Socio-Economic Impacts of Climate Change in Africa

This paper examined the arguments for and against the climate change phenomenon and attempted to weigh in with presentation of available evidence. It finally drew from literature and reviewed possible impacts of climate change in Africa. It concluded by calling for a wakening and preparedness by African governments for possible catastrophic events rather than waiting for external aid

Counter Urbanization and Agricultural Input Productivity in Imo State of Nigeria

This study analyzed the productivity of agricultural inputs in the context of counterurbanization, a consequence of Nigeria’s fiscal policy reform, in Okigwe Local Government Area (L.G.A) of Imo State, Nigeria. Sixty counter-urbanities who settled for farming were randomly selected from four autonomous communities in the L. G. A for the study. Sources of primary data were structured questionnaires, market survey, interviewsand observation of farm activities Descriptive statistics, multiple regression and gross margin analyses were tools employed in data analysis.Results show that counter-urbanization has accelerated agricultural intensification and cultivation of marginal lands. Population density is significant and inversely related to output, while farm size, fertilizer application and fallow length were directly related to output. Labour and cropping density have not significantly affected output. Themarginal values of the variable inputs were measures of their efficiency usage. The average farm size, and output per hectare are less than those of non-migrants recordedsix years ago. Major sources of farmland were leasing and borrowing as opposed to inheritance. The study recommended among others provision of credit facilities for nonfarmsectors to reduce the number of return migrants engaged in farming

Evaluation Of Farming Systems And Informal Insurance Measures For Optimum Income Of Rural Farmers In The Rain Forest Zone Of Nigeria

Maintaining an increasing flow of income to rural farmers is a challenge to success of poverty alleviation programmes in developing economies, due to risks and uncertainties that characterize agricultural activities. The study thus, evaluated farming systems and other informal insurance measures used by farmers for optimum farm income in rain forest zone of Nigeria. Fifty farmers were randomly selected from Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Data collected through structured questionnaires and interview schedules were analysed using net farm income analysis, Pearson correlation, and two way ANOVA techniques. Results showed a positive correlation between number of sources of risks and uncertainties perceived by farmers and strategies employed to prevent their effects. The two way ANOVA showed that farmers who cultivated plantation crops, food crops, reared poultry and small ruminants have more income than those who do not. It also showed that adoption of risk management techniques, marketing strategies, souring of microcredit and improving information sources simultaneously, ensured higher income. Recommendations include encouraging farmers to adopt the most profitable farming systems and informal insurance measures as well as provision of more micro-finance facilities to rural people. Keywords: Agriculture; Risks and Uncertainties; Informal Insurance; Income. NigeriaJournal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Vol. 5 (1) 2007: pp. 53-6

Economics of Marketing Benniseed In Nasarawa State, Nigeria

The performance of the marketing system of benniseed in Nasarawa State was determined by using marketing margin models, Analysis of Variance and Duncan multiple range test. Primary data used for analysis were generated through random sampling of 90 farmers and 270 regular middlemen. The results showed that the mean marketing margin was 18.2%, marketing costs 12.8%, net profit 8.3% and farmer’s share 78.9% of the retail price. These values indicated efficient and competitive trends under the prevailing circumstances. ANOVA results showed that marketing margins at the three main market centers were significant at 0.05 level of probability while the multiple range tests showed that marketing margin was highest in Doma Nassarawa central markets.Keywords: Economics; Benniseed; Marketing Margins; Nigeria

Rearing Methods, Seasons of the Year and Survivability of Rural Poultry Enterprise in Nigeria

The study was carried out to investigate the performance of rural poultry enterprise in Nigeria with respect to survivability and mortality rates during the various seasons of the year under three rearing systems. The two major seasons of the year (Rainy and Dry seasons) were considered in phases namely early rainy, late rainy, early dry, and late dry seasons, while the rearing conditions were intensive, semi-intensive and extensive (free-range) systems. In each of the phases of the seasons, farmers were visited and questionnaires used to extract responses from the various categories of farmers in the area regarding the management conditions adopted and the performance of their poultry under the different rearing conditions, notably the prevalent causes of mortality, the time they occur most, and number that died/survived in each season. A total of two hundred and twenty (220) rural poultry farmers in the State were selected for the study. The results showed that 120 (54.5%), 80 (36.4%) and 20 (9.1%) rural poultry farmers practiced extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive systems respectively. It was observed that rearing system play a highly significant (P < 0.01) role on the mortality and survivability of birds in the rural poultry enterprise. Mortality of birds is very high (53.6%) under the free-range system of poultry management, followed by the semi-intensive system (39.05%) and lowest in the intensive system (7.36%). A higher rate of mortality of birds in the free-range rural poultry system was witnessed during the late rainy (58% of birds reared) and late dry seasons (59% of bird reared). Survivability was very high under the intensive system of poultry management in all seasons while survival rate in the early rainy and early dry seasons of the year was higher in the semi-intensive than free-range system. It was deduced that season of the year and management systems adopted in rural poultry production influenced the mortality rate and number of birds surviving

INCOME AND ENERGY SOURCES AMONG AGRARIAN HOUSEHOLDS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR LOW CARBON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

Low-carbon power comes from sources that produce fewer greenhouse gases than do traditional means of power generation. It includes zero carbon power generation sources, such as wind power, solar power, geothermal power and (except for fuel preparation) nuclear power, as well as sources with lower-level emissions such as natural and petroleum gas, and also technologies that prevent carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere, such as carbon capture and storage. This article correlated value of income from different sources to energy sources used by agrarian households in Nigeria and drew implications for low carbon development in Africa. It analysis included use of wind power for irrigation purposes, harnessing solar energy for lightening and possible cost implications. Secondary data were collected from Community Based Monitoring System Nigeria Project. Descriptive statistics, correlation and qualitative analysis were employed. The average annual income of agrarian households from different sources such as crop farming, livestock farming, petty trading, forest exploitation, remittance and labour per day was below the poverty line of $1 per day. The source of energy that had the highest number of significant correlation was electrical energy (low carbon electrical energy). It showed the possibility of pooling resources as farmers group to attract grants or equity financing to build wind mills for irrigation. The study recommended use of energy efficient bulbs to reduce CO2 emissions. This requires creating awareness among rural dwellers of the need to make such change

Community Empowerment via Economic and Technical Assistance with Hybrid Plantain/Banana Enterprise Expansion Programme in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study examined implementation strategies, approaches, constraints and revenue generation potentials of hybrid plantain/banana enterprise expansion progamme in Rivers State – a community werment programme funded by USAID in Southern Nigeria. Forty contact farmers directly involved in the project were selected. Primary and secondary data were used. Data analyses involved qualitative techniques, descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Simirov test and gross margin analysis. Results showed that implementation strategies and approaches were tailored towards overcoming constraints to the success of the project. Forty-five and thirty two percent gains in income were made by processing hybrid plantain fruits into flour and chips instead of local cultivars. Farmers preferred workshops and services of extension agents to other channels of communication with respect to transfer of innovations. It was recommended among other things that community development programmes should work in line with established and prevalent cultural patterns to avoid lack of interest or poor acceptance and minimal support for the project.Key words: Community empowerment; Hybrid Plantain/Bananas; Small-Scale Enterprise; Nigeria