Farmers' Perception and Management of Natural Hazards in Production and Security of Farm Investment in Isuikwuato, Abia State, Nigeria

This study on farmers' perception and management of natural hazards in production and security of farm investment was carried out in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. The study was sought to identify farmers' perceived natural hazards in food production; identify adopted measures used in mitigating impacts of the hazards and determined factors that influenced farmers from taking formal insurance policy against these hazards. Sixty farmers were chosen following a multi-stage random sampling technique. The instrument of data collection was via a set of semi-structured questionnaire which was administered by personal interview method. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, 5 point likert scale and probit regression model. The result revealed fire outbreak, outbreak of diseases and pests, flooding, erosion, drought, theft, and ill health as natural hazards experienced by the farmers. The most perceived hazard was fire outbreak and the least perceived was floods. Farmers' level of education, farming experience, previous farm income and enterprise type were significant determinants of farmer's decision to take formal insurance. Experienced farmers mitigated effects of these hazards using cultural techniques. We recommended that government should provide a cushion infrastructure in form of dams to conserve floods and flowing streams to provide water for irrigation and ameliorate effects of occasional droughts and erratic rainfall. Farmers on their part should be encouraged by farm extension agency to take up formal insurance policy from designate companies against losses to their investments

Socio – Economic Determinants Of Agricultural Production By Women Farmers In Abia State, Nigeria

This study examined socio-economic determinants of agricultural production by women farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. Data was collected from 120 women farmers across the three agricultural zones of Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia using a well structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analysis. The descriptive statistics used were frequency distributions expressed in percentages. The inferential statistics was the Ordinary least Square (OLS) used to determine significant factors influencing women agricultural production. The results showed that occupation (X3); farm size (X6) and level of expected Income (X8) exerted positive and significant influence on agricultural production by women farmers as shown at 1.0% alpha level. As farm size (X6) and level of expected farm income (X8) increased, the agricultural output also increased. Women farmers who took farming as their major occupation produced relatively more output. International Journal of Agriculture and Development Vol. 9 2007: pp. 71-7

TRADE ENHANCEMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF DESSERT BANANA FRUITS AND ESTIMATES OF TRANSACTION COSTS IN OKIGWE METROPOLIS, IMO STATE NIGERIA

This study on trade enhancement Characteristics of sweet (dessert) banana fruit and estimation of transaction costs was conducted in Okigwe Metropolis of Imo State, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 80 respondents comprising 40 dessert banana traders (panelists) and 40 dessert banana consumers. Monthly trade data was collected from the respondents using pretested semi-structured questionnaire during dry season (November-April) and rain season (May-October) for the year 2012. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis; with transaction costs estimated as ex ante and ex post components. Hedonic pricing regression model was used in determining buyer socioeconomic/banana attributes that influenced willingness to pay price. Fruit characteristics that significantly enhanced trade of sweet banana in descending order were taste (3.83), fruit variety (3.57), and fruit skin colour (3.50). Other significant factors were level of ripeness (3.49), availability in off-season (3.46), fruit size (3.20) and cleanliness (3.20). Mean ex-ante transaction costs for sweet banana was N77, 800.00/trader and its mean ex-post transaction cost was N25,080.00/trader. We recommended that traders should take advantage of Global Mobile System (GSM) to overcome information barriers on banana trading. Government and health institutions should intensify consumer safety education, and encourage horticultural unions to heighten postharvest monitoring of stored and displayed dessert banana fruits to enforce observance of ripening standards

TRADE ENHANCEMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF DESSERT BANANA FRUITS AND ESTIMATES OF TRANSACTION COSTS IN OKIGWE METROPOLIS, IMO STATE NIGERIA

This study on trade enhancement Characteristics of sweet (dessert) banana fruit and estimation of transaction costs was conducted in Okigwe Metropolis of Imo State, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 80 respondents comprising 40 dessert banana traders (panelists) and 40 dessert banana consumers. Monthly trade data was collected from the respondents using pretested semi-structured questionnaire during dry season (November-April) and rain season (May-October) for the year 2012. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis; with transaction costs estimated as ex ante and ex post components. Hedonic pricing regression model was used in determining buyer socioeconomic/banana attributes that influenced willingness to pay price. Fruit characteristics that significantly enhanced trade of sweet banana in descending order were taste (3.83), fruit variety (3.57), and fruit skin colour (3.50). Other significant factors were level of ripeness (3.49), availability in off-season (3.46), fruit size (3.20) and cleanliness (3.20). Mean ex-ante transaction costs for sweet banana was N77, 800.00/trader and its mean ex-post transaction cost was N25,080.00/trader. We recommended that traders should take advantage of Global Mobile System (GSM) to overcome information barriers on banana trading. Government and health institutions should intensify consumer safety education, and encourage horticultural unions to heighten postharvest monitoring of stored and displayed dessert banana fruits to enforce observance of ripening standards