Economics of Household Demand for African Breadfruit (Treculia Africana) in Owerri Agricultural Zone of IMO STATE, Nigeria

The need to build up the knowledge of the current situation regarding the household demand for African breadfruit (Treculia africana) in Owerri Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria led to this study. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the household demand for African breadfruit and to estimate price, income and cross-price elasticities of demand for African breadfruit. One hypothesis was tested. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting sixty (60) households who consume breadfruit who were interviewed with a well structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using frequency distribution, percentages and elasticity of demand model. The findings of the study showed that the household demand for breadfruit is very high (63%) in the study area. The mean quantity demanded per month was 7kg (40 cups). Majority of the respondents consume 70% of their harvest. The result of multiple regression analysis showed that increase in household demand and price of substitute will lead to an increase in quantity demanded of African breadfruit. It was recommended that more farmers need to get involved in the production of breadfruit as it is highly demanded for its food and non-food uses

Perceived Role of Agricultural Extension Services in Promoting Cooperative Entrepreneurship among Farmers in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, IMO State

Cooperative entrepreneurship avails participating entrepreneurs the opportunity to combine different skills and competencies to set up an enterprise. This study assessed the perceived roles of agricultural extension services in promoting cooperative entrepreneurship among farmers in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State. Data was collected from 120 respondents with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Results revealed that farmers in the study area were engaged in different entrepreneurial activities. They perceived the roles of agricultural extension services as effective in promoting cooperative entrepreneurship with the provision of vocational/skill training; sanitation activities; provision of storage/processing facilities; procurement of agricultural input and information on credit sources. The perceived constraints militating against extension service delivery to the respondents were inadequate finding; lack of technical support and poor infrastructure in communities. It was recommended that government and non-governmental organizations should provide adequate funding and technical support to extension personnel to enable them deliver agricultural extension services geared at promoting cooperative entrepreneurship to farmers

Effects of Livelihood Sustenance Activities on Off-Farm Income of Poultry Farmers in IMO State, Nigeria

The study analysed the off farm income and its effect on livelihood sustenance of poultry farmers in Imo state.Multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents. Data for the study were obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square bivariate regression model. Results showed that: the mean off-farm income of poultry farmers was N410223 per annum. Livelihood sustenance activities of poultry farmers positively and significantly affected their off-farm income. It is recommend that government should come up policies that will center on establishment of more livelihood sustenance activities for poultry farmers that will generate increased off-farm income and promote agricultural development simultaneously

Effects of Household Waste Generation, Disposal and Management on Farmers’ Health in Owerri Metropolis of IMO State, Nigeria

The study investigated the effects of household waste generation, disposal and management on farmers' health in Owerri metropolis. It specifically ascertained the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, identified the types and sources of waste in the study area, examined the waste disposal and management methods in the study area examined the effects of inappropriate waste disposal and ascertained the appropriate waste disposal methods used in the study area. A multi stage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and eight farmers from the three Local Government Area in Owerri metropolis. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics tool such as mean, frequency, percentage, and mean scores. Results show that waste is majorly generated from markets and residential homes. Waste disposal methods were mainly burning, landfills and open dumping. Its effects includes destroys the beauty of the environment, blocks gutters and drainage system, pollutes the environment among others. Subsequently, appropriate waste disposal methods in the study area includes burning of waste (29.17%), placing of bins at appropriate places (16.07%). The study recommends amongst others that waste management environmental agency should make waste dumps or receptacles accessible to residents, public campaigns should be embarked upon to educate the citizens on ills of dirty environment

Discriminant Analysis of Rural Households Unemployment status in Imo State, Nigeria Discriminant Analysis of Rural Households Unemployment status in Imo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study analyzed the household unemployment rate in Imo State. Data were collected with validated questionnaire from 540 proportionately and randomly sampled rural households in Imo state. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Discriminant function model. The household unemployment rate in Imo state was found to be 61.4% , therefore the households in Imo state are categorized as unemployed households. About 71% of the household members were frictionally unemployed. Determinants of household unemployment rate were found to be wage rate in non-paid employment, dependents, socioeconomic status, level of education, type of Occupation, health status, and frequency of use of information sources on jobs. The most significant discriminator of unemployed households is education

O; Henri-ukoha .A; Okereke -Ejiogu.n; Anyaoha N.O. Allocative Efficiency Among Maize Farmers In Imo State

Abstract: The study analyzed allocative efficiency among maize farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. It specifically sought to analyze the farmers' socioeconomic characteristics, estimate their price efficiency and its determinants. A multistage random sample of 120 maize farmers were used and interviewed with structured and validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency distribution and percentages. Stochastic translog cost and production frontier were used to estimate allocative efficiency and its determinants. Results showed that most of the farmers are active small holders and literate with many years of farming experience. Maize production was female dominated while household size was large. Maize farmers in Imo State are not operating at full price efficiency level, and this was influenced by age, farmsize, education, farming experience, extension contact, credit access, co-operative membership, household size and gender. The average maize farmer in Imo State would require a cost savings of 36.8% to attain the status of most price efficient farmer. More opportunities exist for improvement of allocative efficiency by the maize farmers

Analysis of Farmland Value Systems and Productivity of Cassava in Ecologically Vulnerable Areas of Imo State, Nigeria

This study analyzed farmland value systems and productivity of cassava in ecologically vulnerable areas of Imo State, Nigeria. The study estimated productivity of farmland systems and factors affecting them, and farmland suitability. Data were collected with questionnaire from 360 randomly selected cassava farmers and analyzed using descriptive statistics, suitability model, productivity model, and multiple regression techniques. Farmland suitability index ranges from 0.107 to 0.712 with a mean of 0.493. Majority (62.4%) of the cassava farmers cultivate on non-suitable farmlands, 33.7% of them cultivate on marginally suitable farmlands, while 3.9% of them cultivate on suitable farmlands. Productivity of farmland were 1.38, 2.00 and 3.16 for non-suitable, marginally suitable and suitable value systems respectively, indicating that marginally suitable and suitable farmlands were higher in productivity than non-suitable farmlands. Land rent, quantity of fertilizer, and household size have significant and negative effect on non-suitable farmland productivity. Farm size, land rent, fertilizer applied, education and extension have significant effect on marginally suitable farmlands productivity. Farm size, fertilizer, farming experience and household size significantly affect suitable farmland productivity. Farmers cultivating suitable farmlands should increase their cassava output and improve their farm income through allocation of more production resources to cassava production in an optimal manner

Intensity Of Agricultural Labour Use By Gender In Rural Households Of Imo State

This study was designed to analyze the intensity of agricultural labour use by gender and its determinants in rural households of Imo State. Data were collected with structured questionnaire from 60 male and 60 female headed households, and analysed using means, frequency distribution, percentages and ordinary least squares multiple regression model. The amount of labour use per hectare was estimated at about 186.5 mandays and 203. 7 mandays for male and female farmers respectively. Determinants of labour use intensity by gender were labour requirements for land preparation, labour required for planting, labour required for weeding, labour required for harvesting type of tools used, timing of farm operations, length of fallow period, difference in income between farm and non-farm products, state of infrastructure and labour according to type of crop mixture. There is need to develop labour saving technologies to achieve increased food crops outputs and farm income in Imo State. Keywords: intensity, agricultural labour, gender, rural households JOAFSS Vol. 4 (1) 2006: pp. 51-5

Potentials in Financing Heliculture under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme in Imo and Rivers\' States of Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis.

This study assessed the relative potentials in financing snail farming (Heliculture) under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme in Imo and Rivers' States of Nigeria. It derived from the need for measures to bridge the reported shortfall in protein supply and consumption from animal sources within the populace. It specifically sought to ascertain whether farmers face similar potentials and constraints in these two States, establish their performance and relative efficiency in resource use. Results showed that beneficiaries in the two States face similar potentials and constraints, although those in Rivers' State are more efficient in resource use. It was recommended, among others, that underutilized resources in both areas such as loan capital, labour and stock of snails should be increased by 99.7%, 14.42% and 17.01% respectively in Imo state while, in Rivers' State, they should be increased by 99.8%, 27.88% and23.45% respectively in order to attain allocative efficiency in resource use in each area. Floor space, which is being over-utilized in both states, should be reduced by 23.60% in Imo State and by 20.04% in Rivers' State in order to realize the full potentials in financing Heliculture in these areas. Keywords: Potentials; Financing Heliculture; Agricultural Credit; Guarantee Scheme; Imo State; Rivers' State; Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Development Vol. 9 2007: pp. 48-5

Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences Farm size and Technical Efficiency of Rice Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

This study analyzed the technical efficiency and the sources of inefficiency in large scale and small scale rice production in Imo State, Nigeria during the 2009 cropping season, using a stochastic frontier production function which incorporates a model for inefficiency effects. A sample of 160 farmers selected using the multi-stage stratified random sampling techniques were used to generate primary data with structured and validated questionnaire through the cost-route approach. Results showed that factors that affected the output of rice farmers were labour, capital, land and planting materials. Low capital base for investment, poor extension contact and poor access to credit were the major factors that influenced farmers' level of technical efficiency. The mean technical efficiency were 0.65 and 0.69 for large and small scale farmers respectively, which implies that the mean technical efficiency index could be increased by 35% and 31% for large scale and scale farmers respectively through efficient reallocation of the available resources