Performance analysis of fault-tolerant nanoelectronic memories

Performance growth in microelectronics, as described by Moore’s law, is steadily approaching its limits. Nanoscale technologies are increasingly being explored as a practical solution to sustaining and possibly surpassing current performance trends of microelectronics. This work presents an in-depth analysis of the impact on performance, of incorporating reliability schemes into the architecture of a crossbar molecular switch nanomemory and demultiplexer. Nanoelectronics are currently in their early stages, and so fabrication and design methodologies are still in the process of being studied and developed. The building blocks of nanotechnology are fabricated using bottom-up processes, which leave them highly susceptible to defects. Hence, it is very important that defect and fault-tolerant schemes be incorporated into the design of nanotechnology related devices. In this dissertation, we focus on the study of a novel and promising class of computer chip memories called crossbar molecular switch memories and their demultiplexer addressing units. A major part of this work was the design of a defect and fault tolerance scheme we called the Multi-Switch Junction (MSJ) scheme. The MSJ scheme takes advantage of the regular array geometry of the crossbar nanomemory to create multiple switches in the fabric of the crossbar nanomemory for the storage of a single bit. Implementing defect and fault tolerant schemes come at a performance cost to the crossbar nanomemory; the challenge becomes achieving a balance between device reliability and performance. We have studied the reliability induced performance penalties as they relate to the time (delay) it takes to access a bit, and the amount of power dissipated by the process. Also, MSJ was compared to the banking and error correction coding fault tolerant schemes. Studies were also conducted to ascertain the potential benefits of integrating our MSJ scheme with the banking scheme. Trade-off analysis between access time delay, power dissipation and reliability is outlined and presented in this work. Results show the MSJ scheme increases the reliability of the crossbar nanomemory and demultiplexer. Simulation results also indicated that MSJ works very well for smaller nanomemory array sizes, with reliabilities of 100% for molecular switch failure rates in the 10% or less range

Adoption of Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) Among Smallholder Rice Farmers in Nigeria Agricultural Transformation Agenda

This study assessed the adoption rate and identified factors influencing adoption of rice technologies among participants of Agricultural Transformation Agenda across the targeted implementation zones of Adani-Omor, Bida-Badeggi, Kano-Jigawa and Kebbi-Sokoto. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting eighty respondents for the study. The data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Tobit regression model were employed in the analysis of data. The study revealed that majority of farmers participating in Agricultural Transformation Agenda Project (ATASP-1) are youths and still in their active age as indicated by the average age of 42 years. About 62% have secondary and tertiary education. On the gender distribution of the people engaged in ATASP-1 project, it was revealed that about 92% were male while only 8% were female. Substantial numbers of technologies were disseminated on rice being promoted under ATASP-1 project and the adoption rate of these technologies was very high. More than three-quarter of the respondents have adopted technologies introduced to them. Adoption of rice technologies among participating farmers is largely depends on socioeconomic characteristics of farmers such as age, education and gender of the respondents. The study recommends that there should be continuous training of farmers on the importance of these technologies as well as techniques behind their utilization to ensure continuous usage of the adopted technologies. Women should be encouraged to participate more in the project and to take up farming as a business. Also, adequate attention should be given to farmers socioeconomic characteristics as these are the determinants of technology adoption. Keywords: Adoption, GAP, Rice Farmers, Agricultural Transformation Agenda DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-15-02 Publication date: August 31st 201

Measurement of Technical Efficiency of Irrigated and Rainfed Onion Farms in Kano State of Nigeria

This study estimated technical efficiency of irrigated and rain-fed onion production in Kano State of Nigeria, and was carried out in six selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 217 onion farmers involved in both irrigated and Rain-fed production systems. The study made use of primary data, collected through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier model were used to analyse the data. Generally, young literate married men with 5 household size and14 years of farming experience were involved in onion farming. The Maximum Likelihood Estimate (MLE) for production frontier shows that the variable inputs (farm size, hired and family labour, seeds and fertilizers) have positive coefficients and were significant at 5% level. This implied positive effect on onion yields under both production systems, while agro-chemical was negative under rain-fed. The mean technical efficiency was higher for irrigated onion farmers than rain-fed farmers indicating that onion production was technically more efficient under irrigation system of production than rain-fed system of production. Educations, experience, membership of cooperative, access to credit are socio-economic variables that reduce technical inefficiency in both systems of production. The following recommendations were made; contract farming, introduction of hybrid seeds, formation of cooperative societies and private partnership participation with government should be encouraged to boost irrigated onion production not only for home and local industry but also for export to other countries of the world. Keywords: Technical efficiency, irrigated, rain-fed, onion production DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/54-02 Publication date: April 30th 201

Proceedings: 3rd International Conference on Food and Agricultural Economics: ECONOMETRIC IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY SHOCK ON NIGERIA’S ECONOMY

The concerns about agricultural productivity and its impact on the economy have been a recurring decimal within the sub-Saharan African terrain, given the abysmally low yields of most agricultural enterprises relative to best practice. Even though the continent witnessed some growth recently, it is unclear if these can be attributed to agricultural productivity, particularly in the crop sub-sector, thus suggesting the need for a robust tool in unearthing this fact. Using Nigeria as a case study, this research explored the impact of total factor productivity shocks on crops and those of associated variables on the Nigeria economy. The study employed the computable general equilibrium (CGE) approach based on the current Nigeria’s social accounting matrix. The result showed that total factor productivity (TFP) impacted positively on numerous macroeconomic indices of the economy, comprising absorption, gross domestic product, export sales, labour supply and incomes, including institutional incomes of households across the various quintile categorizations. The results suggest that implementation of 7.23% TFP growth rate, reflective of the agriculture sector growth rate projected under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017-2020), 50% subsidy as operational under the on-going growth enhancement support scheme and adherence to 10 % funding of the agriculture sector as prescribed by the Maputo declaration, will to some extent, support the achievements Nigeria’s development outcomes, particularly, institutional incomes, in line with its Economic Recovery and Growth Enhancement Plan (2017-2020). However, there is the need to change the direction of subsidy from agro-input support to projects with public good characteristics and for local fertilizer manufacturing, given the need to improve public investments in the agriculture sector and inevitably, the prospect for innovative private investments

Entrepreneurial Skills and Job Preference among Agriculture Undergraduates: Evidence from Niger State, Nigeria

Key Findings -Low level of skills acquisition in the agriculture sector limits youth employment in the economy, even when the preference for agro- based employment is high. -The type of secondary education received by students and their perceptions of the agriculture profession are key factors in attracting youths to the agriculture sector, with implications for the government diversification drive. -The major challenges faced under the SIWES are difficulties in securing job placement, funding and duration of the scheme

Entrepreneurial Skills and Job Preference among Agriculture Undergraduates: Evidence from Niger State, Nigeria

Key Findings -Low level of skills acquisition in the agriculture sector limits youth employment in the economy, even when the preference for agro- based employment is high. -The type of secondary education received by students and their perceptions of the agriculture profession are key factors in attracting youths to the agriculture sector, with implications for the government diversification drive. -The major challenges faced under the SIWES are difficulties in securing job placement, funding and duration of the scheme

Proceedings: 3rd International Conference on Food and Agricultural Economics: EFFECTS OF CONFLICTS ON FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY STATUS OF IRISH POTATO FARMERS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the effect of conflicts on food security and poverty status of Irish potato farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 225 respondents in the study area. Data for the research were collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, United States food security scale, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke model, Probit regression and Ordered Logit regression model. Results showed that about 12% of respondents in the study area were food secured while 88% of the respondents were food insecure with various degrees of hunger. Majority (88.4%) of the respondents were poor and only 11.6% were non poor. Age, marital status, farm size, food expenditure, membership in cooperative and poverty status were found to be statistically significant factors at p<0.01 and p<0.05 levels of probability that affects the food security status of farmers during conflicts while level of education, farm size, labour and non-potato income were significant factors at p<0.01, p<0.05 and p<0.10 levels of probability respectively that affects the poverty status of respondents in the study area during conflicts. Also number of conflicts witnessed, household size and susceptibility to sickness were found to be statistically significant factors at p<0.01 and p<0.10 levels of probability that determine the susceptibility of respondents to conflicts. Respondents perceived and adopted adherence to curfew, living close to security post, cutting the size of meals and participation in community policing as effective coping strategies during conflicts in Plateau State. Agricultural credit should be made available to farmers through government intervention by statutory and commercial banks at little or no interest to increase crop production output, reduce poverty and improve food security status. Security post and barracks should be cited by government in rural communities to guarantee security of life and property