Economics of Quail Production in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

This study assesses the economics of quail production in Ilorin, Kwara state. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit information from 56 farmers that were selected with the use of a snow-ball sampling technique. Major tools of analysis for the study included descriptive statistic, gross margin analysis, Stochastic Production Frontier Model and 4 points Likert-type. The results of the findings revealed that both male and female are actively involved in the production i.e. 54.7% and 45.3% respectively with about 83% of the respondents in their active age range of 31-50 years and 66% have tertiary education. Also, results from the gross margin analysis show that an average farmer incurred a sum of ₦212,850 on variable costs with feed carrying the highest percentage (73%) and had an average net profit of ₦172,830. Feed, stock size, experience and farmer’s educational level are statistically significant to the production efficiency at different levels of probability as shown by the stochastic frontier result and farmers have a mean technical efficiency of 60.53%. The research therefore recommended that efforts should be made to reduce production cost through reduction in feed cost via establishment of more feed mills which are to be monitored by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to maintain standard.Â

Economics of Quail Production in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

This study assesses the economics of quail production in Ilorin, Kwara state. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit information from 56 farmers that were selected with the use of a snow-ball sampling technique. Major tools of analysis for the study included descriptive statistic, gross margin analysis, Stochastic Production Frontier Model and 4 points Likert-type. The results of the findings revealed that both male and female are actively involved in the production i.e. 54.7% and 45.3% respectively with about 83% of the respondents in their active age range of 31-50 years and 66% have tertiary education. Also, results from the gross margin analysis show that an average farmer incurred a sum of ₦212,850 on variable costs with feed carrying the highest percentage (73%) and had an average net profit of ₦172,830. Feed, stock size, experience and farmer’s educational level are statistically significant to the production efficiency at different levels of probability as shown by the stochastic frontier result and farmers have a mean technical efficiency of 60.53%. The research therefore recommended that efforts should be made to reduce production cost through reduction in feed cost via establishment of more feed mills which are to be monitored by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to maintain standard.Â

EFFICIENCY DIFFERENTIALS OF FOREIGN AND LOCAL FARMERS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The Nigerian agricultural sector is dominated by small scale farmers who by virtue of their low income have dwindling capacity to access and procure capital, labour and modern inputs. In theory, it is believed that foreign direct investment in agriculture is essential to ameliorate this problem of inadequate capital faced by the farmers and consequently raise agricultural productivity. However, debate relating to the veracity of this statement and the sustainability of the concept still rages on. This study therefore attempted to examine issues of productive efficiencies between foreign and domestic farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study was conducted in Shonga, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State. A two stage random sampling technique was used to obtain data from 50 domestic farmers and the enumeration of all the foreign commercial farmers from Zimbabwe in the study area. Major tools of analysis used for the study include: Descriptive Statistics and Data Envelopment analysis. Results of the study revealed a higher mean Technical Allocative and Economic Efficiencies for the New Nigerian farmers (Foreign Commercial Farmers) compared to that of the domestic farmers with a significant difference in the means of the overall Economic Efficiency between the two groups. It was therefore established in the study that foreign commercial farmers are more efficient than the domestic farmers. In line with the result of the study, it is recommended that the government should design policy strategies that would encourage private sector participation and technology transfer as well as ensure the use of modern farming techniques to increase efficiency of agricultural production in the country

An Assessment of the Determinants of Moringa Cultivation among Small-Scale Famers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The current rate of micronutrient malnutrition which afflicts over two billion people worldwide calls for a paradigm shift to approaches aimed at linking agricultural production to improved human health, and livelihood. Recent findings indicate the potentials of Moringa tree value-chain development in achieving a sustainable agriculture-agriculture not only aimed at economic prosperity, but equally at nutritional security of small-scale farming households. However, an understanding of factors that influence the cultivation of this crop is important. This study examined the determinants of cultivation of Moringa crop by small-scale farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. It also highlighted the level of awareness of the benefits of the crop among respondents. The study utilized questionnaire to collect data from 150 arable crop farmers through a 3-stage sampling technique. Binary logistic regression model was used in analyzing the data. Results indicate that 47% of the respondents are aware of the nutritional benefits of the crop and 37.3% grow Moringa on their farms. Furthermore, awareness of crop benefits (p=0.021), farming experience (p=0.063), membership of cooperative society (p=0.07) and the growing of other permanent crops (p=0.001); are the significant factors affecting the cultivation of Moringa crop in the study area. The study recommends the promotion of adequate enlightenment as regards the benefits of Moringa. It also encouraged the utilization of cooperative societies in enhancing value-addition to the Moringa crop. Keywords: sustainable agriculture, micronutrient malnutrition, cultivation, Moring

Hypothermia in preterm infants admitted to low-resource neonatal units in northern Nigeria: an observational study of occurrence and risk factors

Background: Hypothermia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among preterm and low-birth-weight neonates. In resource-constrained settings, limited referral infrastructure and technologies for temperature control potentiate preterm hypothermia. While there is some documentation on point-of-admission hypothermia from single center studies, there are limited multicenter studies on the occurrence of hypothermia among preterm infants in resource-limited-settings. Therefore, we conducted a multicenter study to determine the prevalence and risk factors for hypothermia at the time of admission and during the first 72 h after admission in northern Nigeria. Method: We carried out a prospective cohort study on preterm infants admitted to four referral hospitals in northern Nigerian between August 2020 and July 2021. We documented temperature measurements at admission and the lowest and highest temperatures in the first 72 h after admission. We also collected individual baby-level data on sociodemographic and perinatal history data. We used the World Health Organization classification of hypothermia to classify the babies’ temperatures into mild, moderate, and severe hypothermia. Poisson regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for moderate-severe hypothermia. Results: Of the 933 preterm infants enrolled, 682 (72.9%) had hypothermia at admission although the prevalence of hypothermia varied across the four hospitals. During the first 24 h after admission, 7 out of every 10 babies developed hypothermia. By 72 h after admission, between 10 and 40% of preterm infants across the 4 hospitals had at least one episode of moderate hypothermia. Gestational age (OR = 0.86; CI = 0.82–0.91), birth weight (OR = 8.11; CI = 2.87–22.91), presence of a skilled birth attendant at delivery (OR = 0.53; CI = 0.29–0.95), place of delivery (OR = 1.94 CI = 1.13–3.33) and resuscitation at birth (OR = 1.79; CI = 1.27–2.53) were significant risk factors associated with hypothermia. Conclusion: The prevalence of admission hypothermia in preterm infants is high and hypothermia is associated with low-birth-weight, place of delivery and presence of skilled birth attendant. The prevalence of hypothermia while in care is also high and this has important implications for patient safety and quality of patient care. Referral services for preterm infants need to be developed while hospitals need to be better equipped to maintain the temperatures of admitted small and sick newborns

Assessment of Land Management Practices in Food Crops Production among Small Scale Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study carried out an assessment of agricultural land management practices in food crops production among small scale farmers in Kwara Sate, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the socio economic characteristics of crop farmers in Kwara State; ascertained the cropping patterns common among them; highlighted the soil conservation methods adopted by the farmers; examined the relationship between selected socio-economic characteristics of the farmers and their adoption of major agricultural land management practices; and investigated the constraints to adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among crop farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria A three stage random sampling technique was used in selecting a total of one hundred and forty four small scale food crops farmers. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression model and four point Likert-type scale were used to analyse the data for the study. The study revealed that food crops production in Kwara State is dominated by middle aged men who are poorly educated and have poor access to agricultural extension services. Half of the respondents (48.60%) adopted cereal-based cropping systems. 48.6% of the farmers adopted a minimum of three management practices. Crop rotation was mostly adopted by all the farmers while irrigation was the least adopted by only 29.3% of the respondents. Furthermore, the study revealed that farm size, age, education status, number of contacts with extension agents, household size and number of farm plots of the respondents were the significant factors affecting their adoption of land management practices. The study also revealed that the major constraints to the use of sustainable crop management practices among the farmers included inadequate supply of fertilizer, inadequacy of labour and credit, poor knowledge of improved agricultural practices, poor transportation, low produce prices and high cost of production. The study recommended the need for training programme on the use of appropriate sustainable practices that will take into account the cropping systems adopted by the farmers

Assessment of Land Management Practices in Food Crops Production among Small Scale Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development (IJAMAD)

T he study carried out an assessment of agricultural land management practices in food crops production among small scale farmers in Kwara Sate, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the socio economic characteristics of crop farmers in Kwara State; ascertained the cropping patterns common among them; highlighted the soil conservation methods adopted by the farmers; examined the relationship between selected socio-economic characteristics of the farmers and their adoption of major agricultural land management practices; and investigated the constraints to adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among crop farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria A three stage random sampling technique was used in selecting a total of one hundred and forty four small scale food crops farmers. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression model and four point Likert-type scale were used to analyse the data for the study. The study revealed that food crops production in Kwara State is dominated by middle aged men who are poorly educated and have poor access to agricultural extension services. Half of the respondents (48.60%) adopted cereal-based cropping systems. 48.6% of the farmers adopted a minimum of three management practices. Crop rotation was mostly adopted by all the farmers while irrigation was the least adopted by only 29.3% of the respondents. Furthermore, the study revealed that farm size, age, education status, number of contacts with extension agents, household size and number of farm plots of the respondents were the significant factors affecting their adoption of land management practices. The study also revealed that the major constraints to the use of sustainable crop management practices among the farmers included inadequate supply of fertilizer, inadequacy of labour and credit, poor knowledge of improved agricultural practices, poor transportation, low produce prices and high cost of production. The study recommended the need for training programme on the use of appropriate sustainable practices that will take into account the cropping systems adopted by the farmers

Assessment of Land Management Practices in Food Crops Production among Small Scale Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study carried out an assessment of agricultural land management practices in food crops production among small scale farmers in Kwara Sate, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the socio economic characteristics of crop farmers in Kwara State; ascertained the cropping patterns common among them; highlighted the soil conservation methods adopted by the farmers; examined the relationship between selected socio-economic characteristics of the farmers and their adoption of major agricultural land management practices; and investigated the constraints to adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among crop farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria A three stage random sampling technique was used in selecting a total of one hundred and forty four small scale food crops farmers. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression model and four point Likert-type scale were used to analyse the data for the study. The study revealed that food crops production in Kwara State is dominated by middle aged men who are poorly educated and have poor access to agricultural extension services. Half of the respondents (48.60%) adopted cereal-based cropping systems. 48.6% of the farmers adopted a minimum of three management practices. Crop rotation was mostly adopted by all the farmers while irrigation was the least adopted by only 29.3% of the respondents. Furthermore, the study revealed that farm size, age, education status, number of contacts with extension agents, household size and number of farm plots of the respondents were the significant factors affecting their adoption of land management practices. The study also revealed that the major constraints to the use of sustainable crop management practices among the farmers included inadequate supply of fertilizer, inadequacy of labour and credit, poor knowledge of improved agricultural practices, poor transportation, low produce prices and high cost of production. The study recommended the need for training programme on the use of appropriate sustainable practices that will take into account the cropping systems adopted by the farmers

Rurality Forcing the Lights On: Is This Worth It?

Energy shortage is a major concern in Nigeria. Albeit its abundance, fossil fuel is no viable solution considering varied pollution. Renewable energy technology like solar-powered-hubfor-homes is gaining prominence. The technology positions to address energy deficit in rural households but first, household decision makers’ question of whether such investment is worth its cost demands answers. We assessed impact of this technology on wellbeing of adopting rural farming households in Nigeria and explored the drivers of its diffusion. Designing a Quasi-experiment, we randomly assigned 73 subscribers into treatment group and 219 nonelectrified households into control group. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, PSM, and probit regression. We found adoption increased wellbeing of adopters over nonadopters(p<0.05) confirming our hypothesis that access to stand-alone solar-powered energy by off-grid rural households can potentially improve adopter’s personal wellbeing. We found that household and remittance incomes, within-household school-aged children, payment flexibility, subsidy scheme, peer effect and pursuit of life’s ease increased the probability of the technology adoption whereas increase in age, proximity to town and fossil fuel access negatively influenced its adoption (p<0.05). We recommended government subsidy on the technology. Diffusion may be aided by peer effect hence the recommendation to influence key individuals to adopt

BETWEEN FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) AND OUTSOURCING: WHICH POLICY STRATEGY WILL ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE NIGERIAN RICE SECTOR?

The dawn of the global economy which ushered in trade liberalization has been greeted with mixed feelings among developing countries. This is because liberalization rarely brings about a zero-sum welfare gain among asymmetric participating countries. However, one critical aspect of globalization that can benefit developing countries is the encouragement of foreign sourcing. Outsourcing and foreign direct investment (FDI) will bring about strategic linkages with local buyers, suppliers and other institutions. Against this background, this study makes a case for foreign sourcing in the rice sector vis-à-vis the absorptive capacity of the sector over a projected 10-year (2013-2023) period in Nigeria. It subsequently modelled the welfare implication of FDI and outsourcing on the host nation.This study emphasized the need for increased investment that will enhance technological spillovers to the local producers. The model suggests that at a low level of human capital and high absorptive capacity, it benefits the country to first encourage FDI and subsequently encourage more of outsourcing as it is a better welfare enhancing strategy.The study concludes by recommending the setting up of attractive investment environments and the formulation of sound domestic and macroeconomic policy that would make the country more attractive for investors