Assessment of food crop farmers indigenous strategies to climate change mitigation and adaptation in Imo State, Nigeria

Food crop farmers’ indigenous strategies to climate change mitigation and adaptation in Imo State, Nigeria was analyzed. The specific objectives were to; ascertain food crop farmers’ awareness of climate change; determine the farmers’ perceived effects of climate change on food crop production in the study area; identify the indigenous strategies adopted in climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as identify constraints faced by farmers in mitigating and adapting to climate change in the study area. The study used 2018 survey data from rural farming households which were selected using a random sampling technique. The farmers (65.30%) were aware of climate change effects on crop production. Indigenous strategies used include use of disease resistant varieties (58.33%), livelihood diversification (37.50%) and agro forestry practices (63.89%).The study recommends the establishment of research institutes to investigate successful adaptation and mitigation measures for scaling up and down as well as expansion of agricultural extension advisory services to educate farmers on indigenous strategies to mitigate climate change effect on crop production.Keywords: Perceived, Awareness, Indigenous, Climate Change, Farmer

Determinants of Access to Landholding in Female-Headed Cassava Farming Households in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria.

This study on determinants of access to landholding by female-headed households involved in Individual tenure system in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria was carried out to ascertain the access to farmland by gender in individual tenure systems in the area as well as identifying the factors affecting access to landholding of female-headed cassava-based farming households under individual tenure system. A multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted for this study while data were collected through primary sources. The sample size consists of male and female headed households involved in individual tenure system respectively making a total of 234 cassava farming household respondents. Descriptive statistics as well as multiple regression technique were employed in analyzing the field data. Male headed households had more access to farmland than female headed households. Results show that age, income, asset size, farming experience, level of education, access to credit, land prices and location of farmland were factors affecting access to landholding by female headed households under individual tenure system in the study area

Analysis of cocoa processing and marketing in Abia state, Nigeria

The study analysed Cocoa processing and marketing in Abia State, Nigeria. It specifically assessed the socio-economic characteristics of the cocoa  processors, the structure and conduct of cocoa processors, cost and returns, marketing efficiency and constraints to cocoa processing and marketing in the study area. A total of 120 cocoa processors and marketers were randomly selected from the selected local governments  purposively chosen using a multistage sampling procedure. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from cocoa processors who also engage in marketing of cocoa. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results show that majority (56.7%) of the processors and marketers were males, with a mean age of 51.35 years, literates (98.3%), married (86.7%), members of cooperative society (75%,), had extension contact (60%) and have a mean household size of 5 persons with 11.2 years processing and marketing experience. Cost and return analysis revealed that cocoa processing and marketing is a profitable venture and the marketers were efficient at their trade. Multiple Regression result revealed that Age, Educational level, household size, were significant variables that influence marketing efficiency of processors and marketers in the study area. Constraints identified include; transportation, spoilage, price fluctuation amongst others. The study recommends among others the provision of infrastructure like modern processing facilities and good road network by government to improve efficiency in processing and marketing of cocoa. Keywords: Cocoa processing, Cost-return, Efficiency, Marketin