DOES FINANCIAL SECTOR REFORMS AFFECT AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENTS IN NIGERIA? A COINTEGRATION AND VAR APPROACH

The paper evaluates the effect of financial sector reforms on agricultural investments in Nigeria from 1970-2009 using a cointegration and vector error correction model (VECM) in a long time series analysis. The descriptive analysis shows that the mean agricultural investments of ₦88,101.83 million during financial sector reforms period was higher than ₦538.78 million of the pre-financial sector reforms period and was significantly different at 5 percent (tcal>ttab at P=0.5) while the mean growth rate of 36.36 percent for the prefinancial sector reforms period was higher than 34.25 percent of the financial sector reforms period and was not significantly different at 5 percent in the two periods. The result also reveals that financial sector reforms significantly affect agricultural investments in Nigeria both in the long and short-run. It is recommended that the Nigerian government should adopt strong macroeconomic policies, thereby encouraging investments in the agricultural sector of the country

DOES FINANCIAL SECTOR REFORMS AFFECT AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENTS IN NIGERIA? A COINTEGRATION AND VAR APPROACH

The paper evaluates the effect of financial sector reforms on agricultural investments in Nigeria from 1970-2009 using a cointegration and vector error correction model (VECM) in a long time series analysis. The descriptive analysis shows that the mean agricultural investments of ₦88,101.83 million during financial sector reforms period was higher than ₦538.78 million of the pre-financial sector reforms period and was significantly different at 5 percent (tcal>ttab at P=0.5) while the mean growth rate of 36.36 percent for the pre-financial sector reforms period was higher than 34.25 percent of the financial sector reforms period and was not significantly different at 5 percent in the two periods. The result also reveals that financial sector reforms significantly affect agricultural investments in Nigeria both in the long and short-run. It is recommended that the Nigerian government should adopt strong macroeconomic policies, thereby encouraging investments in the agricultural sector of the country

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE DETERMINANTS OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF QUOTED AND UNQUOTED AGRO-BASED FIRMS IN NIGERIA

The study examined the determinants of capital structure decision and compared the capital structure of quoted and unquoted agro-based firms in Nigeria. Data collected through a multi- stage random sampling from the financial statements of 28 quoted and 60 unquoted agro-based firms for the period 2005-2010 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Z-test and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression. The result revealed significant differences in capital structure (long term debt and total debt use) between quoted and unquoted agro-based firms. Short-term debts constituted a higher proportion of total debts of both sampled groups. The regression result showed that firm size, asset structure andgrowth coefficients had significant positive relationships with both long and short term debt finance for both listed and unlisted agro-based firms respectively. Result further showed that age of firms, educational status of CEO, export status of firms, and gender of firm owners were positive and significantly related to long term debt for both listed and unlisted firms. Also, highly profitable firms depended on internally generated revenue, thereby lending credence to the pecking order theory (POT). Therefore, The study showed that pecking order theory dominated the financing behavior of agro-based firms in Nigeria while the agency cost argument was only relevant for listed agro-based firms. Hence, policies that would enhance the acquisition of tangible assets, encourage exportation, ensure appropriate record keeping and encourage the use of more long term finance in place of short-term finance should be pursued

TREND EVALUATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXPORT CROPS IN NIGERIA

The study uses the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression technique to evaluate the growth rates of three agricultural export crops (cocoa, palm kernel and palm oil) in Nigeria between1970-2009. The result reveals that growth rates in export of these crops are higher in the financial sector reform period than in the pre-financial sector reform period except in palm kernel and are statistically significant at 5% probability level. This therefore suggests the need to enhance the production of these crops through provision of basic farm inputs, extension, proper financing as well as pursue policies that will encourage exportation and discourage the importation of these crops as the way out

LABOUR CHOICE DECISIONS AMONG CASSAVA CROP FARMERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

The study used primary data collected from 90 cassava farmers through a multi stage sampling technique to examine the determinants of labour choice decision among cassava crop farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multinomial logit regression and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression. Findings revealed that cassava production in the study area was dominated by young, and educated (75.6%), female (68.9%) farmers, with an average household size and farming experience of 6 persons and 10 years respectively. The multinomial logit result showed that while household size and labour cost significantly influenced the choice of borrowed labour, farming experience, educational level, income of farmers and farmer’s age significantly influenced the choice of hired labour for cassava production. Also, the coefficient for farm size was positive and significantly related to the choice of both borrowed and hired labour. The study further revealed that cassava production in the study area was profitable with a gross margin of N 154,840 and net income of N125, 590. The Ordinary Least Square result revealed that family labour, hired labour, age of farmers, farming experience, household size and farm size impacted severely on cassava output in the study area. This suggest the need to pursue policies that would enhance access to land and encourage economical land holdings, advocate and intensify campaigns on the profitability of cassava production and increased participation of farmers, especially younger people in cassava production in the study area as the way out

TREND EVALUATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXPORT CROPS IN NIGERIA

The study uses the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression technique to evaluate the growth rates of three agricultural export crops (cocoa, palm kernel and palm oil) in Nigeria between1970-2009. The result reveals that growth rates in export of these crops are higher in the financial sector reform period than in the pre-financial sector reform period except in palm kernel and are statistically significant at 5% probability level. This therefore suggests the need to enhance the production of these crops through provision of basic farm inputs, extension, proper financing as well as pursue policies that will encourage exportation and discourage the importation of these crops as the way out

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE DETERMINANTS OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF QUOTED AND UNQUOTED AGRO-BASED FIRMS IN NIGERIA

The study examined the determinants of capital structure decision and compared the capital structure of quoted and unquoted agro-based firms in Nigeria. Data collected through a multi- stage random sampling from the financial statements of 28 quoted and 60 unquoted agro-based firms for the period 2005-2010 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Z-test and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression. The result revealed significant differences in capital structure (long term debt and total debt use) between quoted and unquoted agro-based firms. Short-term debts constituted a higher proportion of total debts of both sampled groups. The regression result showed that firm size, asset structure andgrowth coefficients had significant positive relationships with both long and short term debt finance for both listed and unlisted agro-based firms respectively. Result further showed that age of firms, educational status of CEO, export status of firms, and gender of firm owners were positive and significantly related to long term debt for both listed and unlisted firms. Also, highly profitable firms depended on internally generated revenue, thereby lending credence to the pecking order theory (POT). Therefore, The study showed that pecking order theory dominated the financing behavior of agro-based firms in Nigeria while the agency cost argument was only relevant for listed agro-based firms. Hence, policies that would enhance the acquisition of tangible assets, encourage exportation, ensure appropriate record keeping and encourage the use of more long term finance in place of short-term finance should be pursued