Migration and Agricultural Investment in Southeast, Nigeria

Gender shapes migration and agricultural investments in farming households. Despite indications that gender plays an important role in driving migration and remittance, research in this context is limited. This study therefore, explored rural-urban migration and agricultural investment in Southeast Nigeria. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique in the selection of respondents. Cross-sectional data gathered from 200 household heads (100 male-headed households and 100 female-headed households) was used. Using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression the findings reveal that majority of male and female migrants (60% and 55% respectively) in male-headed households migrated in search of jobs. Majority of male and female migrants in female-headed households (50% and 55% respectively) migrated in search of jobs. The major determinants of migration were gender of the migrant, gender of the household head, age, income, access to credit, number of migrants in the working age, occupation and number of livelihood activities pursued by the household. The average annual remittance from male migrants in male-headed households was N204,269.3 while that of their female counterparts was N161,297.76. The average annual remittance from male migrants in female-headed households was N189,282.9 while that of their female counterparts was N170,297.8. The average amount of remittance invested in agriculture in male-headed households was N131,334.8 while that of their female counterparts was N151,676.5. The study concludes that gender drives migration, remittances from both the sender and receiver perspectives and household investment decisions. It is however recommended that gender should be mainstreamed in migration policies to consider the peculiarities of both men and women in migration and remittances

Migration and Agricultural Investment in Southeast, Nigeria

Gender shapes migration and agricultural investments in farming households. Despite indications that gender plays an important role in driving migration and remittance, research in this context is limited. This study therefore, explored rural-urban migration and agricultural investment in Southeast Nigeria. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique in the selection of respondents. Cross-sectional data gathered from 200 household heads (100 male-headed households and 100 female-headed households) was used. Using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression the findings reveal that majority of male and female migrants (60% and 55% respectively) in male-headed households migrated in search of jobs. Majority of male and female migrants in female-headed households (50% and 55% respectively) migrated in search of jobs. The major determinants of migration were gender of the migrant, gender of the household head, age, income, access to credit, number of migrants in the working age, occupation and number of livelihood activities pursued by the household. The average annual remittance from male migrants in male-headed households was N204,269.3 while that of their female counterparts was N161,297.76. The average annual remittance from male migrants in female-headed households was N189,282.9 while that of their female counterparts was N170,297.8. The average amount of remittance invested in agriculture in male-headed households was N131,334.8 while that of their female counterparts was N151,676.5. The study concludes that gender drives migration, remittances from both the sender and receiver perspectives and household investment decisions. It is however recommended that gender should be mainstreamed in migration policies to consider the peculiarities of both men and women in migration and remittances

Migration and Agricultural Investment in Southeast, Nigeria

Gender shapes migration and agricultural investments in farming households. Despite indications that gender plays an important role in driving migration and remittance, research in this context is limited. This study therefore, explored rural-urban migration and agricultural investment in Southeast Nigeria. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique in the selection of respondents. Cross-sectional data gathered from 200 household heads (100 male-headed households and 100 female-headed households) was used. Using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression the findings reveal that majority of male and female migrants (60% and 55% respectively) in male-headed households migrated in search of jobs. Majority of male and female migrants in female-headed households (50% and 55% respectively) migrated in search of jobs. The major determinants of migration were gender of the migrant, gender of the household head, age, income, access to credit, number of migrants in the working age, occupation and number of livelihood activities pursued by the household. The average annual remittance from male migrants in male-headed households was N204,269.3 while that of their female counterparts was N161,297.76. The average annual remittance from male migrants in female-headed households was N189,282.9 while that of their female counterparts was N170,297.8. The average amount of remittance invested in agriculture in male-headed households was N131,334.8 while that of their female counterparts was N151,676.5. The study concludes that gender drives migration, remittances from both the sender and receiver perspectives and household investment decisions. It is however recommended that gender should be mainstreamed in migration policies to consider the peculiarities of both men and women in migration and remittances

Adoption of Bio-fortified Pro-Vitamin-A Cassava and Health Outcome of Farming Households in Abia and Anambra States Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between the adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties and farming households’ health outcomes using cross sectional data obtained from 318 cassava farmers in southeast Nigeria. The data was analysed using binary logistic regression, propensity score matching of treatment effects and percentages. The study found that number of children under five, household size, education of head of household, extension service, ownership of television, radio, mobile phone and tricycle, membership of cooperative societies, and access to credit were the significant predictors of adoption of pro-vitamin-A bio-fortified cassava varieties in the States. The study also found that the main constraints militating against adoption of pro-vitamin-A bio-fortified cassava include decaying of roots immediately after maturation, high cost of cassava stem, and high moisture content. The estimate of the effect of the adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties on incidence of vitamin-A deficiency related diseases was significant with an average treatment effect on the adopters of -0.463. The adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties has substantial effect on the reduction of vitamin-A deficiency related health outcomes. There is need for wider awareness and dissemination of the varieties among cassava farmers, while interventions should target the promotion of both production and consumption of such cassava varieties

Adoption of Bio-fortified Pro-Vitamin-A Cassava and Health Outcome of Farming Households in Abia and Anambra States Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between the adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties and farming households’ health outcomes using cross sectional data obtained from 318 cassava farmers in southeast Nigeria. The data was analysed using binary logistic regression, propensity score matching of treatment effects and percentages. The study found that number of children under five, household size, education of head of household, extension service, ownership of television, radio, mobile phone and tricycle, membership of cooperative societies, and access to credit were the significant predictors of adoption of pro-vitamin-A bio-fortified cassava varieties in the States. The study also found that the main constraints militating against adoption of pro-vitamin-A bio-fortified cassava include decaying of roots immediately after maturation, high cost of cassava stem, and high moisture content. The estimate of the effect of the adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties on incidence of vitamin-A deficiency related diseases was significant with an average treatment effect on the adopters of -0.463. The adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties has substantial effect on the reduction of vitamin-A deficiency related health outcomes. There is need for wider awareness and dissemination of the varieties among cassava farmers, while interventions should target the promotion of both production and consumption of such cassava varieties

Adoption of Bio-fortified Pro-Vitamin-A Cassava and Health Outcome of Farming Households in Abia and Anambra States Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between the adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties and farming households’ health outcomes using cross sectional data obtained from 318 cassava farmers in southeast Nigeria. The data was analysed using binary logistic regression, propensity score matching of treatment effects and percentages. The study found that number of children under five, household size, education of head of household, extension service, ownership of television, radio, mobile phone and tricycle, membership of cooperative societies, and access to credit were the significant predictors of adoption of pro-vitamin-A bio-fortified cassava varieties in the States. The study also found that the main constraints militating against adoption of pro-vitamin-A bio-fortified cassava include decaying of roots immediately after maturation, high cost of cassava stem, and high moisture content. The estimate of the effect of the adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties on incidence of vitamin-A deficiency related diseases was significant with an average treatment effect on the adopters of -0.463. The adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties has substantial effect on the reduction of vitamin-A deficiency related health outcomes. There is need for wider awareness and dissemination of the varieties among cassava farmers, while interventions should target the promotion of both production and consumption of such cassava varieties

Climate Change Perception and Uptake of Climate-Smart Agriculture in Rice Production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Rice production in Nigeria is vulnerable to climate risks and rice farmers over time have experienced the risks and their respective impacts on rice farming. Rice farmers have also responded to perceived climate risks with strategies believed to be climate-smart. Farmers’ perception of climate risks is an important first step of determining any action to be taken to counteract the negative effects of climate change on agriculture. Studies on the link between perceived climate risks and farmers’ response strategies are increasing. However, there are limited studies on the determinants of rice farmers’ perception of climate events. The paper therefore examined climate change perception and uptake of climate-smart agriculture in rice production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria using cross-sectional data from 347 rice farmers in an important rice-producing area in Nigeria. Principal component analysis, multivariate probit regression model and descriptive statistics were adopted for data analysis. Perceived climate events include increased rainfall intensity, prolonged dry seasons, frequent floods, rising temperature, severe windstorms, unpredictable rainfall pattern and distribution, late onset rain, and early cessation of rain. Farmers’ socioeconomic, farm and institutional characteristics influenced their perception of climate change. Additionally, rice farmers used a variety of climate-smart practices and technologies to respond to the perceived climate events. Such climate-smart practices include planting improved rice varieties, insurance, planting different crops, livelihood diversification, soil and water conservation techniques, adjusting planting and harvesting dates, irrigation, reliance on climate information and forecasts, planting on the nursery, appropriate application of fertilizer and efficient and effective use of pesticides. These climate-smart agricultural measures were further delineated into five broad packages using principal component analysis. These packages include crop and land management practices, climate-based services and irrigation, livelihood diversification and soil fertility management, efficient and effective use of pesticide and planting on the nursery. High fertilizer costs, lack of access to inputs, insufficient land, insufficient capital, pests and diseases, floods, scorching sun, high labour cost, insufficient climate information, and poor extension services were the barriers to uptake of climate-smart agriculture in rice production. Rice farmers should be supported to implement climate-smart agriculture in rice production in order to achieve the objectives of increased rice productivity and income, food security, climate resilience and mitigation

Impact of Poultry Farmers’ Participation in Modern Food Retail Markets on Household Dietary Diversity: Lessons from Southeast Nigeria

This study analyzed the interrelationships between participation in MFRMs and dietary diversity of poultry farming households in Southeast Nigeria. We used cross-sectional data from poultry farmers in Southeast Nigeria and employed instrumental variable and seemingly unrelated regression models to estimate the impact of MFRM participation and major linkages to poultry farm households’ dietary diversity. The results show that participating in MFRMs, relative to traditional markets, improved poultry farmers’ dietary diversity. Moreover, dietary diversity was positively related to higher poultry farm incomes, higher value of own poultry products consumed, and larger area of vegetable cultivated using poultry droppings as manure. Furthermore, increased poultry farm income, higher value of own poultry products consumed, and larger area of vegetable land cultivated using poultry droppings as manure increased the dietary diversity of the farm households. In contrast, a higher share of poultry production revenue controlled by men reduced household dietary diversity. These findings make clear the potential of improving farming households’ nutrition outcomes by promoting participation in MFRMs and the major impact pathways

Impact of Climate Information Services on Crop Yield in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This paper assessed crop farmers’ access and utilization of climate information services (CIS) and impact of CIS use on crop yields in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 405 farmers from the State, and data were collected through a survey of the farmers using a questionnaire. We employed descriptive statistics, endogenous treatment effect, and Heckman probit selection model to analyze the data collected. The result indicates that a majority (89%) of the farmers accessed climate information and that the common sources of climate information include agricultural extension officers, fellow farmers, and radio. This study shows that 88% of the farmers used climate information services in making farming decisions. Farmers’ age, household size, marital status, farming experience, income extension contact, ownership of television, ownership of radio, ownership of mobile phone, proximity to the market, workshop/training participation, climate events experienced, and knowledge of appropriate application of fertilizer significantly influenced both access and utilization of CIS. The use of CIS in planning for farming activities significantly increased rice, maize, and cassava yields. The study demonstrates the important contribution of climate information services in crop production. We therefore recommend that access and use of climate information services in agricultural communities should be increased

Climate change adaptation actions by fish farmers: evidence from the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

This paper examined climate change adaptation strategies in fish farming and the effect of such methods on the profit of fish farmers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. Using cross-sectional data obtained from 420 fish farmers from the region and applying multivariate probit and instrumental variable regressions, the study found that fish farmers have adopted a broad range of strategies to address climate risk and that these have significantly increased farmers’ profit. Our findings indicated important relationships between certain farm, socio-economic and institutional characteristics and the adaptation actions. The study provides useful insight into factors that potentially encourage the adoption of livelihood-enhancing climate risk adaptation strategies by fish farmers in the Niger Delta region and similar contexts