Economics of palm oil production in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria

With the increasing technological advancement and adoption in palm production, this study examined the economic viability of palm oil  production in Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu state. Specifically, the study determined the socioeconomic characteristics of palm oil producers, different production techniques adopted, costs and return and the constraints that mitigate palm oil production of the farmers. Primary data were collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire from 50 palm oil producers selected randomly from the population. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and gross margin model. In addition to the use of traditional production techniques, producers were identified to be using machine for their production (modern technique) and a combination of both. The gross margin analysis showed that the enterprise is viable and profitable. The study identified inaccessibility of palm fruits, high cost of harvesting, unavailability of human labour, and long duration of processing as the major constraints to palm oil production. The study recommended among others that producers need to form groups in other to be able to purchase modern machines as this will help in their production and also improve the rural infrastructures as it will help to reduce the transportation and the high cost of production challenges faced by farmers especially palm oil farmers/producers in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State

ICT TOOLS AND THEIR UTILIZATION IN ACCESSING AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN RURAL AREAS OF SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Although many studies have been done on ICT usage, most did not explain how effective are some of these ICT tools in accessing not only market information but information on inputs. This article identified the effectiveness of different ICT tools being used by farmers to fetch different information on agricultural activities and other constraining factors that affect the effective use of ICT tools in accessing information apart from socio-economic constraints. The study used structured questionnaires to collect primary data from 360 smallholder farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The study revealed that averagely mobile phone has a mean of 4.29 which was an indication that despite other ICT tools listed for the survey, smallholder farmers in rural area perceived mobile phone more effective in accessing information on agricultural activities. Inadequate human resources, lack of social influence, high cost of repairing, high operation cost, cost of ICTs component, cost of maintenance and problem of theft and general insecurity were other constraining factor that influences ICT use. To reduce some of the hindrance to effective use of ICT especially mobile phone in getting information on new improved varieties which appear to be very important for agricultural sustainability, this study recommends that government and nongovernmental organization should support rural farmer to boost their access to the use of ICT tools. This can be achieved by providing rural farmer with financial aid, subsidizing cost of ICT component as this would reduce the cost of maintaining ICT tools.