Assessment of the viability of climate adaptation strategies of cassava-based farmers in southern Nigeria

The study examined the viability of climate adaptation strategies of cassava-based farmers in Southern Nigeria. A total of 300 cassava-based farmers were randomly selected. Primary data were obtained through administration of questionnaire, interview schedule and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics which involved the use of percentages, mean and frequency distributions as well as OLS multiple regression model. The specific objectives include: to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, identify the climate change adaptation practices employed, ascertain the viability of the climate change adaptation practices and to determine the factors influencing the use of climate change adaptation strategies by the cassava-based farmers in the study area. Results show that majority of the cassava-based farmers were females, married, had a mean age of 46 years, 19 years farming experience, household size of 8 persons, and mean farm size of 1.23 hectares. Results further showed that the cassava farmers adopted various of adaptation strategies such as mixed cropping 24.3%, crop rotation 16.3%, change in planting date 36.6%, use of improved varieties 63.2%, minimum tillage 37%, early and late planting 35.3% and 13.5% respectively. These practices facilitated the adaptation to climate change by the farmers. However, farming experience, farm size, education, access to extension  services, credits and farm income influenced the viability of the climatic adaptation strategies of the cassava-based farmers in the area. Farmers are advised to take good advantage of seminars, workshops, symposiums, and conferences on climate change and its implications on agricultural production. Keywords: Assessment; Viability; Adaptation, Climate Change, Strategies, Cassava-based Farmer

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

Effects of the European Union Micro Project Programme on the poverty status of food crop farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

The study evaluates the effects of the European Union Micro Project Programme (MPP6) on the poverty status of food crop farmers in Imo State. Primary data were collected with structured and validated questionnaire from one hundred and ninety eight farmers comprising of farmers in the beneficiary and non-beneficiary communities. The analytical tools used for the study include; descriptive statistics and the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) model. The FGT poverty measure showed that the poverty headcount for households in the beneficiary and non-beneficiary was 52 and 60 respectively; indicating that incidence of poverty was higher among households in the non benefitting communities than households in the benefitting communities. Thus the European Union should establish more infrastructural facilities particularly in the non-benefitting communities as this will bring about the development of the rural communities.Keywords: Micro project programme, Poverty and Small scale farmer

Determinants of Institutional Credit Demand by Small Scale Food Crop Farmers in Owerri Agricultural Zone of Imo State, South East Nigeria

The study was designed to investigate the determinants of institutional credit demand by small scale food crop farmers in Owerri Agricultural Zone. A total of one hundred and twenty food crops farmers were selected using multistage random sampling technique. Data were collected from the selected farmers with well structuredand validated questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression model. Results showed that loan transaction cost, interest on loan, age, household size, educational level, farming experience, farm size, collateral and farm income were important factors that influenced the demand for credit in the study area. It was concluded that farmers in the area would demand for more credit facilities if the interest rate charges, loan transaction costs and other obstacles that delay loan processing and disbursement to the farmers were reduced. Government should ensure that institutional credits are disbursed to farmers at a minimal interest rate in order to enhance food crop production in the area. Keywords: Determinants, Credit demand and Small scale farmers

The effect of the European union (MPP6) infrastructural development on the productivity of food crop farmers and development of rural areas in Imo state

The study examined the effect of the European Union infrastructural development on the productivity of food crop farmers and development of rural areas in Imo State. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents, determine the extent of infrastructural development in the area and ascertain the impact of the scheme on the productivity of the rural food crop farmers. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured and validated questionnaire from 240 respondents comprising of farmers in the beneficiary and non-beneficiary communities using the multi-stage sampling technique. The data retrieved from the questionnaire were analysed with the use of the descriptive statistics, the infrastructural index model and the ordinary least squares regression model. The mean infrastructural index for the beneficiary and the non-beneficiary communities was 0.84 and 1.01, respectively; these figures were used to rank communities based on their level of development. The study showed that 18.2, 72.7 and 9.1% of the sampled beneficiary communities were developed, moderately developed and underdeveloped, respectively while 81.8 and 18.2% of the non-beneficiary communities were moderately developed and underdeveloped, respectively. The pooled result of the ordinary least square regression model showed a good fit at p < 0.05, that a reduction in distance and cost of accessing the infrastructural facilities in the benefiting communities would increase food crop production in the area. The null hypothesis that the EU (MPP6) infrastructural facilities has no significant influence on the value of food crop production in the beneficiary communities was rejected as the F-cal obtained was greater than the F-tab at p 0.01 level. European Union through their Micro Project Programmes (MPP6) should expand it geographical scope to ensure that more infrastructural facilities are provided particularly in the non –beneficiary communities as this will bring about an increase in the productivity level of food crop farmers and the development of the rural areas.Key words: rural infrastructure, agricultural productivity, infrastructural index, European Union Micro Project Progra

Consumption of liquefied petroleum gas and its determinants: A prospect for indiscriminate tree harvesting in Imo State, Nigeria

The study analysed the consumption of liquefied petroleum gas and its determinants as a prospect for indiscriminate tree harvesting in Imo State, Nigeria. A total number of 96 questionnaires were distributed but only 90 of them were returned. Data collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Result shows that the weekly fuel wood and liquefied petroleum gas consumed by the households in the study area were 514.326MJ (37.27KG) and 65.92MJ (1.43KG) respectively. The result also identified indoor pollution, eye defect and loss of biodiversity with weighted means of 2.64, 3.00 and 2.67 respectively as very serious problems of fuel wood use. Result showed that clean fuels (as well as afforestation), ethanol cook stove, crop residue/animal dung and solar/water energy sources which ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively were the major prospects for indiscriminate tree harvesting in the study area. Results also indicated that at 1% levels of significance, price of liquefied petroleum gas, price of kerosene, household expenditure, household size and number of times electricity was available per month were the majordeterminants of liquefied petroleum gas consumption in the study areas. Given the urgency of the clean energy access, the paper recommends that relevant stakeholders should prioritize efforts and financial supports geared toward the alleviation of the problems of indiscriminate tree harvesting. It also advocates for LPG subsidization to encourage more users of the fuel. Keywords: Indiscriminate wood harvesting, loss of bio-diversity, clean energ

Gender roles in climate change adaptation strategies by cassava farmers in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State

The study examined gender roles in climate change adaptation strategies used by cassavabased farmers in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. It specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers across all gender levels, identified adaptation strategies practiced by these farmers across gender levels and the problems encountered by cassava farmers in the use of adaptation strategies in the study area. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 60 respondents in the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of socio-economic characteristics of the farmers showed that 56.6% of the male farmers were married which is greater than 46.60% of the married females. The males had more average income of ₦1,620,000.13 compared to ₦133,000.66 for the females. The females had more farm experience than the males, while the male cultivated larger farms. The main adaptation strategies used by cassava farmers in the study area were change of planting date, moving to a different site, mixed cropping and changing the timing of land preparation. Irregular extension services were the major constraint faced by the cassava farmers with a mean value of 3.722 for male farmers and mean of 4.411 for female farmers. It is concluded that gender plays several roles in climate change adaptation strategies in cassava-based farming in the study area. Based on the findings, efforts should be made by government and relevant stakeholders to educate cassava farmers on climate change adaptation strategies along gender lines.Keywords: Gender, adaptation strategies, roles, climate change, cassava-based farmer

Determinants of Access to Landholding in Female-Headed Cassava Farming Households in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria.

This study on determinants of access to landholding by female-headed households involved in Individual tenure system in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria was carried out to ascertain the access to farmland by gender in individual tenure systems in the area as well as identifying the factors affecting access to landholding of female-headed cassava-based farming households under individual tenure system. A multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted for this study while data were collected through primary sources. The sample size consists of male and female headed households involved in individual tenure system respectively making a total of 234 cassava farming household respondents. Descriptive statistics as well as multiple regression technique were employed in analyzing the field data. Male headed households had more access to farmland than female headed households. Results show that age, income, asset size, farming experience, level of education, access to credit, land prices and location of farmland were factors affecting access to landholding by female headed households under individual tenure system in the study area

Gender and Resource Productivity in Rice Production n Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract: The inadequacy of information on resource productivity and their differentials by gender in rice production has prevented rice farmers from knowing the resources they are yet to realize their full potentials. This study analyzed resource productivity by gender in rice production in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling techniques were used to select a sample of 130 rice farmers comprised of 65 males and 65 females from the 13 Local government areas of Ebonyi State. Data were collected with structured and validated questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and productivity model. Results showed that marginal productivity of labour, capital and land for male farmers were higher than those of female farmers, while the marginal productivity of fertilizer and seed for female farmers were higher than those of male farmers. Rice farmers should be encouraged to use more of the resource imputs since a unit change in their use increases rice output