Analysis of differences in rural-urban households food expenditure share in Kwara and Kogi States of Nigeria

This study focused on analyzing the differential in households’ food expenditure between urban and rural households in North-central, Nigeria. Data used in the study were obtained through the use of a well structuredquestionnaire administered to 396 household heads, randomly selected from Kogi and Kwara states based on the proportional distribution of their population. The analytical tools employed were descriptive statistics such as percentages, means and charts. The pooled results from the two states revealed that households in the rural areas spend as high as 66.04% of their expenditure on food compared to 69.37% in the urban. Also observed was that, Kwara households spend more on food (74.39% in rural and 75% in urban) than their Kogi counterpart (57.41% in rural and 60.49% in urban). The female-headed households spend more (68.17%) on food than the male headed (68.01) ones. The results also show that expenditure on food increased with number of household members but decreased with household per capita income in line with Engel law. Household expenditure on staple food items was the highest in both rural and urban areas of Kogi and Kwara, followed by meats and other animal products. The proportion was found not to have decreased even with increase in household income contrary to the Bennett’s law. The percentage per capita expenditure of other important food items like fruits and vegetables was found to be very low compared to the staples and meat group. This has serious health implications on households in the study areas for an active and healthy life. Expenditure share on fruits and vegetables should therefore be increased. There is need for household size reduction through birth control and rate of dependency by other distant relationships besides providing food subsidy by the government to households

Technical efficiency of upland and lowland rice production

The paper examined the efficiency of upland and lowland rice production systems in a prominent rice producing State (Niger State) in Nigeria using descriptive statistics, stochastic production frontier model as well as inefficiency model. The data used were generated from a farm survey involving 240 rice farmers' randomly selected using multistage sampling technique. Results of analysis indicate that upland rice farmers were significantly more technically efficient (81.2%) than lowland rice farmers (76.4%) at P ≤ 0.01. Also, farmers stand the chance of improving their efficiency by 18.8% and 23.6% in upland and lowland production systems respectively and the inefficiency model indicated that this can be achieved when rice farmers plant improved varieties regardless of the production systems. In addition, sex was a significant determinant of efficiency under upland production while experience plays a significant role under lowland production (P ≤ 0.05). Keywords: Stochastic production frontier; efficiency; rice production; NigeriaMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp.93-9

Consumption pattern of sheep and goat meaat in Ibadan Metropolis: Implication for food and nutrition policies

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Household food demand analysis in Adamawa state, Nigeria

No Abstract.Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 5 (2) 2006: pp. 109-11

Profitability of beef cattle fattening in the cosmopolitan city of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The study was conducted in Ibadan metropolis to determine the profitability of beef cattle fattening. Data were collected from 50 randomly selected cattle fattening operators and were analyzed using descriptive and budgetary analyses. Results showed that 84 percent of the operators\' sourced capital from personal savings, relatives and friends. The structure of the herd kept typifies more of beef to dairy herds while the average herd size was 26 animals (LU). The cost figures indicate that feed and labour made up 46 and 37 percent of the variable cost respectively, while 84 percent of the total cost was the fixed cost. Cost-benefit analysis revealed a gross margin of N568, 689, and cost-benefit ratio of 1:1.3. Net income was estimated as N142, 735 and N 5, 554 per farm and head of animal respectively. However, the heavy dependence on credit from informal sources could limit the potential for expansion of the enterprise and this could be addressed by adequate funding from formal sources like cooperative societies and community banks. Keywords: Beef cattle fattening; Ibadan metropoli; Cost-benefitMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 45-5

Role of women in livestock production: A socio-economic analysis of women,animal husbandry in Sokoto state

The study focused on the role of women in livestock management with emphasis on milk production. Data for the study was collected via structured questionnaire from 120 women livestock farmers in five local governments of Sokoto state. The result of the analysis shows that majority of the women were in age range of 26-35 years and were married with virtually no western education, except quaranic education. Besides, they raised cattle, sheep and goats at different combination of which lactating cows, ewes and she goats constituted the greatest proportion per herd. The study also revealed that for both dry and wet season, labour requirements for herding feed preparation and sanitation were high. Furthermore, the average costs of the women livestock farmers wereN8159 and N4586 in the dry and wet season respectively. Gross margin per farm for wet season outweighed that of the dry season by about 14%. Common diseases of livestock in the area include foot-rot disease. Provision of well developed grazing land drugs improved veterinary centres and better breeding stock where recommended as provision for the enhancement of livestock production of women in the study area. Key words: Women livestock farmers, gross revenue, foot-rot disease, Sokoto state

A survey of dairy production practices in the derived Savannah of Oyo State South Western Nigeria

The study was conducted to find out dairy production practices among Agro-pastoral Fulani women in the derived Savannah of Oyo State, Southwestern Nigeria. Data were collected, using structured questionnaire from 120 Fulani women in three Local Government areas namely: Oyo West, Atiba and Ogbomosho North respectively. The study revealed that the main dairying activities are milking of cattle, processing and marketing of dairy products. The most preferred dairy products are wara (local cheese), ghee and butter. Marketing was done exclusively by self or in combination with intermediaries ("middlemen"). Main reasons for engagement in dairying activities are: Income generation, cultural and husband's wish. Constraints mostly encountered are bad roads, inadequate transport facilities and inadequate supply of raw milk from the cattle in dry season. Sources of agricultural information include; friends/neighbours, radio broadcasts, and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Programme, Ibadan.Keywords: Fulani women, milk processing, Wara, Ghee, Butter

Production dynamics and growth rates of livestock in the derived Savannah of Oyo State, Nigeria

No Abstract