Determinants of savings among small-scale food crop farmers in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria

The study on the Determinants of savings among small scale farmers was conducted in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 110 small scale farmers. Data were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics and the multiple linear regression analysis. The study showed that the mean age of farmers in the study area was 47.7years and that majority (78%) of the farmers were married with mean household size of 6 persons. Majority (45.4%) of the farmers had attained primary education and had mean farm sizes of 1.57 hectares. The result of the multiple regression analysis showed that farm size and income had a significant positive influence on the farmers volume of savings while, household size and distance to financial institutions had a significant negative influence on the farmers volume of savings. The main constraints to the small scale farmer’s inability to save are inadequate income, lack of access to credit facilities and delays and congestion in bank halls. The study recommended that Government, stakeholders and policy makers should provide incentives in the form of short and medium term loans to enhance the productivity and income levels of the small scale food crop farmers.Keywords: Savings, Small scale farmers and Incom

Comparative analysis of the profitability of rice production by credit and non-credit users in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The study focused on the comparative analysis of the profitability of rice production by credit and non-credit users in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi state. The specific objectives of the study were to; determine the socio-economic characteristics of rice farmers in the study area, analyse the factors influencing the output of rice farmers, compare the profitability of rice production by credit and non-credit users and to identify the constraints militating against rice production in the study area. The Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 72 rice farmers that were categorized into users and non-users of credit. The descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, net income model and profitability index were employed in analysing data for the study. The findings revealed that the mean age of credit and non-credit users were 42 years and 43 years  respectively, majority of the respondent were males for both credit (64%) and non-credit users (78%). The study further revealed the mean  household size for both the credit and non-credit users was 5 persons, while majority of the respondent had attained primary education (36%) for credit users and (39%) for non-credit users. The results of the ordinary least square regression revealed that the coefficients of farming experience, household size, farm size and access to credit were positive and significant at 1% level, implying that there is a direct relationship between these variables and the output of rice farmers and that an increase in the years of farming experience, household size, hectare of farmland and the ability of farmers to access credit will invariably lead to an increase in the output of rice farmers in the study area. The study further revealed that rice farmers in the study area that accessed credit facility had a net margin of ₦ 969,982.99 as against the net margin of ₦ 418,539.48 for farmers who did not access credit facilities. The profitability index ratio for farmers who accessed credit facility was 0.86 while the profitability index ratio for farmers who did not access credit facility was 0.52,which implied that for every naira invested in rice production by the rice farmers who accessed credit facility, 86 kobo was returned to the rice farmer while 52 kobo was returned to the rice farmers who did not access credit facilities, which implied that rice production is a profitable enterprise in the study area but it is more profitable amongst the farmers who accessed credit facilities. The study further identified inadequate credit facilities, high cost of labour and inputs as the major constraints militating against rice production in the  study area. It is recommended that Government, Policy makers and Non-governmental organizations should create an enabling environment to boost the productivity and income of rice farmers through the provision of adequate credit facilities to farmers, and by providing input subsidies to farmers. Keywords: Profitability, Rice farmers, Credit and Non-credit user

The practice of hepatocellular cancer surveillance in Nigeria

Background: Hepatocellular cancer is a disease of global and public health importance due to the widespread distribution of risk factors and associated high case fatality. Hepatocellular Cancer (HCC) in Sub-Saharan Africa is commonly seen among the younger age groups (<45 years) who present mostly in the terminal stage, when the disease is not amenable to any curative therapy. Hepatocellular Carcinoma surveillance employs the use of simple, cheap and readily available investigations, to detect early curable cancer in individuals with risk factors for HCC.Objectives:The aim of this study is to assess the practice of hepatocellular cancer screening among physicians.Methodolgy:This is a nationwide online survey carried out among physicians who care for patients with HCC. A questionnaire was sent out via a web link to all consenting doctors in Nigeria. The responses were collated in a cloud-based application and data was analysed using Epi-info version 20.Results:Atotal of 218 respondents, 142 were males (65.1 %) with a mean age of 37.6 ± 5.7 years. The modal age group was 31-40 years 153 (69.5%). The main factors considered as a hindrance to surveillance were; the cost of the tests (57.7%), failure of return of patients (50.5%) and not being aware of a surveillance program (45.2 %). The majority of the respondents were Gastroenterologists and Family Physicians. 54% of the gastroenterologists and 64% of the family physicians have never offered HCC surveillance to their patients.Conclusion:This survey highlights a knowledge gap in HCC surveillance among physicians. There is a need to make HCCsurveillance a daily routine among patients at risk by all physicians. Keywords: Surveillance, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, HBV, HCV, Cancer screening