Determinants of Agricultural Labour Productivity in the West African Sub-Region, 1970-2004

This paper examined the patterns and determinants of agricultural labour productivity among countries in West African sub-region over the period 1970 – 2004. The study was based on panel data extracted from FAOSTAT, the online statistical database of the Food and Agriculture Organisation as well as the database of United Nations Statistics Division and the Microsoft Encarta Encyclopaedia CD-ROM. The data were analyzed by a combination of descriptive and regression methods. The study revealed that eight (8) of the sixteen (16) West African countries (Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Niger, Senegal and Togo) had average labour productivities that were lower during the 2000-2004 period than the average they stated with during the 1970s. The West-African average labour productivity ranged between 484.72 and 536.52 from 1970 to 2004. Regression analyses revealed that agricultural labour productivity among countries in the sub-region would rise with increase in literacy rates, increase in capital formation (savings), increase in rates of fertilizer and tractor use as well as increase in proportion of agricultural land put under irrigation (p<0.01). However, periods of military rule and civilian dictatorship (one party state) were identified as being associated with significantly lower agricultural labour productivity in the sub-region. It is recommended that Governments in West Africa should intensify their efforts in providing basic education to their people as well as providing support for increased private sector participation in the procurement and distribution of critical inputs like fertilizer, tractors services, etc. &nbsp

AN ANALYSIS OF YIELDS OF KOLA-NUT PRODUCTION, PROCESSING AND MARKETING IN SAGAMU LGA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study on Kola nut production in Ogun State was aimed at describing the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, net farm income, marketing channels and factors influencing output of kola nut for its impact on food security. Multistage sampling technique was used in the study; the first stage involves the purposive selection of Sagamu Local Government as largest Kola nut farming with 4 communities; namely; Agbowa; Sagamu; Igodo, and Odelemo. The second stage involves simple random selection of 100 kola nut farmers, 25 per community. A structured questionnaire was administered subject to descriptive analysis, multiple regressions, and budgetary analysis. The results revealed that male 82% and female 18% were involved in kola nut production, processing and marketing. Average household size of 6 members with a minimum of 25 years farming experiences. The study revealed that 51% of the farmers sold directly to wholesalers, 37% sold to processors, and 12% sold to retailers. Also, 83%, of the producers and marketers were married 16% were widowed and only 1% divorced. Average age was 58years and average farm size of 2.71 hectares. Average farm net income was ₦208,680.40 per annum with the total revenue of ₦291,149 and a gross margin of ₦237,789.50 per annum. The average total cost incurred was calculated as ₦82,468.40 being cost of labour, transportation and items such as cutlass, hoes and files. Regression analysis used to determine the factors affecting the output of kola nut showed that farm size, age of kola nut plantation and the age of farmers were significant at 10%, 5% and 1% respectively using double log equation and the model was significant at 1%. The age of farmers (x1) was negatively significant which implies that as farmers reach old age, this may serve as hindrance due to physical inability to undertake vigorous farm activities hence reduction in output occurs by 13.3%. Farming experience (x2) was negatively correlated with output of kolanut indicating that a unit increase in experience of kolanut farmers will decrease output by 12.3%. Farm size was found to positively significant which implies that a unit increase in farm size will increase output by 83.1%.The result revealed that kola nut business is a profitable venture and male dominated. The women could be encouraged to invest in the business to increase their income and livelihood.

Analysis of resource-use efficiency in Beniseed production in obi and doma local government areas of nassarawa state, Nigeria

Beniseed has been recognized as a crop with high economic potential in Nigeria, both as source of raw materials for industries and reliable foreign exchange earner. The study assessed resource-use efficiency in beniseed production in Obi and Doma Local Government Areas of Nassarawa state during 2004/2005 farming season. Data were collected through multi-stage sampling procedure from 200 respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stochastic production frontier analysis. The technical efficiency index estimated for beniseed farmers was 0.59 which indicated inefficiency in current production practices. The efficiency indices for allocative and overall economic efficiencies were estimated to be 0.41 and 0.24 respectively. The findings showed that farm size, tractor service and hired labour significantly influenced technical efficiency (p< 0.01). The socio-economic factors associated with higher technical efficiency of the farmers included age, access to credit and fertilizer use (p< 0.10); frequency of extension visit (p< 0.10) significantly influenced allocative efficiency while overall economic efficiency was significantly (p< 0.01) influenced by use of fertilizer, selling price and access to credit (p< 0.10). The study concluded that high level of inefficiency exists under the present production practices and therefore recommends that resources such as fertilizer, tractor services and that credit should be made available to farmers for improved beniseed production.   &nbsp

DETERMINANTS OF HERBAL SOAP SMALL ENTERPRISES AND MARKET-LED DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA

Research into alternative natural products with health potential such as herbal soap has become very important to curb the disastrous effects of mercury-based soap on healthy living and so enhance women’s productive activities of the rural peasantry. The study examines the factors affecting herbal soap small enterprises development and marketing. In identifying the factors affecting the small enterprises, five hundred and two (502) herbal soap processors and marketers were surveyed from South West, Nigeria comprising 65 villages in the sampled 16 Local Government Areas. A close-ended questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. The data collected from herbal soap entrepreneurs was fitted into three regression functional forms. The functional forms were linear, semi-log and double log functions. The double log function was selected as the lead equation based on the significance of the individual coefficients and their signs, the magnitude of the coefficient of the multiple determinations (R2) and the magnitude of the standard error (SE) which was 0.80 and F- statistics of 2.35. The R2 of 0.829 indicated that 82.9% of the variation in the gross profit of herbal soap production (Y) was accounted for by the regressors/explanatory variables. Regression analysis result revealed that, household size and labour were significant at 10% while extension contact was significant at 5%. It is therefore recommended that, extension contact should be encouraged among the herbal soap processors in other to generate more income, also, awareness should be created for existing and prospective entrepreneurs about business opportunities in Natural resources utilising agricultural-wastes. 

PRICE TREND ANALYSIS OF SELECTED FOOD GRAINS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA (1988-2012)

The study examined the price trend of some selected food grains in Ogun State, Nigeria, using descriptive statistics, graphical representation and growth model to analyze its dynamic behaviour over the period of 1988-2012. The study was based on secondary data obtained from Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme for the period (1988-2012) and it covered the rural and urban monthly retail prices of three (3) food grains viz: maize (white and yellow), rice and cowpea (white and brown). Results of analysis revealed a consistent long-term movement or change in the prices of the food grains for both markets.  While price fluctuation was observed more with maize and cowpea, minimal adjustments were observed in rice. Exponential regression analysis showed a positive significant coefficient i.e. an upward trend in prices of both rural and urban markets with a significant F-statistics (p<0.01). The highest growth rate was seen in white cowpea in the urban market (i.e. 4.78%) while the least growth rate was in white maize in the rural market (i.e. 3.50%).Â

Production Elasticity and Returns-To-Scale of Smallholder Ofada Rice Farming, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study on the production elasticity and returns-to-scale on ofada rice farming in Ogun State, Nigeria, was specifically achieved by examining the existing farm-size patterns, describing the socio-economic characteristics of ofada rice farmers, determining the fragmentation level and estimating the elasticity of production and returns-to-scale on ofada rice farms. Primary data were collected from a cross-section of 240 farm households involved in ofada rice production. A multi-stage sampling technique using a combination of purposive and simple random sampling method was adopted to select the respondents for interview using a well-structured questionnaire. Tools of analysis include descriptive, regression as well as fragmentation/Simpson index analyses. Results showed that literacy level among the farmers was 56.2%, majority (73%) being youths while most (59%) of them utilized their personal savings for farm operations. About 79% of farmers operated less than 2 hectares of farmland, with average number of parcels  and mean farm size being 5 and 1.52 hectares, respectively. Average number of parcels operated however decreased as farm size increased. The mean yield of rice increased as farm size increased. Farm size, fertilizer, hired labour and seed variety showed positive and significant relationship with rice output. (p ≤ 0.05). The returns-to-scale of 0.57 indicates a decreasing returns-to-scale. Pests and disease attack ranked highest among the problems encountered by farmers. The study recommends that adequate land should be made available to farmers, majority (about 69%) of whom do not own the farmland being cultivated. Rice farmers should be encouraged and empowered as this will enhance their status on land being cultivated. This can take the form of contractual arrangement whereby government, rather than individual land owners provide the land. &nbsp

Contribution of Foreign Direct Investment and Other Selected Variables to Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria: 1990-2016

Over the past few years, Nigeria has been faced with a series of policy changes and political instability that has led to the incidence of capital flight from Nigeria. This study sought to examine the contribution of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and other selected variables to the Agricultural productivity. The study made use of annual time series of some macroeconomic variables and agricultural productivity spanning the period1990 to 2016. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Multiple Regression Model. The data were further tested for stationarity using the Augmented Dicky-Fuller unit root test where it was ascertained that the entire hypothesized variable were stationary and significant (p<0.01) at first difference. The study revealed that the amount allocated to the agricultural sector declined steadily over the years with the highest value in 2014. Similarly, the determinants of agricultural productivity included exchange rate, inflation rates, GDP, Government regime and per capita arable land (ha). The study therefore recommends that balanced exchange rate should be controlled for to encourage FDI inflow into the country and funds disbursed should be properly monitored and a system put in place to ensure proper implementation of the purpose for which the funds was disbursed by the Ministry of Agriculture

Contribution of Foreign Direct Investment to Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria

Over the past few years, Nigeria has been faced with a series of policy changes and political instability that has somewhat led to the incidence of capital flight from Nigeria. This study sought to examine the contribution of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Agricultural Sector. The study made use of annual time series of some macroeconomic variables and agricultural productivity spanning the period 1990 to 2016. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Multiple Regression Model. The data was further tested for stationarity using the Augmented Dicky-Fuller unit root test where it was ascertained that the entire hypothesized variable were stationary were significant(p<0.01) at first difference. The study revealed that the amount allocated to agricultural sector declined steadily over the years with all-time highest in the 90's. Similarly, the determinants of agricultural productivity include exchange rate, interest rates, GDP and FDI inflow into the agricultural sector. The study therefore recommends that an enabling environment be created through stable macroeconomic policies (monitoring of interest and exchange rates) and political stability be promoted so as to attract both domestic and foreign investors to the country