Nigeria's Seven-Point agenda and the financial crisis: Implications for growth and development

Using empirical data, this paper argues that achieving the 'Seven-Point Agenda' would be nearly impossible taking into consideration the current global economic crisis, Nigeria's looming budget deficits and the volatility of international oil prices. The paper suggests that there is always the risk of failure to Nigeria's reform programs given the country's unending political corruption - a problem that cannot be expected to improve given the high levels of uncertainty that have been brought on by the global economic crisis, budget deficits, inflation and the volatility of both the stock market and international oil prices. The paper argues that the sometimes wild inconsistency of government policies hampers the success of reform programs and that, if anything, the only consistency in Nigerian governance seems to be corruption. Accordingly, today, amidst structural corruption, poor budgetary controls, and other challenges to policy implementation, reform programs are often viewed as a thing of the past. For the Seven-Point Agenda to succeed, it is therefore imperative that the corrupt political machinations and the lack of budgetary discipline be thoroughly considered and openly discussed by all stakeholders involved in the process. This is particularly true given the aforementioned economic challenges with which Nigeria is now faced

New conceptual framework for sustainability

In 2015 the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the Paris climate change agreement (COP 21) again drew international attention to the critical global challenges of sustainable development and climate change. For addressing these challenges, an accurate understanding of the complexity and interdependent nature of sustainability is imperative. Within the context of the present development path, this conceptual paper brings clarity to the key issues and actions needed, relevant to the five components of sustainable development. Connected to the key issues and actions required, from a broader and deeper paradigmatic perspective, the framework emphasises the need to shift towards a sustaincentric paradigm, away from the dominant social paradigm

Is It All About the Money? Extent, Reasons and Triggers for Side-selling in Malawi’s Paprika Supply Chain

The purpose of this paper is to advance the knowledge on side-selling. The case study of the paprika supply chain in Central Malawi showed that 36.9% of small-scale farmers engaged in side-selling. It was projected that the focal company lost between 19.9% to 44.6% of paprika due to side-selling. The main reason for side-selling was the higher price offered by local vendors. Binary logit regression indicated that the geographical location, education and income levels, distance to the collection point, a negative impact of contracting on livelihoods, membership in farmers' association and assistance from the Government significantly influenced small-scale farmers’ side-selling

Determinants of farmer participation in direct marketing channels: A case study for cassava in the Oyo State of Nigeria

Improving rural farmers’ access to direct agricultural markets is required to ensure sustainable supply of food. Rural farmers in the developing world account for the largest share of food supply including cassava. Globally, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is recognised as an important source of valuable semi-processed industrial raw materials such as ethanol, high-quality cassava flour and starch. However, there is less empirical research on rural farmers’ participation in direct marketing channels in the cassava sector. This study focused on analysing the determinants of farmer participation in direct marketing channels using the case of the cassava sector in the Oyo State of Nigeria. The Bivariate Tobit model was applied in the empirical analysis, based on a primary dataset generated from 400 rural cassava farmers from the Oyo State of Nigeria. The result showed that, in general, farmers sold a higher percentage of their cassava output to processors. The Bivariate Tobit results showed that human capital, physical capital, social capital, and market conditions had significant effects on farmers’ decisions on whether to sell their cassava output directly to processors or middlemen. On the contrary, natural and financial capitals did not significantly affect farmers’ marketing channel decision. The study recommends that policy instruments should target improving road networks in rural areas, enhancing farmers’ access to market information, and increasing membership of farmer association to ensure an active participation of farmers in the direct marketing channels

Impact of access to credit on farm income: policy implications for rural agricultural development in Lesotho

In this era of rapidly increasing food demand, a sustainable food supply is required to meet such demand. This suggests that capital investment through adequate access to credit is needed to develop the agricultural sector in developing countries including Lesotho. Therefore, this paper examined farmers’ access to credit and its impact on farm income using a three-stage model, namely: Probit, Tobit, and propensity score matching. The study was conducted in Lesotho with a sample size of 100 farmers. The empirical results reveal that access to credit increases net farm revenues by US$116.608 to US$136.894. Furthermore, savings, scale of production, membership of farmer associations and financial record keeping exert significant positive effects on access to credit, while higher interest rates reduce farmers’ likelihood of securing credit from a financial institution. We conclude that adequate access to credit is necessary to promote a sustainable agricultural development and the livelihoods of rural farmers in Africa

The Future of Subsistence Agriculture in the Rural Community of Uzanu, Edo State, Nigeria

This study examines the current practice of subsistence agriculture in Uzanu, Edo state, Nigeria, and its contribution to the agricultural development and food security of the rural community now and for the future. All the farmers in the region are dependent on subsistence farming based on shifting cultivation and also practice intercropping to an extent. This farming system serves as a livelihood source, providing food, cash, and income as well as serving other social and cultural functions. Subsistence farmers try to manage farming uncertainties based on local knowledge and implemented through community support systems. This article argues that subsistence agricultural practices should be supported as a new approach to both economic and social protection, as it underpins production as well as consumption in resource-poor communities. This study evaluates the role and development of subsistence agricultural development and its adaptations in Uzanu. The results show that rural subsistence agricultural production could be improved if rural farmers had access to training on subsistence farming systems based on indigenous knowledge and skill sets, targeted to enhance and increase farm output.This study concludes that subsistence agriculture is an important element for growth and development in Nigeria despite the low output and income currently generated from it

Nigeria\u27s Seven-Point agenda and the financial crisis: Implications for growth and development

Using empirical data, this paper argues that achieving the \u27Seven-Point Agenda\u27 would be nearly impossible taking into consideration the current global economic crisis, Nigeria\u27s looming budget deficits and the volatility of international oil prices. The paper suggests that there is always the risk of failure to Nigeria\u27s reform programs given the country\u27s unending political corruption - a problem that cannot be expected to improve given the high levels of uncertainty that have been brought on by the global economic crisis, budget deficits, inflation and the volatility of both the stock market and international oil prices. The paper argues that the sometimes wild inconsistency of government policies hampers the success of reform programs and that, if anything, the only consistency in Nigerian governance seems to be corruption. Accordingly, today, amidst structural corruption, poor budgetary controls, and other challenges to policy implementation, reform programs are often viewed as a thing of the past. For the Seven-Point Agenda to succeed, it is therefore imperative that the corrupt political machinations and the lack of budgetary discipline be thoroughly considered and openly discussed by all stakeholders involved in the process. This is particularly true given the aforementioned economic challenges with which Nigeria is now faced

The Future of Subsistence Agriculture in the Rural Community of Uzanu, Edo State, Nigeria

This study examines the current practice of subsistence agriculture in Uzanu, Edo state, Nigeria, and its contribution to the agricultural development and food security of the rural community now and for the future. All the farmers in the region are dependent on subsistence farming based on shifting cultivation and also practice intercropping to an extent. This farming system serves as a livelihood source, providing food, cash, and income as well as serving other social and cultural functions. Subsistence farmers try to manage farming uncertainties based on local knowledge and implemented through community support systems. This article argues that subsistence agricultural practices should be supported as a new approach to both economic and social protection, as it underpins production as well as consumption in resource-poor communities. This study evaluates the role and development of subsistence agricultural development and its adaptations in Uzanu. The results show that rural subsistence agricultural production could be improved if rural farmers had access to training on subsistence farming systems based on indigenous knowledge and skill sets, targeted to enhance and increase farm output.This study concludes that subsistence agriculture is an important element for growth and development in Nigeria despite the low output and income currently generated from it

Food price volatility and socio-economic inequalities in poor food consumption status during coronavirus disease-2019 lockdown among slum and non-slum households in urban Nansana municipality, Uganda

Abstract Background This study assessed staple food price volatility, household food consumption scores (FCS), poor household food consumption status and its association with socio-economic inequalities during enforcing and partial lifting of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions in slum and non-slum households (HHs) of Nansana municipality, Uganda. Methods Repeated cross-sectional surveys were conducted during enforcing and partial lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. A total of 205 slum and 200 non-slum HHs were selected for the study. Telephone based interviews with HH heads were used to collect data on socio-economic factors. Data for FCS was collected using the World Food Programme FCS method. Prices for staple foods were collected by face-to-face interviews with food vendors from the local market. Mean staple food price differences before COVID-19 lockdown, during enforcing, and partial lifting of lockdown was tested by Analysis of variance with repeated measures. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between socio-economic variables and poor food consumption status. A statistical test was considered significant at p < 0.05. Results Mean staple food prices were significantly higher during enforcing COVID-19 total lockdown restrictions compared to either 1 week before lockdown or partial lifting of lockdown (p < 0.05). Mean FCS for staple cereals and legumes were significantly higher in slum HHs during COVID-19 lockdown compared to when the lockdown was partially lifted (p < 0.05). In slum HHs, the prevalence of poor food consumption status was significantly higher during partial lifting (55.1%) compared to total lockdown of COVID-19 (15.1%), p < 0.05. Among slum HHs during lockdown restrictions, food aid distribution was negatively associated with poor food consumption status (AOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1–0.6), whilst being a daily wage earner was positively associated with poor food consumption status (AOR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.1–0.6). During partial lifting of COVID-19 lockdown in slum HHs, poor food consumption status was positively associated with female headed HHs (AOR: 1.2, 95%CI: 1.1–1.6), daily wage earners (AOR: 3.2, 95% CI: 2.6–3.8), unemployment (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.5–2.1) and tenants (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.8–3.5). Female headed HHs, daily wage earners and tenants were positively associated with poor food consumption status either during enforcing or partial lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in non-slum HHs. Conclusion Staple food prices increased during enforcing either the COVID-19 lockdown or partial lifting of the lockdown compared to before the lockdown. During the lockdown, food consumption improved in slum HHs that received food aid compared to those slum HHs that did not receive it. Household heads who were females, daily wage earners, unemployed, and tenants were at risk of poor food consumption status either in slum or non-slum, and therefore needed some form of food assistance either during enforcing or partial lifting of the lockdown