Double hurdle modelling approach to local rice consumption in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

This study analysed the preference and expenditure decision on local rice of rural households in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. A two-stage systematic sampling technique was used in selecting 150 respondents for the study. The households were stratified based on the income levels. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (such as percentages and means) and the double hurdle modeling approach. The result of the descriptive statistics showed that majority (64%) of the respondents were female, 76% were married, 94.67% were below the age of 55 years with a mean age of 41.09 years. Majority (40%) had secondary education among the household heads with a mean years spent in school of 10.56 years while majority (40%) among the spouse had primary education with a mean years spent in school of 8.69 years. The mean household size was about 6 persons. The result of the income distribution of the households showed that majority (52%) of the respondents earn between ₦ 20,000-40,000 per month while the result of the preference for rice showed that 56% prefer foreign rice to local rice. The result of the double hurdle model showed that marital status, age of the household head, education of the household head, household size, price of rice, and the quality of rice significantly influenced the preference decision of the household while marital status, age, household size, monthly income, and quality of rice significantly influenced the expenditure decision of the household in the study area. The major reasons for rice preference by the respondents were absence of foreign matter (impurities such as stones), shape of grain, stickiness after cooking, rate of breakage and cleanliness of the rice. The study recommended that modern processing techniques, which improve on locally produced rice will enable it compete favourable with imported ones; thereby increasing consumption of local rice consumption in the country.Keywords: double hurdle, local rice, consumptio

Effect of Second National Fadama Development Project on Farmers Productivity in Imo State, Nigeria

A work was carried out on the Effect of Second National Fadama Development Project on farmers productivity in Imo State, Nigeria.  Specifically it examined socio-economic characteristics of farmers (Fadama users and non fadama users); identify the infrastructures provided by the Fadama Project; and determined productivity difference between Fadama users and non Fadama users in Imo State. A total of two hundred and thirty five (235) respondents were sampled, which comprised one hundred and fifteen (115) Fadama users and one hundred and twenty non Fadama users. They were randomly selected from six local government areas out of the eleven LGAs that participated in the Second National Fadama Development Project in Imo State. Data were collected using two sets of questionnaire administered to Fadama users and non Fadama users respectively. Frequency, percentage, and z-test analysis were used to analyze the data collected. The result showed that there is significant difference at 1% between productivity of Fadama users and non Fadama users in the study area. It further revealed a productivity difference of 6.333913.  This implied that the Second National Fadama Development Project has greatly increased the productivity of the farmers who participated in the project. There is positive correlation between the output of Fadama users and that of non Fadama users. It was also found out that borehole, bridge, VIP Latrine, cooling shed, cold room and cassava processing machine were provided to some communities that participated in the Fadama Project. In conclusion, Fadama Users productivity has been increased more than the non Fadama Users in Imo State, Nigeria. I recommend that more farmers should be encouraged to participate in the on-going National Fadama Development Project in Nigeria. Keywords: Farmers, Fadama Users, Non-Fadama Users and National Fadama Development Project

Econometric Assessment of the Trend in Cocoyam Production in Nigeria, 1960/61-2003/2006

Stakeholders in agricultural development in Nigeria are currently confronted with the onerous task of feeding over hundred million people in the nation. The paper attempts to examine the trends in the production, area and productivity of cocoyam in Nigeria from 1960/61 to 2003/06 in two periods and highlights the relative contributions of area and productivity to the observed growth. Results reveal that output, area and productivity of cocoyam exhibited negative trends in Period I, (Pre-SAP, 1960/61-1984/85) whereas output and area of cocoyam showed positive trend in Period II (Post-SAP, 1985/86-2003/06). Increases in cocoyam production were due principally to the expansion of area under cultivation. Measures aimed at improving the yield and efficiency of resource utilization will enhance the prospect of cocoyam.Econometric Trend, Cocoyam

Perception and Adaptation to Climate Change among Artisanal Fishermen in Fishing Communities along Anambra River Nigeria

Climate change is threatening the attainment of self-sufficiency in fish production in Nigeria. As a result, artisanal fishermen are developing adaptation practices that will reduce their vulnerability to climate change. The study therefore investigated perceptions and adaptation behavior of climate change among Artisanal Fishermen in Fishing Communities along Anambra River in South East Nigeria. The study adopted multistage sampling technique to select 240 Artisanal Fishermen. The results showed that the mean age of Artisanal Fishermen was 50 years and household size of 4 persons, with 52.5% married. On average, the Artisanal Fishermen have spent about 15 years. Majority (85%) of the respondents have formal education.  Also, majority of the Artisanal Fishermen had access to credit for male (67.5%). Furthermore the result revealed that Artisanal Fishermen ()  were aware of the occurrence of climate change and the most widely used adaptation practice of the Artisanal Fishermen were changing of Diversification of livelihoods (), Information dissemination (), Improved housing (), Financial Support () and Community representative in disaster management (). Ordinary least Square regression result factors influencing adaptation behavior of climate change among artisanal fishermen in fishing communities along Anambra river Nigeria with an R2  value of 88.3% shows that marital status (5%), member of cooperative society (10%) and extension services (1%) were positively related to number of mitigation strategies used by artisanal fishermen in fishing communities, while household size (1%) was significant and negative. The study therefore, recommends that extension workers should be continuously trained and educated on current information about climate change to enable them enlighten and disseminate to fish farmers. This will enable update and synchronization of ideas with the Artisanal Fishermen

Econometric Assessment of the Trend in Cocoyam Production in Nigeria, 1960/61-2003/2006

Stakeholders in agricultural development in Nigeria are currently confronted with the onerous task of feeding over hundred million people in the nation. The paper attempts to examine the trends in the production, area and productivity of cocoyam in Nigeria from 1960/61 to 2003/06 in two periods and highlights the relative contributions of area and productivity to the observed growth. Results reveal that output, area and productivity of cocoyam exhibited negative trends in Period I, (Pre-SAP, 1960/61-1984/85) whereas output and area of cocoyam showed positive trend in Period II (Post-SAP, 1985/86-2003/06). Increases in cocoyam production were due principally to the expansion of area under cultivation. Measures aimed at improving the yield and efficiency of resource utilization will enhance the prospect of cocoyam

Econometric Assessment of the Trend in Cocoyam Production in Nigeria, 1960/61-2003/2006

Stakeholders in agricultural development in Nigeria are currently confronted with the onerous task of feeding over hundred million people in the nation. The paper attempts to examine the trends in the production, area and productivity of cocoyam in Nigeria from 1960/61 to 2003/06 in two periods and highlights the relative contributions of area and productivity to the observed growth. Results reveal that output, area and productivity of cocoyam exhibited negative trends in Period I, (Pre-SAP, 1960/61-1984/85) whereas output and area of cocoyam showed positive trend in Period II (Post-SAP, 1985/86-2003/06). Increases in cocoyam production were due principally to the expansion of area under cultivation. Measures aimed at improving the yield and efficiency of resource utilization will enhance the prospect of cocoyam