Comparative analysis of technical efficiencies between compound and non compound farms in Imo state, Nigeria

This study was designed to compare the level of technical efficiency in the compound and non compound farms in Imo state. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 food crop farmers from two out of the three agricultural zones in Imo state. Using the Chow (1960) analysis of covariance technique the farmers were found to be equally technically efficient in the two farm types. The result showed that capital, labour and other inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and agro-chemicals are highly significant determinants of technical efficiency in the two farm types. The results of the returns to scale showed that the farmers operated in region one of their production functions. This is suggestive of the possibility of higher crop output with an increase in the level of aggregate input use in both farm types at the prevailing level of technology

Agroeconomic evaluation of black Sigatoka resistant hybrid plantains under smallholder management systems

Plantain production in Sub-Saharan Africa has been seriously threatened by black Sigatoka disease since the early 1980s. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture has succeeded in developing hybrids that are resistant to the disease, and out-yields the best landrace by about 100%. Beforeintroducing these hybrids to the farmers, their performance at the smallholder environment has to be established. This study was carried out to assess the performance of the hybrids under farmermanagedsystems, using PITA14 (a hybrid) and Agbagba (best landrace). Thirty-six farmers from nine villages were involved. Five suckers each of the varieties were planted in farmers' fields. Data were collected over a period of 22 months on the agronomy, economics, post harvest and marketing. Resultsshow that PITA14 had reduced cropping cycle compared to the landrace. Average black Sigatoka resistant index was 96% for PITA14 against Agbagba’s 48%. The mean bunch weight was 13.3kg for PITA14 and 7.0Kg for Agbagba. Eighty-three percent of the farmers harvested 124 bunches from 81 mats of PITA14, while 55% harvested 62 bunches from 52 mats of Agbagba. Each farmer obtained an equivalent of $8.62 from PITA14 and$4.33 from Agbagba. The post harvest technology attributes wereranked higher for the hybrid. The combination of disease resistance and increased yield by the hybrid is suggestive of its high adoption potential

Economic Evaluation and Prospects for Double Rice Crop Production in Humid Forest Inland Valley : Ecosystems of South Eastern Nigeria

The inland valleys of the humid forest ecology show considerable potential for double rice crop production because of a longer rainfall regime ; but this is not commonly practised. The question as to wether the magnitude of farm income from a second rice crop would lead to its adoption was evaluated. Data was obtained between March and August 1999 from farmers fields and from an on-farm late trial with improved inputs between September and December 1999 in the Ozu Abam inland valley near Bende in South eastern Nigeria. Results indicate that a second rice crop within the year will improve farmer income by 74 percent. Labour costs will reduce by nine percent while capital operating costs will double with the use of improved inputs. However labour bottlenecks due to competition with upland crops, absence of mechanised dryers, power tillers and storage facilities may limit the adoption of double rice cropping. The availability of these farm level equipment and infrastructure may facilitate the adoption of double rice crop production technology in humid forest inland valley ecosystems

Effects of Processing Method and Consumers' Geo-Political Background on the Scoring Pattern of Sensory Quality Attributes of Ugba, Fermented Seeds of African Oil Bean Tree (Pentaclethra macrophylla Bentham)

First samples of ugba were obtained by boiling seeds of the African oil bean tree (Pentaclethra macrophylla Bentham) for 4h (with coats), and the kernels for 12h. Boiled kernels were sliced, salted, fermented at 30ºC for 72h as a usual traditional method. Second samples were also obtained by boiling seeds for 2h (with coats), shelled, boiled for 1h (kernels), sliced and fermented at 30ºC for 48h. Third samples were obtained from the seeds by steeping in water (30ºC, 10h), shelling, slicing, boiling (2h), cooling, and fermenting at 30ºC for 48h. The energy values of ugba samples were 57.24, 55.40 and 55.33 kJ/kg respectively. Acidity (lactic acid) of the samples were 22.1, 20.2 and 19.8 g/kg respectively. The three ugba samples were subjected to sensory evaluation test on a 9-point hedonic scale, using a 24-member semi-trained panel, 8 of which were indigenes from each of the three Imo State geo-political zones (Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri). Results from sensory assessments showed that the traditional ugba sample {boiled (4h with coat & 12h dehulled) & fermented (72h, 30 ºC)} was consistently and significantly (

Forest Spices Market in Anambra State, Nigeria

The markets for different category of spices were compared in rural and urban markets of Anambra State, Nigeria. Forest spices command low prices and is affected by seasonal price fluctuations. Imported and processed spices command higher and relatively constant seasonal prices. Evidence therefore suggests that the rapid deforestation and the open access problem would not provide sufficient price market incentives for the sustainable exploitation of forest spices, unless the enabling technological improvements are provided. Key Words: Forest spices, imported and processed spices, rural and urban markets, and deforestation. Int. J. Agric. Rural Dev., 2003, 4: 110-11