Demand for non-alcoholic beverages among urban households in southwest, Nigeria

This study examined the roles of income, prices and household demography in household demand for non-alcoholic beverages (NABs) in two cities – Abeokuta and Ibadan in Southwest Nigeria. The study was based on primary data obtained from a cross-section of 407 households (211 from Abeokuta and 198 from Ibadan) drawn by multistage sampling technique across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 60 National Population Commission (NPC) enumeration areas (EAs). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on households NABs expenditure, income, prices and other relevant socio-economic variables. The data were analysed within the framework of a linear approximation of an Almost Ideal Demand System. The study found that an average household, consisting of five (5) members, expended an average N5, 235.89 per month on NABs (approximately US$34.21 at N153.06/US$1 exchange rate in 2010). The bulk (67%) of the NABs expenditures were devoted topurchase of dairy products (36%) and cocoa-based products used in preparing chocolate drinks (31%). The estimated income elasticity of demand for the six categories of NABs studied were positive while all the own price elasticity of demand were negative. Demand for dairy products and cocoa based drinks were found to be price elastic, while those of carbonated drinks, malt drinks, fruit juice and other NABs were price inelastic. Increase in education of the household heads was found to be associated with significant increase in the budget shares of dairy products (p<0.01) and fruit juice (p<0.10), but a significant reduction in budget shares of cocoa-based products (p<0.05), carbonated drinks (p<0.01) and malt drinks (p<0.05). The study concludes that policies aimed at promoting increased demand and healthy choices of NABS must pay some attention to raising real income and increasing level of education among the citizenry. Profitability of business enterprises involved in dairies and cocoa-based products would also be better enhanced if the firms adopt cost saving strategies as against price hikes in a bid to enhance performance.Key words: Demand, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, LA-AIDS mode

Microcredit Effect on Agricultural Productivity: A Comparative Analysis of Rural Farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study examines the effect of access to credit on the productivity of rural farming households in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were collected, with the use of well structured questionnaire, from 240 small-scale rural farmers, who were categorized into users and non-users of micro-credit based on their statement, through multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, budgetary technique and multiple regression analysis, involving the use of ordinary least square (OLS) method of estimation, were employed in analyzing data for this study. The results revealed that total cost per hectare of credit user farmers is higher (N41,632.53) than that of non-credit user farmers (N32,667.79), indicating misallocation of resources by credit-user farmers. Again, profit per hectare of credit users farmer is greater (N44,466.59) than that of non-credit users (N27,833.03), suggesting that, access to credit could lead to improved farmers' productivity and higher income in form of revenue and profit. Regression analysis showed that only fertilizer and farm size, both being positive, affect credit users farmer's output, whereas, planting material, agrochemical, farm size and fixed inputs affects non-credit users farmer's output. R2 values suggested that variation in output by the two categories of farmers is explained by 57 and 52 percent of explanatory variables in their production functions, respectively. F-value of 9.84 and 10.11 recorded for the two categories of farmers respectively, and being significant at 1 percent each, led to the rejection of the hypothesis of inputs having no significant effect on output. It is thus concluded that credit could bring about higher productivity and profit in agricultural production, hence, this study recommends that existing banks should be encouraged to have more rural outlets, while there should be federal government policy of empowering rural farmers to have access to more agricultural lands.Keywords: Micro-credit, Productivity; Rural-farmers; Ogun State, Nigeri

Analysis of child labour dimensions and causes in rural farm households of Ogun state, Nigeria

The prevalence of child labour use in the agricultural sector has been widely reportedhowever, the intensity of its use is most times masked and marred by the informal andculturally ingrained nature of peasant agriculture. The study aims at understanding thedimensions and causes of child labour among rural farm households in Nigeria. Amultistage sampling technique was used to select 128 rural households for the survey; atotal of 352 children (5-17years) were interviewed to elicit first hand data for the study.Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on child farm work hours, householdsize, income, farm size, distance of home to school and other relevant socioeconomiccharacteristics. Analytical techniques used were measures of central tendency anddispersion, and censored Tobit regression model. Results show that the average age ofchildren is 10 years and many of these children (67.3%) are reported to be living withtheir biological parents. While less than a third (26%) of the children work in paid andnon-family farms, the average weekly work hours per child was found to be 31.31which increases with the age of the child. With reference to loss in school time due tofarm work, it was found that rural children in farm households sacrificed an average of12.9 hours per week (42.9%) of school time to work on the farm; this varies fromseason to season. Age and education level of the household head, farm and householdsize, lack of child-level schools in the community, distance of home to school, sex ofchild, absence of tarmac roads to community and proximity of households to majorroads were identified as factors that influence the prevalence and intensity of child farmlabour use. The study concluded that rural infrastructure development and households’economic empowerment initiatives are central to child labour reduction strategies.Key words: Child farm labour, rural households, determinants, Tobit regressio

Demand For Non-Alcoholic Beverages Among Urban Households In Southwest, Nigeria

This study examined the roles of income, prices and household demography in household demand for non-alcoholic beverages (NABs) in two cities – Abeokuta and Ibadan in Southwest Nigeria. The study was based on primary data obtained from a cross-section of 407 households (211 from Abeokuta and 198 from Ibadan) drawn by multistage sampling technique across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 60 National Population Commission (NPC) enumeration areas (EAs). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on households NABs expenditure, income, prices and other relevant socio-economic variables. The data were analysed within the framework of a linear approximation of an Almost Ideal Demand System. The study found that an average household, consisting of five (5) members, expended an average N5, 235.89 per month on NABs (approximately US$34.21 at N153.06/US$1 exchange rate in 2010). The bulk (67%) of the NABs expenditures were devoted to purchase of dairy products (36%) and cocoa-based products used in preparing chocolate drinks (31%). The estimated income elasticity of demand for the six categories of NABs studied were positive while all the own price elasticity of demand were negative. Demand for dairy products and cocoa based drinks were found to be price elastic, while those of carbonated drinks, malt drinks, fruit juice and other NABs were price inelastic. Increase in education of the household heads was found to be associated with significant increase in the budget shares of dairy products (p<0.01) and fruit juice (p<0.10), but a significant reduction in budget shares of cocoa-based products (p<0.05), carbonated drinks (p<0.01) and malt drinks (p<0.05). The study concludes that policies aimed at promoting increased demand and healthy choices of NABS must pay some attention to raising real income and increasing level of education among the citizenry. Profitability of business enterprises involved in dairies and cocoa-based products would also be better enhanced if the firms adopt cost saving strategies as against price hikes in a bid to enhance performance

Determinants of farm mechanization among arable crop farmers in Ibarapa zone, Oyo State, Nigeria.

This study assessed the determinants of machinery use among farmers in Ibarapa zone of Oyo State, with special focus on its determinants and the differential farm productivity of users and non-users of farm machinery in the zone. One hundred and twenty five (125) arable crop farmers were interviewed using two stage stratified simple random sampling technique while information from sixty (60) users and forty (40) non-users of farm machinery was used for analysis. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, Logit regression analysis, budgetary analysis and test of difference of mean. The study revealed that, relative to non-users of farm machinery; majority of the farmers using machinery were relatively younger, more educated, cultivated larger area of farmland and have more exposure to extension agents. The logit regression results revealed that farm size (p &#8804; 0.10), farm income(p &#8804; 0.10) and farming experience ( p &#8804; 0.10) significantly affected the use of farm machinery in the study area. The test of hypotheses revealed that users of mechanisation significantly made more profit (N73, 299.69) than non-users (N23, 153.87) (p &#8804; 0.10). The study recommended that farmers should be encouraged to cultivate large farm holdings through collective or cooperative effort and that majority of the farmers should be more enlightened to use farm machinery as an avenue for improved farm productivity and profitability. Keywords: Farm Mechanisation; Determinants; Profitability; Arable-crop Farmers; Oyo state Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 49-5

Microorganisms and food safety risks associated with indigenous fermented foods from Africa

Indigenous fermented foods (IFFs) have a long history in Africa and are embedded in cultural norms and practices. Typically, these foods are produced at a small or household scale using indigenous processing technologies. In addition, limited knowledge of good manufacturing and handling practices can lead to production under unhygienic conditions. This results in variations in the quality and safety attributes of IFFs, as spoilage and pathogenic bacteria can be introduced at any stage of the value chain. These foods have an important role in the African diet and can contribute to food security by increasing the availability of cheap, nutritious food and supporting livelihoods. However, the presence of foodborne pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in IFFs may constitute a health risk to consumers. Therefore, this review presents an overview of the microorganisms associated with IFFs from Africa, focusing on microbial food safety hazards. African indigenous fermented foods offer a vast genetic potential of undiscovered strains that possess valuable technical characteristics. However, IFFs may also serve as vehicles of pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genetic determinants. Significant research and data gaps exist regarding the microbiological safety of these food products, which warrant urgent attention. We propose practical solutions for improving the safety of African IFFs requiring action and collaboration from all stakeholders, including researchers, producers, governmental regulatory bodies, and consumers