Economic analysis of Senegalia senegal (Gum Arabic) production in Yobe state, Nigeria

This work analyzed the economics of Senegalia senegal (gum Arabic) production in Yobe state, Nigeria. Specifically, it studied the socioeconomic characteristic of the farming respondents and the profitability of gum Arabic production in the state. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select Afunori, Nangere and Damaturu plantation areas as well as the sampled gum Arabic farmers respectively. Yero Yemeni`s model was used in the determination of the number of gum Arabic farmers involved in the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and the variables on which data was collected included gum Arabic production inputs and output, marketing costs and revenues. Data was also collected on socioeconomic variables. Both financial and statistical tools were used in analyzing the data including Gross Margin (GM) and Profitability analyses. Socioeconomic data revealed that the gum Arabic production scenario was dominated by youth, the male gender, educated elites and public servants with small land holding. Financial results on the contrary, revealed US$805.86 (N241, 758.00) GM values per hectare per year, whereas US$ 345, 948.88 (N103, 784, 664.00) was the total net profit realized. On the average each respondent earned US$1, 572.49 (N 471, 747.00). Thus, it was concluded that gum Arabic production in the state was economically profitable. However, its resources were grossly under exploited. Other production constraints uncovered included land tenure problem, poor extension services, lack of improved planting stocks and poor support on the part of government. Creation of enabling environment for improved production and marketing as well as adequate stakeholder involvement were some of the major policy recommendations made. Keywords: Economic analysis, Senegalia senegal, production, Yobe Stat

Impact of foreign interventions on forest development projects in Jigawa state, Nigeria

Since the inception of independent, local interventions have been coming to play in forest development inNigeria. Therefore, there is need to access the impact of foreign interventions on forest development projects in Nigeria. Therefore, the study examined the impact of foreign interventions on the forest development project in Jigawa State with the view to ascertaining the need. Purposive sampling design employed in the study. A total of two hundred and forty (240) copies of questionnaire were administered and the data were subjected to the descriptive statistical analysis. The mean age of the respondents is 32.7 years. Majority (62.1%) were males, married (48.8%). Most respondents were either students (37.1%), farmers (28.3%) or business men (18.8%). Below average have secondary education (43.3%). On awareness only Tree planting (x =1.733), Individual Wood Lot ( x=1.558) and Home Garden practices ( x=1.471) were known. There is a low involvement in home garden ( x=0.992), individual wood lot ( x=1.063) while tree planting (x =1.696) showed high involvement. No positive perception on FDP in the minds of the respondents. FDP has favorable impact on agronomic practices and the environment except pollution (12.9%). Awareness campaign show be instituted to the respondents in the community on the significance of FDP. Proper efforts should be made to involve the respondents more on FDP since the involvement of the respondents in FDP is low. It is recommended that Jigawa State government need foreign invention on forest development project in order to assist the State in arresting the spread of drought and desertification, enhance the productivity of the agricultural land, stimulates and increase the production of fuel wood, poles and other minor forest products in the State through improved perception of the respondents on FDP and bettered to improve the utilization and involvement in FDP as well as addressing, explored and addressed other agronomic practices to help agriculture Keywords: Foreign Interventions, Forest Development, Impact, Jigawa State and Project

Economic analysis of Neem (Azadirachta indica) production in Yobe state, Nigeria

This work determined the economics of Azadirachta indica (neem) production in Yobe State, Nigeria. Specifically, it studied the socioeconomic characteristic of the farming respondents and the profitability of neem production in the State. Multistage sampling technique was used to select Afunori, Nangere and Damaturu plantation areas as well as the sampled neem farmers respectively. Yero Yemeni`s model was used in the determination of the number of neem farmers involved in the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and the variables on which data was collected included neem production inputs and output, marketing costs and revenues. Data was also collected on socioeconomic variables. Both descriptive statistics and economic tools were used in analyzing the data including percentages, frequency distribution tables and Gross Margin (GM) analyses. Socioeconomic data revealed that aged, male gender, individuals with no formal education as well those with small land holding constituted 50%, 95.45%, 54.55% and 90.91% respectively. Financial results revealed respective GM and net profit values of N3, 831.82 and N 3, 274.06 per hectare per year. Thus, it was concluded that neem production in the State was not economically viable and was attributed principally to ignorance of its economic potentials and lack of functional markets. Other production constraints uncovered included land tenure problem, poor extension services, lack of improved planting stocks and poor supportive services. Key words: Economic analysis, Azadirachta indica, productio

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised