Information Flow along Catfish Marketing Channels in Nigeria: Whither the Role of Mobile Telephony

The objectives of this study were two-folds; examined the use of mobile phone technology to facilitate catfish marketing and identified the determinants of variations in the frequency of mobile phone use for catfish marketing among agents involved in the marketing chain. The study was carried out in Kwara-state, Nigeria. One hundred and forty respondents were stratified and randomly sampled and data was collected through the use of well-designed questionnaires. Descriptive and Poisson regression model were used to analyze the data. The study identified the use of mobile phone along five communication channels used for catfish marketing. Annual income generated from catfish business was significant in explaining variations observed in the frequency of mobile phone use (p</jats:p

Patterns and Drivers of Mobile Telephony for Sustainable Livelihood among Rural Farming Households in Kwara State, Nigeria

Recently, it is acknowledged that mobile phones, as an asset, exhibits multiple functionalities and diverse applications that cut across all forms of capital accumulation necessary for sustainable livelihood. However, empirical result is sparse in Nigeria as to the impact of mobile phones on asset accumulation. This study examined the socio-economic determinants of mobile phone use and intensity of use for sustainable capital formation in among farming households in Kwara state, Nigeria. Specifically, 120 rural farming households were randomly sampled and count data on the number of calls made with respect to livelihood capitals generated. Binary Logistic regression and Zero-Inflated negative Binomial regression models were used in analyzing the data. The study revealed that 73% of the respondents have access to mobile phone use. The study identifies major uses of mobile phone for sustainable livelihood enhancement activities. Significant determinants of mobile phone use are; possession of formal education, household size, age, marital status, annual farm income, diversity of crop cultivated and the number of family members living outside the community (p</jats:p

An Assessment of the Effects of Root and Tuber Expansion Project (RTEP) on the Livelihood of Cassava Processors in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to assess the effects of the Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) on the livelihood of project beneficiaries in Kwara State, Nigeria. A 3-stage sampling technique was adopted for the study, selecting a total of 80 cassava processors from two Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones in the State. Structured interview schedule was used as instrument to elicit primary data from processors. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the socio economic characteristics of the respondents. The t-test was used to test the hypotheses on the relationship between the income and livelihood of RTEP beneficiaries and non beneficiaries, while those on the socio economic characteristics was tested using the Mann-Whitney (U) test. The findings of the study showed that RTEP provided more than 73 percent of total cassava processing equipment in the study area. The study further revealed that there was no significant difference in the socio-economic characteristics and livelihood of RTEP and Non RTEP participants. There was however a significant difference in their income. Amongst others, the study recommended massive investment in subsidizing critical cassava processing equipment, and provision of micro-credit at low interest rates to cassava processors

Empirical Assessment of Environmental and Health Risks in Intensive Poultry Production in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study was designed to assess the environmental and health risks arising from intensive poultry production in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 120 poultry farmers in Kwara State under the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) were selected randomly for the study, and structured questionnaires were administered. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and the linear regression. The study revealed that about 79.5% of the poultry farmers were literate, having completed at least a tertiary educational level. In addition, the results showed that the environmental and health issues were significant during production and processing. It was further revealed that the type of battery cage used and educational level of the farmers were positively significant, while the year of establishment was negatively significant when it comes to the adoption practices. This implies that the higher the level of education, the more likely farmers adopt improved practices. Moreover, it was observed that the majority of the poultry farmers do not abide by the environmental and public health laws and regulations; therefore, it is recommended that government should enforce strict supervisory agencies of the sanitation/health policies aiming at environmental preservation and protection

An Assessment of the Determinants of Moringa Cultivation among Small-Scale Famers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The current rate of micronutrient malnutrition which afflicts over two billion people worldwide calls for a paradigm shift to approaches aimed at linking agricultural production to improved human health, and livelihood. Recent findings indicate the potentials of Moringa tree value-chain development in achieving a sustainable agriculture-agriculture not only aimed at economic prosperity, but equally at nutritional security of small-scale farming households. However, an understanding of factors that influence the cultivation of this crop is important. This study examined the determinants of cultivation of Moringa crop by small-scale farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. It also highlighted the level of awareness of the benefits of the crop among respondents. The study utilized questionnaire to collect data from 150 arable crop farmers through a 3-stage sampling technique. Binary logistic regression model was used in analyzing the data. Results indicate that 47% of the respondents are aware of the nutritional benefits of the crop and 37.3% grow Moringa on their farms. Furthermore, awareness of crop benefits (p=0.021), farming experience (p=0.063), membership of cooperative society (p=0.07) and the growing of other permanent crops (p=0.001); are the significant factors affecting the cultivation of Moringa crop in the study area. The study recommends the promotion of adequate enlightenment as regards the benefits of Moringa. It also encouraged the utilization of cooperative societies in enhancing value-addition to the Moringa crop. Keywords: sustainable agriculture, micronutrient malnutrition, cultivation, Moring