ROLE OF WOMEN FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF BAUCHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAUCHI STATE.

This study was aimed at examining the role of Women farmers’ cooperative Societies in Agricultural Production in Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State Nigeria. A total of eighty (80) women farmers were randomly selected from eight Cooperative societies which represent 50% of all registered and viable Cooperative Societies in the study area. Data were collected using well-structured pre-tested interview schedules, and analysed by means of descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, percentages and means). The results indicated that women Cooperative Societies in the study area were engaged in agricultural activities, such as land clearance (62.5%), planting and transplanting (62.5%) weeding (40%), fertilizer application (75%), food processing (87.5%), food storage (95%) and animal production and management (94%) respectively. The average land size of the respondents was 1.3 hectare. Constraints to their development efforts included inadequacy of finance; lack of training of their members, inadequate farm implements and lack of suitable machines for Women farmer’s use. Government should provide soft and medium term loan to women cooperative societies. Extension staff should make women cooperative societies as a target group for quick delivery of extension services. Apparently technologies for Women farmers should be made available and affordable to all women farmers particularly members of Cooperative Societies.Agribusiness,

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BROILER PRODUCTION AT MIANGO PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

This paper evaluate the economics of broiler production at Miango, Plateau State, Nigeria using a – 9 years record (1992 – 2000). During the period, 76 batches of broilers were reared to point of slaughter. The results shows that the enterprise incurred an average total variable cost of N620,6333.31 out of which feeding cost, day old chicks (stock) and mortality cost represents 58.13%, 19.13% and of 9.64% of the total cost of production, respectively. Total revenue within the period was estimated to be N763,969.44 which was mainly generated from the sales of broiler birds. The gross margin was found to be N143,334.13 with N0.23 as the returns per naira invested in the enterprise. Thus the broiler production is a profitable venture in the study area.Broilers, Income, Investment & Profitability, Livestock Production/Industries,

Adoption Of Improved Technologies In Spyabean Processing And Utilization In Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area Of Bauchi State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to assess the adoption of improved technologies (innovations) in soyabean processing and utilization in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria. Three villages were selected from the study area and fifteen farmers from each village were selected, using simple random sampling technique. Twenty soyabean innovations in processing and utilization were selected for the study based on the local diet of the farmers and ease of fortification. An interview schedule was used to collect data on socio-economic characteristics, sources of information on soyabean improved technologies and level of adoption of soyabean improved technologies of the respondents. Descriptive and multiple regression statistics were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that some socio-economic characteristics significantly influenced soyabean innovation adoption (P<0.05 and P<0.01) both positively and negatively. These included: age (+ve), educational level (-ve), farm size (-ve), social participation (-ve) and awareness (-ve) while other four factors were not significant. Among the farmers selected for the study, those who had only primary and secondary education were the majority with 40% and 44%, respectively, 13% had tertiary education, while 2% had only quranic education. The results also showed that many farmers (64%) acquired information from friends/neighbours followed by extension contact (55%) and a few (42%) from radio/television. Out of 20 soyabean innovations, only six were adopted. Soya daddawa had the highest adoption of 78% followed by soya cheese (67%), soya kunu (29%), soya milk (28%), soya pap (22%) and the least adopted was soya vegetable soup with 4%. The level of adoption in this area seemed to be very low due to lack of adequate information and limited understanding. To increase protein food intake, adoption of soyabean improved technologies should be encouraged. Efforts should be made by extension workers to create more awareness on the importance of these innovations and on methods of processing. This way, consumption of soyabean can be enhanced to help reduce problems of malnutrition in both children and adults

ROLE OF WOMEN FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF BAUCHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAUCHI STATE.

This study was aimed at examining the role of Women farmers’ cooperative Societies in Agricultural Production in Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State Nigeria. A total of eighty (80) women farmers were randomly selected from eight Cooperative societies which represent 50% of all registered and viable Cooperative Societies in the study area. Data were collected using well-structured pre-tested interview schedules, and analysed by means of descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, percentages and means). The results indicated that women Cooperative Societies in the study area were engaged in agricultural activities, such as land clearance (62.5%), planting and transplanting (62.5%) weeding (40%), fertilizer application (75%), food processing (87.5%), food storage (95%) and animal production and management (94%) respectively. The average land size of the respondents was 1.3 hectare. Constraints to their development efforts included inadequacy of finance; lack of training of their members, inadequate farm implements and lack of suitable machines for Women farmer’s use. Government should provide soft and medium term loan to women cooperative societies. Extension staff should make women cooperative societies as a target group for quick delivery of extension services. Apparently technologies for Women farmers should be made available and affordable to all women farmers particularly members of Cooperative Societies

Profitability Assessment of Small Scale Agribusiness Enterprises: A Case study of Bakeries in Bauchi.

This study examined the profitability status of small scale agribusiness enterprises with particular reference to bakeries in Bauchi metropolis. A sample, of thirty five (35) bakeries ware randomly selected as sample from the study. The Master bakers of the_ bakeries· were given structured questionnaire to collect their responses on various items of interest. Similarly,· additional information was collected using interview schedule to clarify· facts that are not properly that the total cost of production and the total revenue generated were N48,939.70 and N51,368.00 respectively; while a net profit of N2428.30 was realized from daily production. This study encourages the need for an increase in the production of goods and services through investment on small scale agribusine·ss- across the riatiori.-The encouragement of such enterprises will equally lead to a treniendous decrease· in unemployment rate by reducing the number of graduat~s that are roaming the streets of cities in Nigeria. Constraints associated with bakeries in the study area were identified to include insufficient capital outlay, spasmodic price of raw materials, illiteracy on the part of employees and language barrier. The study therefore suggest the fonnation of co-operative societies, registration of small scale business owners with supply companies to stem the fluctuation of the price of raw - materials, absorption of at least secondary school leavers coupled small __:_ scale business owners expand their production capacity at an affordable cost.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BROILER PRODUCTION AT MIANGO PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

This paper evaluate the economics of broiler production at Miango, Plateau State, Nigeria using a – 9 years record (1992 – 2000). During the period, 76 batches of broilers were reared to point of slaughter. The results shows that the enterprise incurred an average total variable cost of N620,6333.31 out of which feeding cost, day old chicks (stock) and mortality cost represents 58.13%, 19.13% and of 9.64% of the total cost of production, respectively. Total revenue within the period was estimated to be N763,969.44 which was mainly generated from the sales of broiler birds. The gross margin was found to be N143,334.13 with N0.23 as the returns per naira invested in the enterprise. Thus the broiler production is a profitable venture in the study area