Appraisal of pig production in Songhai redemption farm, Nekede, Imo State, Nigeria

The objectives of the study are to estimate the costs and returns of pig production in the farm estimate the production function of the enterprise and isolate the factors militating against enhanced production performance of pig enterprises in the farm. Data used for the analysis were collected through well-structured questionnaire and personal interview on the piggery units, costs and revenue items in the farm. The results show that piggery production is a profitable venture. Feeding cost accounted for the largest proportion of the total variable cost incurred in this enterprise. The findings revealed that such variables like number of pigs in stock, labor cost, medication cost and depreciated value of capital implements were positively related to output and statistically significant while feeding cost was negative and significant, but purchasing cost was negative and insignificant. It is recommended that alternative feed sources that will enhance cost reduction and increase output be used. Feed ingredients should be subsidized. More competent workers should be employed and the capacity of piggery production in the establishment should be increased. Workers need motivation and more capital should be made available. Keywords: Pig, production cost, farm, feed, Nigeria > Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 208-21

Exploitation of communal oil palm resource and the remedies in Imo state, Nigeria

There is inadequate information and awareness on the detrimental consequences of exploitation of communal oil palm resource in Imo State. This study analyzed the forms of exploitation and the negative consequences as well as the factors influencing exploitation. Data were collected with structured questionnaire from 144 randomly selected respondents in Imo State, and analyzed using means, percentages, net returns and logistic regression analysis. Results show that harvesting of unripe oil palm fruits is the most serious form of exploitation, while reduced income was the most negative consequence of exploitation. Household size, occupation, annual income, returns from oil palm produce, farm size, operational intensity and labor costs were important factors influencing communal oil palm resource exploitation. Pressures on communal oil palm resource would reduce if alternative employment and sources of income are provided, and adequate attention is given to the factors that influence communal oil palm resource exploitation in Imo State. Keywords: Oil palm, rural farm, house hold, Nigeria IJOTAFS Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 23-2

Comparative Analysis Of Organic And Inorganic Fertilizer Use In Cassava Production In Imo State

This study was designed to estimate and compare the net returns of cassava farmers that use organic and inorganic fertilizers, determine the factors influencing the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers and ascertain the farm level constraints of farmers. Data were collected with structured questionnaire from 120 randomly selected farmers, and analysed using percentages, frequency, net returns model, logistic regression model and Z-statistics. It is profitable to use organic and inorganic fertilizers but more profitable to use organic fertilizers in production. Organic and inorganic fertilizers use were significantly influenced by output of cassava, education, household size, farm size, farming experience, extension contact, cost of inorganic fertilizer and availability of inorganic fertilizer. Inadequate cassava cuttings was a major constraint to the farmers and this can be overcome by the establishment of cassava multiplication farms by the extension service. Organic fertilizer should be processed and bagged like inorganic fertilizer to make it readily available to the farmers. > International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 9 2007: pp. 30-3

Urban Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Dry Season Vegetable Production Technologies in in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to examine the constraints and strategies for improving agricultural intervention programmes in Nigeria with particular reference to the National Fadama Development Project, phase two in Kogi state. A set of interview schedule and questionnaire were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage and mean score were used to present the data. Factor analysis with principal component model on varimax rotation was used to determine major constraints while t-test was used to analyse the differences in perception of two sets of respondents to the constraints of the programme. Poverty was the major constraint perceived by farmers (mean = 3.89), while facilitators perceived both high cost of farm inputs and lack of credit facilities as the most serious constraint (mean = 3.38 each). Both farmers and facilitators shared similar opinion on twenty identified constraints and have significant differences in their perception of seven identified problems (p< 0.05). The result however, showed that several factors constrained the effectiveness of the project. The factors were grouped using factor analysis into technical problems, institutional problems and economic problems. For the farmers, the major strategy suggested was supply of farm machineries (65.2%), while facilitators suggested supply of subsidies and training opportunities for farmers (87.5%). It was recommended that, employment of project staff should be specific to only those with good agricultural background especially in crop science and agricultural extension to allow for effective relationship between the project and farmers

Urban Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Dry Season Vegetable Production Technologies in in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to examine the constraints and strategies for improving agricultural intervention programmes in Nigeria with particular reference to the National Fadama Development Project, phase two in Kogi state. A set of interview schedule and questionnaire were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage and mean score were used to present the data. Factor analysis with principal component model on varimax rotation was used to determine major constraints while t-test was used to analyse the differences in perception of two sets of respondents to the constraints of the programme. Poverty was the major constraint perceived by farmers (mean = 3.89), while facilitators perceived both high cost of farm inputs and lack of credit facilities as the most serious constraint (mean = 3.38 each). Both farmers and facilitators shared similar opinion on twenty identified constraints and have significant differences in their perception of seven identified problems (p< 0.05). The result however, showed that several factors constrained the effectiveness of the project. The factors were grouped using factor analysis into technical problems, institutional problems and economic problems. For the farmers, the major strategy suggested was supply of farm machineries (65.2%), while facilitators suggested supply of subsidies and training opportunities for farmers (87.5%). It was recommended that, employment of project staff should be specific to only those with good agricultural background especially in crop science and agricultural extension to allow for effective relationship between the project and farmers