Econometric Analysis of Factors Influencing Fuel Wood Demand in Rural and Peri-Urban Farm Households of Kogi State

This study was designed to determine variables influencing fuelwood demand in rural areas of Kogi State. Eighty households were randomly sampled from all the Agricultural Zones of the state. A 2SLS method was then used for estimation of the coefficients of the simultaneous equation model. The most significant determinants of fuelwood demand in the study area are the price of fuelwood, kerosene’s price, household size and personal incomes of the household heads. In light of this study’s findings, recommendations included reduction of kerosene prices, investment in renewable energy, cooking gas and electricity and use of agricultural extension agents to educate farmers on sustainable farming

Impact of Poverty Alleviation Programmes on Indigenous Women's Economic Empowerment in Nigeria: Evidence from Port Harcourt Metropolis

The study was designed to assess the impact of participation of Port Harcourt indigenous women in poverty eradication programmes in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study used questionnaires to elicit responses from 385 indigenous women randomly selected in a multi-stage technique. Descriptive statistics and t-test were used to analyze the data collected. Results showed that majority (58.3%) of the women were members of a cooperative society, 63.5 percent were members of community-based organizations (CBO) while 60.9 percent were members of “Esusu” (rotator credit schemes). About 66.3 percent of the women had engaged in jobs aimed at poverty alleviation. Only 6.0 percent identified that they were not members of any poverty alleviation programmes (PAP) by government. It was found that after joining the PAP, 75.5 percent of them experienced an increase in income of 36.6 percent. Significant differences existed in the income of the women after joining poverty alleviation programmes. It was therefore recommended that more programmes designed to alleviate poverty in Rivers State should target indigenous women; government should also establish entrepreneurship capacity-building programmes to enable women to bring out their optimal input while participating in the poverty eradication programmes

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

Economic Survey of Oil Palm Products’ Processing and Marketing in Kogi State, Nigeria

This study was designed to ascertain the level of profitability and inherent problems derivable from oil palm products’ processing and marketing in Kogi State of Nigeria. Primary data used for the study was obtained through the use of structured questionnaire and oral interviews. From the six agricultural Zones in Kogi State a total sample size of 60 was finally drawn to form the sampling frame from 3 Agricultural Zones. Descriptive statistics were used to attain objectives 1 and 3; while objective 2 was attained by the use of gross margin analysis. Majority of the farmers obtained their Fresh Fruit Bunches for processing from the village or open market (50%); oil palm processing and marketing is profitable business in the area with a gross margin of ₦603,320.00K and gross margin ratio of 2.72 from an average enterprise; problems identified in the enterprises included fluctuating prices, lack of basic infrastructure and inputs such as capital and processing machines. The study recommended the need for government to hasten the supply of rural infrastructure, reduce taxes and let processors/marketers be encouraged to form cooperatives so as to access credit

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

A Comparative Analysis of Productivities in Shellfish Collection in Oil Spill and Non-Oil Spill Communities of River State, Nigeria

This study compares the incomes generated from periwinkle and dog-winkle catch amongst farmers in oil spill- affected and non-oil -spill-affected areas in Gokana and Khana Local Government Areas, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 120 farmers were randomly selected and data were collected using structured questionnaires and personal interviews. Analytical tools used included descriptive statistics, net income model, T- test and regression analysis model. Results indicated that income realized by the farmers from shellfish sales in non-oil spill-affected Local Government was higher than that of the oil spill-affected Local Government Area per annum and was estimated as ₦407,812.79.00 and ₦182,485.00 respectively. The level of profit recorded among the farmers in the two areas was significantly different with a T-value of 14.42. The null hypothesis was rejected. The regression model employed three functional forms; linear, semi log and double log. Linear model was chosen as the lead equation because of the highest R2 of 59%. Cost of labor and transportation had significant effect on the level of profit. Cost of labor positively influenced profit while cost of transportation negatively influenced the profit. It is recommended that government intervention programs provide a cheaper means of transportation in the area

Contributions of financial sector reforms and credit supply to Nigerian agricultural sector (1978-2009)

This study analyzed the trends and pattern of institutional credit supply to agriculture during pre- and post-financial reforms along with their determinants. It then compared the effects of reform policies on access to institutional credits in Nigerian agricultural sector before and after the reforms (1978 - 1985; and 1986 -2009). Relying mainly on time series data from CBN and NBS, it used ordinary least squares method (linear, semi-log and double log) to model the determinants of banking sector lending to the agricultural sector during the review period. The models were subjected to several econometric tests before accepting one. Chow test was used to verify the presence of structural change in the selected equation before and after the reforms. Results indicated an exponentially increasing trend of agricultural credit supply in the economy after the reform began. Econometric analysis shows that stock market capitalization, interest rate and immediate past volume of credit guaranteed by ACGSF significantly influenced the quantity of institutional credit supplied to the agricultural sector over the period in review. There was a significant difference between the credit supply function during the pre-reform and post reform periods. It was recommended that government must consider interest rate regulation as a veritable tool for making credit accessible to farmers at affordable levels; increase fund allocation to ACGSF; boost monitoring capacity of CBN on banks generally and strengthen the microfinance banks to be more responsive to agricultural credit needs

Modeling the Determinants of Foreign Reserves in Nigeria

This study evaluated the determinants of foreign reserves in Nigeria. Literature relevant to the subject matter were rigorously reviewed. The model of the study hypothesized that foreign reserve (RESV) in Nigeria is a function of some macroeconomic variables. The Johansen cointegration tests established evidence of a long run relationship among the variables. The results of the estimated short run coefficients based on parsimonious Error Correction Model (ECM) indicated that RGDP, oil exports (OILEXP) are positive and significant determinants of RESV. This significant deterministic value of OILEXPT remained up to the first period lag. Expectedly, EXCH was found to be significant but negative determinant of RESV. FDI inflows positively and significantly determine RESV only in its first period lag while lending rate (LR) was discovered to be a negative and insignificant determinant. Similarly, the coefficient of inflation rate (INFL) was negative and significant. However, the coefficient of non-oil exports (NOILEXP), though positive, was not significant determinant of RESV. The probability of the diagnostic tests conducted reinforced the robustness of the model. On the basis of the empirical findings we recommend that the government incentivise NOILEXP as a means of positively affecting RESV. Keywords: Foreign Reserves, Exchange Rate. JEL Classification: F41, C5, C22

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