A Comparative Analysis of Diet Quality in Urban and Rural Households in Ibadan Zone of Oyo State, Nigeria.

Deficiency in both diet quality and diet quantity is today a global problem. This study has its foundation in the Lancasterian theory of consumer choices as the basis for the study of protein intake in Nigeria. The objectives of this study are to determine the level of protein intake, estimate the expenditure elasticities for protein consumption, compare protein intake between rural and urban areas and examine the effect of location on protein consumption in the study area. Data for the study came from a sample survey of Ibadan zone of Oyo State, Nigeria. Multiple regression analysis was employed to analyze the data. Household nutrient intake functions were estimated under intercept and slope specifications. The total protein consumed by an average rural household (328.95gm) was more than that of an average urban household (268.52gml).The portion of protein from plant source of 54.08 gm for an average rural household was greater than the 51.1 gm available to the average urban household. This source does not satisfy the 70 gm/cap/day recommended intake by FAO (1985) for both the rural and urban areas. The result showed that overall per capita intake of 63.4 gm/cap/day of protein in rural area was greater than the 60.94 gm/cap/day for the urban area. The rural household per capita consumption of the nutrient was lower by 6.6 gm/cap/day than the recommended level while that of the urban area fell short of it by 9.06 gm /cap/day. The Intercept model produced four variables total expenditure (X1) in naira, household size (X2), (number) education of household head in years (X3) and education of wife in a monogamous household or sum of years, education of wives in a polygamous household. (X4) those were positive and significantly related to the consumption of protein. The household head’s education variable (X3) was positive and significant. The location variable was negative and significantly related to protein consumption. It indicated that the average rural household consumes more protein than the average urban household. The slope model showed that the variables total expenditure (X1) in naira, household size (X2), (number) education of household head in years (X3) and education of wife in a monogamous household or sum of years, education of wives in a polygamous household. (X4) were significant and directly related to protein consumption. The variable X1 interacted with the dummy was negative and significant indicating inverse relationship with protein consumption. This means that the elasticity of consumption of the nutrient with respect to X1 is greater for rural than for the urban household. That is, the elasticity value for the urban area was lower. The variables interacted with the dummy are positive. However, the interacted terms with household size (X2) and education of wives in a polygamous household. (X4) were significant while that with education of household head in years (X3) was insignificant. This significance implies that the elasticity with respect to this variable is lower for the rural than the urban household. Based on the findings in this study it is recommended that nutrient consumption awareness campaign, and Nutrition education policies be put in place.Keywords: Diet quality, Protein Consumption, Rural and Urban Nigeri

Poverty and Poverty Status in Oil Producing Communities of Ondo State, Nigeria.

This paper examined poverty and poverty status in the oil producing communities of Nigeria; using oil-producing communities of Ondo state, Nigeria as a case study. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect data on economic characteristics of the household. In the first stage, oil-producing communities were identified. Three communities from coastalareas and three communities from freshwater areas were purposively selected. In each of this area, one hundred and eighty households were randomly picked. This gave the same size of 360 households and where 300 households were successfully and used for further analysis. Twenty-seven percent of the households' consumed 100% of their farm/fish output. Some 50.34% often sold less than 50% of their outputs and 22.33% sold above 50%. Revenue from farming/fishing was estimated to be N159, 624.00 and loss of N175, 350.00. Households that made incomelosses from farming/fishing activities were 22.66% more than the number of those who did not lose. The results revealed that 60.18 percent of the households fell below the poverty line. Poverty gap index revealed 26.8% and 11.1% for severity of poverty. The majority of the identified poor households depended more on income from farming/fishing livelihoodactivities. The findings thus, revealed that majority of the households that do not diversified to non-farm livelihood activities were in the poor category. The different poverty levels were attributed to the intervention of oil pollution that led to decrease or loss of livelihood activities in farming/fishing, leading to poor incomes earned. Development of non farm rural activities (NFRA), education, improved health care facilities among other things are recommended as a way of alleviating extreme poverty situations in the area of study

Determinants of Yield Gap in Lowland Rice Production in North-Central Nigeria.

Although Nigeria has comparative resource advantage in terms of favourable climatic, edaphic and ecological conditions in the production of rice, local production has not been able to meet the growing demand. The inability of the Nigerian rice economy to satisfy the domestic demand and the consequent growth of rice import quantity and value remains a cause of concern. The study analyzed the difference between potential and actual yield of rice in North Central Nigeria. Employing a multi-stage sampling technique, data were obtained through the use of structured questionnaire administered to a sample of one hundred and forty four rice farmers in Niger state, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models. Results indicated that rice farmers in the area cultivated four improved rice varieties WITA 4, FARO 15, FARO 35 and FARO 44 with average yield gaps of 1.48, 2.85, 3.03 and 3.20 tons per hectare respectively. This makes these rice varieties under-exploited as farmers operate at levels where they obtain an average of 49% of the potential yield. Factors which contribute to the reduction in the magnitude of rice yield gap include increase in the frequency of contacts between farmers and extension workers, increase in fertilizer use per hectare and higher intensity of tractor use. It was recommended that the yield potential of cultivated rice varieties should be fully exploited as a first option to meeting the current level of national rice demand because increased rice production towards the attainment of self-sufficiency may well hinge upon the ability of farmers to narrow the gap between current rice yields and yield potentials.Keywords: Lowland rice, Yield gap, Nigeria

Scale Efficiency and Determinants of Productivity of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) Farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Rice productivity is low in Nigeria, and NERICA was introduced by West Africa Rice Development Agency (WARDA) to solve this problem. This study focused on NERICA productivity and efficiency in Kaduna State. A three-stage sampling technique was used with Kaduna State being purposively selected. Igabi and Soba Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected. Five villages were randomly selected from each LGA, with a total of 129 NERICA farmers selected and used for the analysis. There were technical and managerial inefficiencies among the farmers. NERICA production is characterized by increasing returns to scale with a value of 1.4954. The farmers were cost inefficient, hence there was room for improvement in NERICA production in the study area. The average productivity (AP) was 26.30. The average marginal productivity (MP) is 9.213. The average total factor productivity (TFP) is 12.87. Farmer’s age and access to credit had negative influence on both AP and MP. Extension contact and adoption of NERICA technology positively influenced the AP and MP. Farmer’s age had negative influence on total factor productivity. Formal education, farming experience, extension contact, farm commercialization and adoption of NERICA technology had positive influence on the total factor productivity of the NERICA farmers. Improvements in the supply of NERICA seed, extension services and level of farm commercialization are recommended.Keywords: Scale efficiency, productivity, NERICA, Kaduna State, Nigeri

An Analysis of the Production Efficiency of Broiler Firms in Ibadan Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

(Tropical Journal of Animal Science: 2003, 6(2): 103-110

Determinants of adoption of soil conservation practices in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study identified the soil conservation practices available to farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multi stage random sampling technique was used in selecting the sample needed for the subsequent analysis. The study indicated that the level of awareness of the farmers is high for most of the practices. The farmers commonly adopt fertilizers, minimum tillage and bush fallow practices. The truncated negative binomial Count Data model was used to identify factors influencing adoption of the practices. Factors identified as determinants of their adoption of soil conservation practices include: farm size, land tenure, extension contact, household net worth, awareness, perceived benefits. These variables are significant and impact positively on adoption decision. The perceived cost of adoption has a negative significant influence on their adoption decision. Keywords: Soil conservation practices; adoption paradigms; farmers' behaviour; Oyo State; NigeriaMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 107-11

Determinants of Yield Gap in Upland Rice Production in Southwestern Nigeria

Nigeria has comparative resource advantage in terms of favourable climatic, edaphic, and ecological conditions in the production of rice, yet local production has not been able to meet the growing demand which is expanding across all socio-economic classes. The inability of the Nigerian rice economy to satisfy the domestic demand and the consequent growth of rice import quantity and value remains a cause of concern. The magnitude and determinants of upland rice yield gap were examined and analyzed in this study. Employing a multi-stage sampling technique, data were obtained through the use of structured questionnaire administered to a sample of rice farmers in Ekiti state, Nigeria. Respondents cultivated three improved rice varieties – ITA 150, WAB 189 and FARO 55 with average yield gaps of 1.52, 1.38 and 0.91 tons per hectare, respectively. This makes these rice varieties under-exploited as farmers operate at levels where they obtain an average of 49% of the potential yield. Factors which would contribute significantly to the narrowing of rice yield gap in the study area include increased fertilizer (nutrientenhancing substances) use, increased agrochemical use and increased amount of available farm credits for direct farm investments

Determinants of poultry firms' participation in the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance scheme in Oyo State, Nigeria

No Abstract. Discovery and Innovation Vol. 17(1&2) 2005: 67-7

The British American Tobacco out growers scheme: Determinants of selection and its income effects on tobacco farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study analyzed the operation and performance of Tobacco Out grower Scheme in Oyo State, Nigeria. The data for the analysis came from a random sample survey of the area of study. The treatment effect model was adopted in analyzing the data. Evidence from the probit analysis indicates that membership of the cooperative, quality of household labour, honesty; work-habit and age of farmers have positive significant influence on the probability of being selected into the scheme. The estimated income equation shows that the dummy for out growers, the quality of labour, tobacco farm size, ratio of tobacco to food crop and crop diversification have positive significant relationship with income. The counter factual test carried out shows that being an out grower result in higher income. Government should examine the possibility of using such schemes for developmental purposes. JARD Vol. 5 (2) 2006: pp. 173-19

Determinants of total factor productivity in rain-fed lowland rice production system in Nigeria

Nigeria ranks highest as both producer and consumer of rice in the West African sub-region and has a very high potential of becoming a major producer and exporter of rice in the region, yet the country currently is not able to meet up with the domestic rice demand. Rain-fed upland and lowland ecologies constitute 80-85% of the national cultivated rice land and contribute 73-80% of total rice production. These two rice ecologies are noted to have the potential to meet national rice demand. This study examines the determinants of total factor productivity in the rain-fed lowland rice production system. Through a multi-stage sampling technique, a total of 151 rice farmers were selected and data collected through structured questionnaire. Results indicate significant positive effects of extension visits, commercialization level, farming experience and family labour on total factor productivity. Appropriate programs and policies in relation to these factors could further enhance productivity towards meeting the national demand for rice