidant markers. In addition, phytochemical analyses of PRB, and <it>in vitro </it>antioxidant capacity were also performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At 1 hour post-intake, serum values for 8-iso-PGF2-alpha and advanced oxidation protein products decreased significantly by 40% and 39%, respectively. Additionally, there was a trend toward decreased C-reactive protein, and increased nitric oxide levels. Both placebo and PRB treatment resulted in statistically significant increases in hydroxyl radical antioxidant capacity (HORAC) compared to baseline; PRB showed a higher percent change (55-75% versus 23-74% in placebo group), but the two groups did not differ significantly from each other.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>PRB produced statistically significant changes in several blood biomarkers related to antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects. Future studies are justified to verify results and test for cumulative effects of repeated intakes of PRB. The study demonstrates the potential utility of acute biomarker measurements for evaluating antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects of natural products.</p

Effects of Climate Change, Poverty and Macroeconomic Policies on Agricultural Trade Performance in Nigeria

Aims: This study ascertained the joint influences of climate factors, poverty and macroeconomic environment on agricultural export performance in Nigeria. Study Design: The study is a survey based on time series data. Place and Duration of Study: Secondary data covering 32 years (1978-2009) obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria’s Annual Report and Statistical Bulletin and National Bureau of Statistics were used for the survey. Methodology: The sample size was 32 (years) based on data availability. Data analysis was conducted using bound testing approach of co-integration advanced by Pesaran et al. [25] otherwise known as Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL).model. Test for unit roots in the series were done at their levels and first differences using Augmented Dickey Fuller and Philips Perron tests before applying the ARDL model. Results: Preliminary results from the ARDL model indicated that climate variability (variations in mean annual rainfall), gross fixed capital formation (proxy for wealth accumulated in the economy) and macroeconomic variables including interest rate and volume of domestic credit advanced to the private sector significantly influenced the performance level of agricultural export. However, on the long-run, macroeconomic factors (interest rate and credit to the private sector) and gross fixed capital of the economy (with p values of 0.01, 0.07 and 0.03 respectively were the most significant determinants of agricultural export trade performance in the country within the review period. On the short run, it was confirmed that gross fixed capital formation (wealth) Granger caused the level of agricultural export performance while agricultural export performance level Granger caused volume of domestic credit advanced to the private sector of the economy both with p values of 0.07. Conclusion: It was recommended that macroeconomic policies aimed at increasing farm credit and reduction of interest rate should be strengthened; while programmes to build resilience to climate variability such as irrigation facilities and capacity building in climate change adaptation should be put in place by the Nigerian government

Greenhouse Gas Emission Determinants in Nigeria: Implications for Trade, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Policies

This study investigated and analyzed the determinants of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission in Nigeria. The study relied on secondary data from World Bank and Central Bank of Nigeria covering 40 years (1970-2009). The data were analyzed using Zellner’s Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SURE) model. The results of the analysis show that fossil energy demand or consumption, rents from forestry trade, agricultural land area expansion and farm technology were significant determinants of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in the study area. On the other hand, the second equation indicated that fossil fuel energy demand was exogenously determined by economic growth rate (proxied by GDP growth rate) and farm technology applied in the country. It was recommended that Nigeria should put in place policies that will tax companies or firms emitting GHGs and utilize such tax proceeds for research and building the capacities of farmers to adapt to deleterious effect of climate change in the country and continent. The development of existing and new technologies for adapting to climate change and variability, building of environmental consciousness of Nigerians through curriculum restructuring and provision of weather information services by the Nigerian governments and their agencies to enable farmers plan against weather uncertainty and risks were also recommended

Analysis of Impact of Financial Inclusion on Rural Farming Households in Nigeria: A Review

The smallholder agricultural sector in Nigeria occupies a substantial position in the country’s economy. Available evidence indicates that rural farming households who have remained in the vicious cycle of poverty constitute about 90% of the farming population. Thus, the rural farming households require financial interventions to improve their agricultural production and overall welfare. However, this agricultural segment is seemingly facing a challenge regarding inaccessibility to the required finances with which to obtain the necessary input for attaining the desired farm boost and yield. Therefore, this review is focused on investigating the how financial inclusion could impact positively on rural farming households in Nigeria. Literature search was conducted systematically to collect recent research evidence to support the study. Summarily, it was found that financial inclusion has significant potential to enhance agricultural performance and welfare among rural farmers

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 &lt;strike&gt;N&lt;/strike&gt; 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 &lt;strike&gt;N&lt;/strike&gt; 20,188,142.00. The estimated net-farm income after tax was &lt;strike&gt;N&lt;/strike&gt; 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&lt;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