African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Empirical analysis of agricultural growth and unemployment in Nigeria

O. E. Ayinde

Department of Agric – Economics and Farm Management, University of Ilorin, P. M. B.1515, Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria. E- mail: [email protected]. Tel- +234-8038309935.

Accepted 13 January, 2019

Abstract

Unemployment is a worldwide economic problem. It is a main cause of poverty. Poverty alleviation has been a great concern to developing countries. The economic cost of unemployment on a society necessitates this study. Consequently, this study analyses the Nigerian agricultural growth rate and examines the linkage and dimension of agricultural growth and unemployment rates. Time series data were employed with the aid of some statistical tools such as t – test, Granger Causality test and regression analysis. Results showed that Nigerian agricultural growth rate has an inverse relationship with unemployment and re – establish the Cobb webb theory. In addition, increase in agricultural growth decrease unemployment and thus can alleviate poverty. Consequently, recommending polices to alleviate poverty should focus on increasing agricultural growth.

Key words: Agricultural growth rate, unemployment rate, Granger Causality Test.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determining factors influencing rural entrepreneurs’ success: A case study of Mahidasht township in Kermanshah province of Iran

Abdolhamid Papzan¹*, Kiumars Zarafshani¹, Malekeh Tavakoli² and Mahya Papzan³

¹Assistant Professor, Agricultural Extension and Education Department, College of Agriculture, Razi University of Kermanshah, Iran.

²Rural Development, Agricultural Extension and Education Department, College of Agriculture, Razi University of Kermanshah, Iran.

³Razi University of Kermanshah, Iran.

Accepted 16 December, 2018

Abstract

This exploratory descriptive study examined factors determining the success of rural entrepreneurs in Mahidasht township of Kermanshah province in Iran. The hypothesis is proposed that success of rural entrepreneurs is causally related to innovativeness, need for achievement, lack of bureaucracy, internal locus of control, and marketing opportunities. The study was a census of 70 rural entrepreneurs currently active in agricultural and livestock productions. A valid and reliable instrument was used to collect data. The results revealed that internal factors such as innovativeness, need for achievement, internal locus of control and external factors such as bureaucracy and marketing opportunities accounted for 88% of the shared variance with entrepreneurs’ success. Structural equation modeling based on the co variances between the measures yielded an acceptable fit of the proposed model.

Key words: Rural entrepreneurship, success, structural equation modeling, Kermanshah.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Socio-economic conditions of peasant farmers: the case of agricultural technologies’ sustainability in southwest Nigeria

Ogunsumi Lucia Omobolanle

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan, Nigeria, E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 15 November, 2018

Abstract

Agricultural productivity and total annual food and fibre production in Nigeria are pitiably poor much below expectation. This study examined socio-economic conditions of peasant farmers and the consequences on agricultural technologies in Southwest, Nigeria. Structured interview schedules as well as in- depth study devices were used to collect data, which were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed, though both categories of farmers had most demographic characteristics in common, sustained users were older and had larger farm size. The study further revealed that there were significant positive correlations between age and adoption pattern (r = 0.16), age and soybean adoption level (r = 0.15), age and cassava adoption level (r = 0.14), organizational membership and extension contact (r = 0.21), factors affecting sustained use of maize and cassava technologies (r = 0.09) while a negative significant correlation exists between factors affecting sustained use of maize technology and extension contact (r = -0.15). There were also significant positive correlations between attitude of farmers towards improved technologies and factors affecting the sustained use of maize technologies (r = 0.44). However, policy makers and rural development workers should be conscious of the fact that sustained users are older and therefore are likely to be more conservative to changes. It should be noted that younger people are moving away from agriculture and that both categories of farmers require constant contact with the extension services if their current condition is to be improved substantially.

Key words: Technologies, farmers,food production, extension, adoption.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 677-685, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Agriculture and economic growth in Palestine: Growth multipliers from a four-sector simulation model

Abbas Tirawi, Tir Ghazil and Qadura Ziad

Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Quds Open University, Palestine.

Accepted 07 April 2018

Abstract

This paper develops a four-sector numerical simulation model of economic growth in Palestine which permits the calculation of macroeconomic growth multipliers resulting from income shock to agriculture, services, manufacture and non-manufacture. The resulting multipliers are 1.53 for agriculture, 1.63 for services, 1.52 for manufacture and 1.30 for non-manufacture. An income shock to agriculture is clearly the most progressive choice, indicating the need to highlight agricultural development in growth strategy for Palestine. Yet the simulation results further indicate that going imposes relatively little trade off against total benefit. While a $1 Service sector income shock generates $0.63 in indirect benefit, a $1 agricultural income shock still generates $0.53 in indirect gains-a somewhat smaller benefit, but one likely to make the greatest possible impact on poverty reduction.

Key words: Agriculture, economic growth, growth multiplier, Palestine.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 686-695, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Agricultural credit demand by smallholder maize farmers in Ghana

Okyerebea Addo Koranteng and Chen Xiufeng

College of Economics and Management, Department of Agricultural Economics, China Agricultural University, 100083 Beijing, PR China.

Corresponding Author: Email: [email protected]. Tel: 008613910821844.

Accepted 26 August, 2018

Abstract

Maize is an important food crop in Ghana, accounting for more than 50% of the country’s total cereal production. However, maize yield in Ghana still remains one of the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa. Providing agricultural credit to farmers cannot be disregarded because it has significant impact in the development of agriculture. There are two sides in accessing credit thus the demand side and supply side. A lot of studies have focused on access to credit from the supply side but that alone will not give adequate information for policy makers. This study examines the factors that influence the demand for credit from the various credit sources in Ghana using multinomial logit model. Data was sourced from the Feed the Future Initiative. A sample size of 1090 farm household was selected from Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana for the study. The multinomial logit model results showed that farmers demand for credit is influenced by an individual’s sex, household size, education, member of farmer-based organization, location of the farmer and land ownership. It is therefore recommended that stakeholders should formulate policies that encourage demand driven financial services from both the formal and informal sectors. Policies aimed at educating farmers by encouraging and advising them on the need to demand for credit for their agricultural activities should be implemented.

Keywords: Agriculture, Credit demand, Ghana, Multinomial logistic regression.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 665-676, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Perception, adaptation and vulnerability of different communities in Tanzania to climate change

Salim Ndugai¹, Doto Mwaka² and Alex Mkapa³

¹Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA), University of Dares Salaam, P. O. Box 35097, Dares salaam, Tanzania.

²University of Greenwich, Natural Resources Institute; United Kingdom.

³University of Malawi, Chancellor College, Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Box 280, Zomba, Malawi.

Accepted 13 August, 2018

Abstract

Smallholder agriculture underpins most rural livelihoods and national economy in Tanzania and Malawi. Agricultural production by small holders in such countries is frustrated by several factors including climate change and variability (CC&V). Non agriculture community livelihoods activities and ecosystems are also negatively affected, adding costs to adaptation. The overall objective of the paper is sharing research experience on how climate change adaptation within agriculture sector can be strengthened using innovation approaches. Findings are based on a four years action research project funded by DFID through IDRC in Tanzania and Malawi. A total of 16 villages, 8 each in Tanzania and Malawi were involved and a Participatory Action Research was used. In total 360 farmers were initially involved in the project. Findings showed thas CC&V is affecting farming communities, institutions and organizations differently. Communities could adapt better if relevant information on climate and required products reaches them on time. Behaviour changes of different boundary partners like farmers, extension workers, agricultural based NGOs, stockists, media, with policy support (at both national and local levels) positively reduced vulnerabilities to CC&V and as a result sorghum, maize, beans and sunflower crop yields improved. For local innovation systems to work better a collective mobilisation of resources and collaboration of different boundary partners is required in this context. Adaptation program should focus more in supporting action oriented research or programs if capacity to adapt need to be strengthened in agricultural sector using innovative approaches.

Key words: Boundary partners, Tanzania, innovation system, Malawi, sustainable, livelihood.