Estimation of farm level technical efficiency and its determinants among male and female sweet potato farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

With the difficulties encountered by the farmers in adopting improved technologies, increasing resource use efficiency has become a very significant factor in increasing productivity. Therefore, this study was designed to estimate the farm level technical efficiency and its determinants among male and female sweet potato farmers. Primary data collected from a random sample of 120 sweet potato farmers (64 females and 56 males) were subjected to production function analysis. The result showed that fertilizer and farm size positively affected output for both farmer groups. Labour and capital positively affected output for the females while quantity of sweet potato vine affected the output of the male farmers positively. The mean technical efficiency for the female farmers was higher (92%) than that of their male (85%) counterparts. Farming experience and access to credit were positive and significantly related to technical efficiency for both farmer groups, while no significant relationship was found between technical efficiency and level of education, co‐operative membership and age for both farmer groups. Therefore, policies for improving farmers’ access to credit, land and extension contact would enhance efficiency and productivity.Keywords: male and female farmers, sweet potato, technical efficiencyEthiopian Journal of Economics vol 20 (1) 201

Seed Germination, Foliar Vestiture and Stem Anatomical Features of Urena lobata L. (Malvaceae): An Ethnobotanical and/or Ethnomedicinal Plant Genetic Resource in Nigeria

The seed germination enhancement, foliar vestiture studies and stem anatomical features of Urena lobata L. were investigated against the backdrop of its ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal applications. Results show that the plant branches profusely thus yielding much of the vegetative parts used for various purposes. Germination of the seeds was enhanced by mechanical scarification and sulphuric acid treatments and the acid treatment elicited greater effects than the mechanical scarification. Leaf morphology especially the type and depth of lobes varied within the species while stellate and sharply pointed trichomes were observed on the abaxial and adaxial foliar surfaces. The possible roles of the glandular trichomes as secretory receptors of the active ingredients that impart medicinal efficacy to the plant were highlighted. Anatomical investigations of the stem showed that while the petiole is glabrous, the stem was covered with sharply pointed trichomes

Differentials in Performance among Ginger Marketers in South-East, Nigeria

The study analysed the performance of ginger marketers in South-East, Nigeria, using a multi-stage sampling procedure in the selection of hundred sixty eight (168) respondents for the study. A well-structured questionnaire was used in collecting data from the respondents and the data collected analyzed using simple statistical tools like frequency tables, percentages and cost and return analysis. The result revealed that majority (62%) of the ginger marketers were females, mean age of about 44 years and 62.50% married. Majority had little or no contact with extension (1.36), had large households (6persons) and non-members of cooperative society (56.48%). The results of the performance indicators shows the net return as N24,089.66 per week. This suggests that the business was profitable and capable of continuing in both the short and long run. However, higher margin implies a higher profit. It is therefore recommended for policies that will encourage new entrants into the business since is profitable and those already in it to scale up. Awareness campaigns should made to popularize the crop and it benefits, this is expected to increase their livelihoods

Measuring the Degree of Market Power in the Export Demand for Nigerian Cocoa: An Analysis of Dutch Market

The study examined the degree of market power in the export demand for Nigerian Cocoa with focus on the Dutch Market. The study covered the periods of 1961–2007 and data comprised published national aggregates on specific trade and macroeconomic variables from reputable sources. Two Stage Least Squares (2 SLS) approach was used in the estimation after instrumenting for simultaneity and establishing stationarity alongside cointegration relationship. Findings, on the demand side, showed that the demand for cocoa increases as income of Netherlands (importing country) increases. Total production of the non– participating countries traced out a positive relationship with demand for cocoa by the importing country while the coefficient of price of Coffee (substitute crop) possessed a negative sign. On the supply relation side, the demand for the export crop has a negative sign, indicating decreasing marginal output with respect to cost while the proxy for ocean freight rate with its negative sign, imply increasing export cost. The result further showed that there is relative competitiveness in the Dutch market on the strength of a market power coefficient -0.712 with a Lerner index of 0.122. Based on the findings, the study calls for government intervention in the agricultural export subsector with the aim to revitalize the country’s agricultural export capacity and enhance her market power via increased market shares. These interventions could be in the form of input/production subsidies, targeted export promotion programs, farm settlement, expanded export processing zones to mention but a few

Investigating asthma comorbidities: a systematic scoping review protocol

Chief Scientist’s Office of the Scottish Government and Asthma UK as part of the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research (AUK-AC-2012–01). BN is supported by the Farr Institute and Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research

Measuring the Degree of Market Power in the Export Demand for Nigerian Cocoa: An Analysis of Dutch Market

The study examined the degree of market power in the export demand for Nigerian Cocoa with focus on the Dutch Market. The study covered the periods of 1961–2007 and data comprised published national aggregates on specific trade and macroeconomic variables from reputable sources. Two Stage Least Squares (2 SLS) approach was used in the estimation after instrumenting for simultaneity and establishing stationarity alongside cointegration relationship. Findings, on the demand side, showed that the demand for cocoa increases as income of Netherlands (importing country) increases. Total production of the non–participating countries traced out a positive relationship with demand for cocoa by the importing country while the coefficient of price of Coffee (substitute crop) possessed a negative sign. On the supply relation side, the demand for the export crop has a negative sign, indicating decreasing marginal output with respect to cost while the proxy for ocean freight rate with its negative sign, imply increasing export cost. The result further showed that there is relative competitiveness in the Dutch market on the strength of a market power coefficient -0.712 with a Lerner index of 0.122. Based on the findings, the study calls for government intervention in the agricultural export subsector with the aim to revitalize the country’s agricultural export capacity and enhance her market power via increased market shares. These interventions could be in the form of input/production subsidies, targeted export promotion programs, farm settlement, expanded export processing zones to mention but a few.Peer reviewe

Socioeconomic determinants of profit in wholesale and retail banana marketing

ABSTRACT The perishable nature of most agricultural produce and the concomitant need for effective marketing outlets have been obvious economic problems, especially in developing countries, like Nigeria. This study attempted to examine the determinants of profit in banana marketing in the Umuahia Agricultural Zone of Abia State of Nigeria. Cross-sectional data, collected from a random sample of 60 banana marketers consisting of 30 retailers and 30 wholesalers, were analyzed using the multiple regression technique of the ordinary least squares. Results showed that for the retailers, the quantity of bananas handled and the selling price per unit of bananas were directly related to the profit, while age of the marketer and the purchase price per unit were inversely related to it. Policy efforts to help in eliminating the constraints to banana marketing were recommended. Such policies should enable the marketers to acquire more education through adult education, seminars, workshops, etc. and should be targeted more at the younger marketers. They should enable them to increase their scale of banana marketing operations

Evaluation of risk caused by intake of trace metal through consumption of Pleurotus tuber-regium collected around automobile village in Abia State

ABSTRACT. The bioaccumulation of trace metals in mushrooms poses a health risk to consumers. Despite the fact that mushroom eating has been linked to numerous health advantages, little attention has been paid to the relative health risks associated with trace metal build-up in this nutritional source in Nigeria. Pb, Cd, Fe, Hg and As in Pleurotus tuber-regium collected from mechanic workshops in Umuahia were analysed and the associated health risks for the consumers were evaluated. The trace metal contents in the mushroom and its substrates showed a descending order of Fe > Pb > Cd > As > Hg. The heavy metals concentration ranges in fruity body of the Pleurotus tuber-regium were Fe (62.16-98.17 mg kg-1), Pb (0.18-1.21 mg kg-1), Cd (0.05-0.34 mg kg-1), As (0.25-0.51 mg kg-1) and Hg (0.009-0.021 mg kg-1). The estimation of weekly intake values was lower than PTWIs of mushroom species except for Fe. According to the THQ and the HI calculations for trace metal contents in the mushrooms, mercury did not pose any risk on human health; whereas the other determined trace metals gave THQ values of 1 < THQ < 10 and showed the possibility of long-term risk.                     KEY WORDS: Trace metals. Mushroom, Estimated weekly intake, Target hazard quotient, Bioaccumulation   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(2), 229-241. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i2.