International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 250-258, January, 2017.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Environmental and economic usefulness of soil and water conservation practices in Ethiopia

Tilahun Dinav¹*, Liya O. Astatke², Senait A. Defar¹ and Berhanu Muluta Bikila¹

¹Natural Resources Management Department, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dilla University, Ethiopia.

²Agricultural Economics Department, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dilla University, Ethiopia.

Email: [email protected]

Received 10 December, 2016; Accepted 10 January, 2017

Abstract

Efforts towards soil and water conservation (SWC) goal were started since the mid-1970s and 80s to alleviate both the problems of erosion and low crop yield of Ethiopia. The data were collected through structured questionnaire via face to face interview with 120 sampled household (HH) from Karasodity and Deko villages of Wenago district. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Heckman two-step econometric estimation procedure. Family size, frequency of extension services, training, and types of SWC practices showed significance and positive relationship with environmental effectiveness (EP) of SWC practices. Access of input, age of the household head, livestock holding and land size were positively related with, and frequency of extension services, access of credit and total land to labor ratio were negatively related with effectiveness of SWC practices on economic level of household (ELHH). Total benefit of SWC practices showed negative relationship with ELHH and statistically significant at p<0.01. It indicated the fact that the benefits from investing in SWC practices accrue over time. There should be work to demonstrate the profitability through providing technical support, access to credit, and provision of efficiently working tools needed for the construction and maintenance of SWC practices 

Key words: Soil and water conservation (SWC), environmental, economic, effectiveness, Heckman

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 229-249, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Socio-economic determinants and profitability of cassava production in Nigeria

Oni Timothy Olukunle (Ph.D.)

Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), P.M.B 5, University of Ibadan Post Office, Oyo Road, Ojoo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.Email: [email protected] Tel. +234 8033950670.

Accepted 14 March, 2016

Abstract

Nigeria remained an importer of cassava products that can be derived from cassava in spite of her leading position in cassava production. Instability in production of the crop hindered its diversification to manufacturing industry. Therefore, the paper investigated socio-economic factors that determined productivity and profitability of the crop in Nigeria. Regression and budgetary techniques were used in analyzing primary data collected through a survey of farmers. Results revealed three significant determinants of net profit were land area planted to cassava, man-days of labour used and marketing cost incurred by the farmer. Effects of land area planted were positive, while those of man-days of labour and marketing cost were negative on net profit. Also, three significant determinants of cassava output were land area planted, marketing cost and age of the farmer.  10 per cent increase in area planted resulted into 4.8 percent increase in output. 10 percent increase in marketing cost brought about 5.5 percent decline in output, while 10 per cent increase in age of the farmer led to 3.8 per cent decline in output. Majority of the farmers sold their products on the farm due to high transportation cost and bad road. Policy efforts should include increasing use of yield-enhancing practices and improving rural infrastructure and marketing.

Keywords: Cassava, yield, profitability, technology, and market. 

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of labour use and production efficiency of food crop farms in Ogun State, Nigeria 

Dimeji Solanke¹, Kayode Olakeinde¹ and Judith Adedeji²

¹Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Department of Agricultural Administration, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 November,  2015

Abstract

This study examined the pattern (sources and contract form) of labour use and the effects on production efficiency of food crop farms in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study was based on primary data collected from a cross - section of 170 food crop farmers that were selected using a multistage sampling technique. The data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and regression (Multinomial logit, Tobit and Stochastic frontier) techniques. The study showed that majority (82.4%) of the food crop farmers were males, aged between 41 and 60 years (66.4%) and had at least primary school education (91.2%). The mean household size was five persons. The mean farm size was 1.8 ha with a mean farming experience of 25 years. The most widely used labour source for crop production in the area was household members. However, 64.1% of the farmers also recruited some hired labour. These were mostly employed on annual (46.8%) and /or job specific (33.9%) contracts. The mean labour use by farmers in the sample was 72.6 manday/ha; 34.6% of which were supplied by household members, 33.5% by labour hired on Annual Contract (AC), 14.5% by labour hired on Job Specific Contract (JSC) and the rest (10.8%) by Daily Paid Contract (DPC). The mean technical, allocative and overall economic efficiency were respectively 81.9, 42.0 and 34.4.0%. Stochastic frontier and Tobit regression analysis revealed that while the use of labour hired on DPC is associated with higher Technical Efficiency (TE), Allocative Efficiency (AE) and overall Economic Efficiency (EE) than what obtained with reliance on only household labour, the difference are not statistically significant. However, the use of labour hired on JSC is associated with significantly (p<0.01) higher TE but significantly (p<0.01) lower AE and overall EE. Similar results were obtained in respect of AC, while the use of labour saving technologies (herbicides and tractor services) were revealed to be associated with significantly (p<0.05) higher TE, AE and EE. The study concludes that although the use of JSC and AC could increase TE of farmers, it is at a cost of higher allocative and overall economic inefficiency. However, EE could be enhanced by increase use of labour saving technology including herbicides and tractor services. Hence the study recommends farmers should be taught the modern technology of food crop production to enhance the efficiency of production.

Key words: Food crop farms, production efficiency, Ogun State, Nigeria.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 215-223, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of farm management skills in small scale broiler poultry producers in Botswana

S. P. Baliyan* and D.S. Marumo

Department of Agricultural Economics, Education and Extension, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gaborone, Botswana

*Corresponding author.E-mail: [email protected]

Received 04 February, 2016; Accepted 25 February, 2016

Abstract

This quantitative study analyzed farm management skills among  smallscale broiler poultry producers in Botswana.The study adopted an exploratory and descriptive survey research design. Seven areas of farm management skills namely; planning skills, accounting and financial management skills, production management skills, product procurement and marketing skills, decision making skills, risk management skills, and specific technical skills were analysed. A valid and reliable questionnaire composed of 63 closed-end statements/items under seven areas of farm management skills was used for data collection through a survey of 60 randomly sampled small scale poultry farm operators in Botswana. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistical tools whereby the level of farm management skills were determined by calculating means and standard deviations of the management skill. Findings revealed that the broiler producers had skills above  average level only in specific technical skills whereas the skill levels in the remaining six farm management skills were found below the average level. Therefore, in order to improve the efficiency and productivity of broiler farming, it was recommended that the small scale broiler poultry producers should be adequately trained in areas of planning skills, financial management skills, production management skills, product procurement and marketing skills, decision making skills and risk management skills.

Keywords: Botswana, broiler production, farm management, level of skills, management skills, poultry production, small scale farmers.