DETERMINANTS OF TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY IN GARI PROCESSING IN DELTA STATE NIGERIA

In order to determine the technical efficiency of Gari processing in Delta State, Nigeria, panel data were collected over 6 months period from 100 processors, using multi – stage random sampling technique. A translog stochastic frontier model incorporating inefficiency effects was employed to analyse the data, using the computer program FRONTIER 4.1 developed by [6]. The results indicate that there is a wide variation in the level of technical efficiency in Gari processing, ranging from 25% to 88%, with a mean efficiency level of 65%. The technical inefficiency level of processors is attributed to socio – economic characteristics including age of processor, family size, level of formal education, access to production credit, availability of alternative sources of income and membership of Gari Processing Associations. The inefficiency of individual processors was negatively related to all factors and were statistically significant (P < 0.05), except age of processor

EFFECTS OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE AGRICULTURAL CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME FUND ON CASH CROPS

Abstract As part contribution to an on-goin

Descriptive epidemiology of cholera outbreak in Nigeria, January-November, 2018: implications for the global roadmap strategy

Background: The cholera outbreak in 2018 in Nigeria reaffirms its public health threat to the country. Evidence on the current epidemiology of cholera required for the design and implementation of appropriate interventions towards attaining the global roadmap strategic goals for cholera elimination however seems lacking. Thus, this study aimed at addressing this gap by describing the epidemiology of the 2018 cholera outbreak in Nigeria. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of surveillance data collected between January 1st and November 19th, 2018. A cholera case was defined as an individual aged 2 years or older presenting with acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration or dying from acute watery diarrhoea. Descriptive analyses were performed and presented with respect to person, time and place using appropriate statistics. Results: There were 43,996 cholera cases and 836 cholera deaths across 20 states in Nigeria during the outbreak period, with an attack rate (AR) of 127.43/100,000 population and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.90%. Individuals aged 15 years or older (47.76%) were the most affected age group, but the proportion of affected males and females was about the same (49.00 and 51.00% respectively). The outbreak was characterised by four distinct epidemic waves, with higher number of deaths recorded in the third and fourth waves. States from the north-west and north-east regions of the country recorded the highest ARs while those from the north-central recorded the highest CFRs. Conclusion: The severity and wide-geographical distribution of cholera cases and deaths during the 2018 outbreak are indicative of an elevated burden, which was more notable in the northern region of the country. Overall, the findings reaffirm the strategic role of a multi-sectoral approach in the design and implementation of public health interventions aimed at preventing and controlling cholera in Nigeri

Efficiency measurement of cashew nut marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study examined the profit function and structural performance of cashew nut marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Six markets were selected from three Local Government Areas where there is high production and sale of cashew nuts in the State. Data were collected from 120 cashew nut sellers, randomly selected from the six markets. Analytical tools employed were the multiple regression analysis to measure the profit function of cashew nut marketing inputs, Marketing margin, Lorenz curve, and Gini coefficient to measure the structural performance. The study revealed a high gross margin of 36.79% of sales receipt or 58.19% of total variable cost (TVC). This implies that cashew nut marketing was profitable in the area. The marketing margin was also high being 37.50% of sales receipt or 59.32% of TVC. The profit function measurement showed that cashew nut marketing was in a stage of inefficient allocation and utilization of resources. Therefore, cashew nut marketing in the study area though profitable was grossly inefficient from the viewpoint of market structure and profit function measurement. Policy measures that will improve credit advancement to small-scale/micro business concerns and reduce transportation cost are advocated. Agro-Science Vol. 4 (1) 2005: pp. 46-4

Assessing the Financial Health Status of Small Scale Poultry Businesses in Delta State, Nigeria

The study investigated the financial health status of small scale poultry businesses in Delta State, Nigeria using Altman’s Z-score model. The empirical study was undertaken to assess the solvency and hence future survivability of small scale poultry enterprises in the State. Financial data were extracted from three years (2010 – 2012) financial statements of 125 small scale poultry farms purposively selected from farms operating in the State and incorporated with the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission as limited liability agribusinesses. Descriptive statistics which include computed financial ratios, frequency distributions, percentages and tables were applied to analyze the content of the financial statements and Altman’s Z-scores’ were computed for each sampled farm for the three year period. The study shows that in 2010, 47.8 percent of farm enterprises had Z-scores between minus 0.60 to 1.55. In 2011 and 2012, 44.8 percent and 42.4 percent, respectively of the farms had Z-scores between negative 0.60 and 1.55. The study further indicates that 28 percent, 27 percent and 30.4 percent in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, of the sampled farms had computed Z-scores between 2.64 and 4.79 farms. The study recommends the use of Altman’s Z-score by small scale investors as a technique for monitoring the financial health of their agribusinesses to prevent the ugly consequences of bankruptcy and liquidation

Efficiency of Resource Use by Rice Farmers in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria: A Data Envelopment Analysis

This study investigated the technical and scale efficiencies in rice production by rice farmers in Ebonyi State Nigeria using the data envelopment analysis (DEA). Data was collected from a sample of 180 farmers using multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Data Envelopment Analysis (DAE) approach. The result showed that majority of the rice farmers were operating with increasing returns to scale 77.2%, 18.99% decreasing returns to scale and only 3.9% with constant returns to scale. The result further indicated that only 5.56% of the farmers were 100% technically efficient in resource – utilization under variable returns to scale (VRS). Result of the analysis also showed that education level, farmers experience and extension agents visit significantly influenced the efficiency level of the rice farmers. Farm size was however negatively correlated and had no significant effect on resource use efficiency of the rice farmers. The variables having significant influences on technical and scale efficiencies of the farmers such as education and extension agents visit should be improved upon to enhance the farmers efficiency level and reduce resource wastage and increased cost of production