Assessment of the level of farm labor availability and productivity in Imo state, Nigeria

No Abstract.International Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Systems Vol. 1 (3) 2007: pp. 270-27

Assessment of the impacts of deregulation on Nigeria's economic growth

This paper examines the effect of economic deregulation in Nigerian economy. The study identified the different forms and policy instruments used by Nigerian government for effective deregulation. It highlighted the potential gains of deregulation and suggested ways of improving the Nigerian economy through guided economic deregulation. Against this background, Nigeria's quest for accelerated growth and development requires coherent strategies that seek to minimize the risks of deregulation while maximizing its benefits. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2(1) 2006: 65-7

Issue in rural development timeline in Nigeria

No Abstract.International Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Systems Vol. 1 (3) 2007: pp. 280-28

Value chain analysis on cassava and cassava based - products in Imo state, Nigeria

This study examined the value Chain analysis (production process and cost related to each element of production chain to add value) on cassava and cassava products in Imo State specifically to ascertain the farm size holdings of the respondents as well as the ownerships of the land used for production. It also identified` the forms of labor used in production and how products are utilized. The study also estimated the value of cassava products in the area within the past year. It also examined how products are sold to the final consumers. The study was carried out on two local government areas of each of the three agricultural zones in the state. A total of 60 respondents were sampled 20 from each of the agricultural zones. It was found out that farm holdings are generally small and most of the land used for cassava production is family land. It was also found out that the value obtained from processing cassava into garri gave the highest value among other products. The government should assist farmers to have access to land in the state so as to enable them derive the possible value from cassava production processing and marketing in the state. The government should provide infrastructures to rural areas to enable the farmers take advantage of the emerging market oriented cassava production so as to improve their means of livelihood and to contribute to rural development. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 400-40

Comparative economic analysis of snail production system in Owerri agricultural zone, Imo State, Nigeria

No Abstract.Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 3 (4) 2007: pp. 287-29

Financing Agricultural Enterprises By Cooperative Societies In Mbaise Area Of Imo State, Nigeria

The study was on cooperative societies financing of agricultural enterprises in Mbaise Area of Imo State, Nigeria. The objectives includes, identification of sources of finance for the cooperative societies and types of agricultural enterprises financed, profitability of the enterprises and the members or loan beneficiaries performance in repayment of loans. Ten cooperative societies and eighty members of the societies were sampled and used as source of data. Questionnaire was administered to both the officers of the cooperatives and eighty members for the primary data. Percentages, means and profitability analysis was carried out on the data generated. The sources of fund for the societies include subscription for shares, savings by members, monthly dues, fines/penalties, grants from government and funds for on lending by the community banks in the study area. The cooperatives finance such activities as agricultural production, fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide supplies among others. The average amount disbursed during the study period was N128,306.66 at an interest rate of 10% per annum. A total of N11,290,986.30 was disbursed both interest and principal. The repayment performance was 94.62% with only 5.38% default. The poultry enterprise financed by the cooperative societies had a net return of N782,699.25 while the cassava based enterprise returned only N37,676.62. This means that cooperatives are engine of rural development but need to be adequately financed. Keywords: Cooperative Societies, Financing, Agricultural Enterprises Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 49-5

Poverty Alleviation Through Rural – Urban Linkages : Lessons And Implication For Development In Nigeria

One of the main aspects of rural poverty is the lack of access to basic infrastructure and services. Governments tend to develop infrastructure and provide services to the urban areas mostly because of economies of scale. Linking urban and rural areas is one of the core elements of urban and rural poverty alleviation. There are three related aspects of poverty, which include income poverty, access poverty and power poverty. The alleviation of income poverty can only be sustainable if the poor themselves initiate and sustain the income generating activity. The poor also need access to essential infrastructure and services. This paper posits that rural–urban linkages have implication for poverty alleviation. The linkage helps to strengthen the balance of political power between urban and rural areas and an improved capacity to seize economic opportunities in a globalizing economy. The empowerment of rural communities is of the process of decentralization, the redistribution of government function to lower levels of government, the move towards good governance and the growing emphasis on community participation in decision making Keywords: poverty alleviation, participation, empowermentGlobal Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 3 (2) 2007: pp. 84-9

An Overview of Benefits of Organic Agriculture as a Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy for Nigeria

Organic agriculture is a holistic production management which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It emphasis the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account conditions requiring locally adapted systems. Organic agriculture is not only a specific agricultural production system, it is also a systematic and encompassing approach to sustainable livelihoods in general, where due account is given to relevant factors of influence for sustainable development and vulnerability, be this on physical, economic or socio-cultural levels. Organic agriculture has a long tradition as a farming system and it has been adapted for many climatic zones and local conditions. Again, it is a recognized potential as a development strategy for rural communities. It reduces the vulnerability of the farmers to climate change and variability. Organic agriculture comprises highly diverse farming systems and this increases the diversity of income sources and the flexibility to cope with adverse effects of climate change and variability such as changed rainfall patterns. This lead to higher economic and ecological stability through optimized ecological balance and risk-spreading. Organic agriculture is an adaptation strategy that can be targeted at improving the livelihoods of rural populations and those parts of communities that are vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change and variability