Efficiency of resource-use and elasticity of production among catfish farmers in Kaduna, Nigeria

This study employed the use of the Stochastic Frontier Production Function in the empirical analysis of efficiency of resource-use and elasticity of production among catfish farmers in Kaduna, Nigeria. The simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting 60 catfish farmers drawn from the sampling frame obtained from the list of list of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) contact farmers in the four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Chikun, Igabi, Kaduna and Kaduna North, which made up the study area. Empirical estimates from the analysis showed Marginal Physical Product (MPP) values ranged from -430.850 for catfish feed to 1.004 for labour. It was equally established in thisstudy that catfish farmers in the study area were not efficient in their use of production inputs, based on VMPi/Pxi ratios that ranged from -426.71 for catfish feed to 3.46 for labour, with none approximating to unity (which would have indicated that the farmers were optimally efficient in their use of production inputs). Also, production elasticity estimates indicated that the farmers were in stage 2 of the production process, with a return to scale of 0.664. These estimates indicate the existence of intervention points for relevant stakeholders in the bourgeoning catfish business in Kaduna

Public Attitudes Toward Crime and Incarceration in Finland

The following paper provides insights into Finland’s criminal justice system and discusses the policies that emphasize using prison for rehabilitation, not merely for punishment. These methods of prevention and rehabilitation, in conjunction with correctional and educational staff within and outside the prison walls, have contributed to consistently low recidivism rates in Finland. This study discusses many ideological similarities between public opinions towards criminals and crime in Finland and the United States. Like Americans, Finns are intolerant of crime and violence, yet open to the idea of alternative forms of punishment, especially for non-violent and juvenile offenders. People in both countries tend to believe criminals are not born into a criminal life and that societal factors play a role in creating criminal behavior. This study sheds light on both the public support for ex-offenders’ rehabilitation in Finland and the extent to which Americans support alternative forms of punishment. It also provides a narrative of the disconnect between public opinion and what public officials think public opinion is

Profitability of snail marketing in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria

The study examined the profitability of snail marketing in Benin metropolis, Edo state, Nigeria. Random sampling procedure was used to select 60 respondents from selected markets in the study area. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to collect primary data from the respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, market margin, gross margin and marketing efficiency ratio. The results showed that marketing of snail in Benin metropolis was predominantly a female activity. The result also shows that 44.9% of the respondents were above 50 years of age. Majority (58.3%) of the respondents had household size of five or less than five persons. The predominant channel of distribution for snail marketers was from hunters/producers, to wholesalers, to retailers and finally to the consumers. Snail marketing was found to be profitable with the marketers making a gross margin of ₦3,255.90 per 196 small size snails sold in the study area per week. Some of the constraints faced by the marketers were high cost purchase, high cost of transportation and inadequate storage facilities. It was recommended from the findings of the study among others, that snail marketers should form cooperative societies so as to tackle the problem associated with high cost of purchase.Keywords: marketing margin, gross margin, marketing efficiency ratio, snai

Corrigendum: Prevalence and factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection among treatment naïve dyspeptic adults in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

In their published article, the authors detected errors with the initials and address of the first author. These errors have been corrected as appropriate

Costs and return analysis in rubber latex production in Edo State, Nigeria

The study examined the costs and return analysis in rubber latex production in Edo Sate, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling method was adopted to select 96 smallholder rubber framers for the study. The first stage was a purposive sampling of two LGAs and then simple random sampling of 6 villages each from the two LGA. Finally eight rubber farmers were selected using the simple random sampling technique from the 12 villages given a total of 96 selected rubber farmers. Data were collected using questionnaire alongside scheduled interview. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and budgetary analysis. The results of the socioeconomic characteristics shows that the mean age of the farmers was 43 years, mean household size was four persons and mean farming experience was 11 years. Majority (82.3%) of the respondents were male and 86.46% were married, while 92.7 % of the farmers used hired labour while the average farm size was 3.8 hectares The result of the budgetary analysis indicated that rubber production was profitable in the study area with a gross margin and net farm income of ₦162, 000 and ₦149, 408 per/ha respectively. However, the return on investment of 0.71 indicated a low profit level. The major constraints faced by the farmers were high cost of labour, incidence of pests and diseases, inadequate credit facilities, inadequate extension services among others. It was recommended that extension services should be provide to assist the farmers in tackling the problems associated with pests and diseases as well as training of rubber farmers in the area of management practices in rubber plantation.Keywords: Constraints, Costs and Return, Gross Margin, Rubber latex Productio

Economic viability of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) production in Ika South and North East Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria

This study examined the economic viability of okra (production in Ika South and North East Local Government Areas of Delta State. The specific objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the okra farmers, assess the profitability and viability of okra production and identify the constraints faced by okra farmers in the study area. Data were obtained from 113 okra farmers selected using multi-stage sampling procedure through the use of structured questionnaire and interview schedules. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and budgetary technique. Results showed that 51.3% of the okra farmers were females and 90.3% were married with a mean age of 47 years and mean farming experience of 20 years. The average household size was 5 persons while the mean farm size was 2.03 hectares. The total revenue of the okra farmers was ₦235,642.161/ha while the total variable cost was ₦76,022.24/hagiving a gross margin of ₦159,619.92/ha. The total fixed cost was ₦2,735.11/ha resulting in a net return of ₦156,884.81/ha. The benefit-cost ratio of 2.99 and return on investment of 2.03 indicating that okra production in the study area was viable and profitable. The major problems identified by the okra farmers were difficulty getting funds, bad access roads to farms, difficulty in controlling weeds and pests and diseases. The study concluded that okra farming is profitable in the study area and as such efforts should be made by government to encourage farmers to invest in okra production and young people should be encourage into okra production in the study area.Keywords: benefit-cost ratio, economic viability, okra production, return on investment, gross margi

Prevalence and factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection among treatment naïve dyspeptic adults in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Background: Infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and  tuberculosis have received tremendous attention globally but inspite of the widespread nature of infections caused by Helicobacter pylori, little attention has been paid to it especially in the developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with H. pylori infection among dyspeptic patients attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study of 354 treatment naive dyspeptic patients aged 18 to 44 years, recruited consecutively after obtaining institutional ethical approval and subjects’ informed consent. A pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain subjects’ data. The stool antigen test was used to detect H. pylori infection. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection among the subject  participants was 34.2% (38.4% in female, 24.0% in male, p=0.009). The age group < 20 years had the highest prevalence of 40%. Gender,  occupation, increased body mass index, high number of household  occupants, and rural dwelling, were significantly associated with H. pylori infection (p<0.05) and alcohol intake was inversely related to H. pylori infection (p<0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in University of Benin Teaching Hospital is high and factors such as gender, obesity, occupation with risk of contact, low socio-economic status, and poor hygiene, may be responsible for this.Keywords: Dyspepsia, Helicobacter pylori, infection, stool antigen tes

Micro-Credit Access and Profitability on Crop Production in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

This study focused on the effect of micro-credit on the profitability of cropproduction in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. A sample size of 166 small-scale farmers was randomly selected from the farming communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. Ninety two (92) beneficiaries and 74 non-beneficiaries were randomly selected from the study area. A well-structured questionnaire and scheduled interviews were used to obtain data from the farmers. The data collected were  subjected to descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean scores. The mean scores were compared using the t-test. Results showed that the respondents in the study area were almost  uniformly distributed gender-wise. The females were however slightly more, both among the beneficiaries (58.7%) and non-beneficiaries (52.7%). The mean years of farming for both the credit beneficiaries and  non-beneficiaries were 32 years and 34 years respectively. Most of the farmers had farm holdings less than 2.5 ha. The profit margin obtained from the beneficiaries was higher than that of the non-beneficiaries. For maize, it was N145,40.66/ha against N139,178.69/ha, for yam,  N671,588.06/ha against N552,927.93/ha, for cassava N377,194.99/ha against N223,000.74/ha and for plantain N681,416.68/ha against  N430,756.59/ha. Untimely delivery of loan was indicated as the greatest constraint to loan acquisition by the beneficiaries while the  non-beneficiaries identified high interest rate charges by the microfinance bank and distance as the greatest reasons for not accessing loans. © JASE