ISSN 2375-0693
Review
African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 428-437, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Perception of consumers towards organic food: A review
Xia Tong Cheng
Faculty of Silviculture Vietnam Forestry University XuanMai Town, Chuong My District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 18 March, 2016
Abstract
The demand for organic food has been rapidly increasing worldwide, because of an improvement in the awareness of environmental problems, and health concerns. Although the demand for organic food is increasing, the popularity of organic food is not widespread and the perception of organic food varies in the wide public. This review shows that in Australia and other countries, there have been variation in people’s understanding of organic agriculture and organic food, and differences in consumers’ attitudes, motivations and behaviours within consumer groups and in different places, although there have been basic similarities. Consumers’ perceptions have probably changed over time. A large proportion of consumers have been identified as having an understanding of organic food as being grown without chemicals, but the level of knowledge has been variable. ‘Health benefits’ was the first and primary reason for purchasing organic food, while ‘high price’ was the key deterrent to purchasing organic food. There have been various and even opposite findings related to the relationships between organic food consumption and personal elements such as age, gender, income, education, household with children and household size. In some countries, there was no link or minimal link, but several links was found in others. Although most consumers exhibited positive attitudes towards organic products and expressed their purchase intentions, the level of their trust in organic labels and certifications are very important factors influencing purchasers’ decision of buying organic food.
Key words: Organic food, consumers‟ perceptions, Australia.
Xia Tong Cheng
Page: 428 - 437
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJAERD/1061Research Article
African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 438-441, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of MicromediClaim-SHG-Bank-Linkage model in consolidating women empowerment in India
Jawaharlal H. Tagore
Department of Economics, Berhampur University, Brahmapur, Odisha, India. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 09776326907.
Accepted 29 January, 2016
Abstract
It is a known fact that there are three agents of underdevelopment, that is, poverty, disease and ignorance in the world. Micromedi claim in India presently is too small to create a great impact in poverty alleviation, but if provided with new technologies for skills and opportunities for the development of the poor, it holds to change the socio-economic face of the India's poor. The self-help group (SHG) model with micromedi claim through SHG group leading to groups without collateral has become an established part of rural development with financial inclusion. SHG-based micromediclaim which is run and supported by NGOs, have become a significant alternative to traditional medical insurance in terms of reaching the poor without increase in operating and monitoring costs. The government and financial institution have accepted this and have highlighted the SHG model and taken initiatives to work along with NGOs. Millions of SHGs have been linked to banks over the years, but still most of the states are not doing well to establish the development, link up the social responsible process of the poor and nurture the various schemes of the government. This paper also discusses why rural poor easily get the mediclaim from ‘regional rural bank’ by using this Micromediclaim-SHG-bank linkage model.
Key words: India, micromediclaim, financial inclusiveness.
Jawaharlal H. Tagore
Page: 438 - 441
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJAERD/1057Research Article
African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 442-445, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An assessment of profitability of honey production in Edo State, Nigeria
N. K. Adedeji1* and Omoba O. Joseph2
1Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Joseph Ayo Babalola University Ikeji, Arakeji P.M.B 506 Ilesa Osun State, Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 13 February, 2016
Abstract
This research work was carried out to analyze profitability of honey production in Esan North East LGA of Edo State Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of honey production, examine the costs and returns of honey production, access the profitability and problems facing honey production. Questionnaire was administered on 50 randomly selected respondents in five (5) communities within Edo North Local Government area. Ten respondents were selected from each community. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency tables and percentages) and gross margin analysis. The obtained results showed that the majority (98%) of the respondents were male, 100% of the respondents were married and were literate. The study further revealed that 76% of the respondents had less than 5 years of experience. There is no adequate link between the extension workers and the honey producers as only 6% of the respondents were visited by the extension workers. The estimated net profit was N58,864 per honey producer and was considered relatively high. The cost of hive, lack of fund, absconding of bees, effect of whether, infestation and lack of flowering plants were the major problems encountered in honey production. It was recommended that government should assist interested worthy bee farmers with loan or provide necessary materials at subsidized rate.
Key words: Socio-economics, honey, bees, profitability.
Omoba O. Joseph, N. K. Adedeji*
Page: 442 - 445
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJAERD/1059Research Article
African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 452-457, July, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of marketing economics of tomato in the district of Bamako, Republic of Mali
Li Na Pingping1,2, Lu Cheung1*
1Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Economics and Management, Northwest A & F University 3 Taic heng Road, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
2Institut Polytechnique Rural De Formation Et De Recherche Appliquée (IPR/IFRA) De Katibougou BP : 06, Mali.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 15 January, 2013
Abstract
This study was initiated with the objective s of evaluating the marketing margin of tomato in the district of Bamako in the period of abundance 2012. The study analyzes the marketing of tomato and identifies the problems and opportunities for enhancing the gross margin. A survey was conducted using structured que stionnaires to collect primary data from 40 whole salers and 40 retailers. The re sults of the estimation of marketing margin functions were obtained using the relative price spread. This study revealed that the majority of respondents were more than 35 years of age; about 95% of them were female. It was also revealed that 50% of wholesalers were illiterate, while 7.5, 32.5 and 5%, had organic, primary and secondary education level, respectively. The results indicated that the farm-gate price (205.13 Fcfa/kg) and marketing cost (114.23 Fcfa/kg) of tomato are among the highly in fluential factors on the entire marketing margin. The wholesale margin function was affected by the wholesale price (408 Fcfa/kg) and wholesale cost, while the retail margin function wa s influenced by the retail price (421 Fcfa/kg) and the retailer cost.
Key words: Marketing margin, tomato, Bamako, tomato marketing, marketing margins, wholesalers, retailers.
Lu Cheung*, Li Na Pingping
Page: 452 - 457
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJAERD/1058Research Article
African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 446-451, July, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of vegetable farmers’ decision to use poultry litter in the southern region of Nigeria
Ordinaka C. Frank1*, Anayor B. O1, Ogbonnaya G. H1, D. S. Abasi2 and Eket M. Ozeh3
1Department of Agricultural Economics and Resources Management, Akwa Ibom State University, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
2Department of Animal Science, Akwa Ibom State University, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. 3Department of Crop Science, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 29 February, 2016
Abstract
This study specifically modeled poultry litter equation among Telfairia occidentalis farmers in Ikot Ekpene area of Akwa Ibom State in Southern Nigeria. One hundred and twenty Telfairia (fluted pumpkin) farmers were randomly sampled and used for this study. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data needed for the analysis. Logit model regression based on the maximum likelihood estimation was specified and used to analyze the data collected. The choice of the Logit model was based on the nature of the dependent variable which was a probability or decision based variable. The explanatory variables used in this study were derived following a careful review of the literature and observed characteristics of the respondents. The result of the empirical estimation revealed that age, education, farm size, previous year’s harvest, farming practice adopted, farming experience, soil management practice, farm income, off-farm income and household expenditure were important determinants of the Telfairia farmers’ decision to use poultry litter in the study area. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Telfairia farmers in the study area should be exposed to more years of formal education so as to enhance organic manure technology adoption. Efforts should be channeled towards sensitizing the Telfairia farmers on the need to embrace the family planning programme so as to reduce the household size and expenditure. This will enhance increase farm budget allocation and hence organic manure utilization. This study also advocated mixed crop farming system among Telfairia farmers as this will reduce production risk and increase the tendency of poultry litter usage. In addition, the study supported agricultural income diversification among Telfairia farmers; this will guarantee increase in aggregate income of farmers and hence poultry litter usage even in the face of increased household expenditure.
Key words: Telfairia, farms, poultry litter, farmers, fluted pumpkin.
Ordinaka C. Frank*, D. S. Abasi and Eket M. Ozeh, Ogbonnaya G. H, Anayor B. O
Page: 446 - 451
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJAERD/1060Research Article
African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 365-369, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the roots and leaves of lettuce and spinach to determine the levels of heavy metals in Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria
Gbeburu R. C1, Oluchi S. Davison1 and Anthony T. Young2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria
2Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, Nigeria
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 19 January, 2016
Abstract
The concentrations of four heavy metals, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu were determined in the roots and leaves of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and spinach (Amaranthus caudatus) cultivated in Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria. The heavy metals were also determined in soil where the vegetables were cultivated. The determination processes were done by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) techniques. The results show that the heavy metals contents were higher in the soil than the vegetables and also higher in the roots than the leaves in the two vegetables. The levels of Fe obtained in the leaves and roots of spinach were 0.11±0.01 and 0.21±0.05, respectively. The Fe content in the soil was 0.28±0.01. It could be concluded that lettuce and spinach cultivated in Potiskum, Yobe state, Nigeria contained Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu in variable concentrations which may be due to different farming practices adopted in the area to boost productivity. However, the results obtained in this study were lower than the published threshold values (10 to 20.00 mg/kg for Fe and 30 to 300 mg/kg for Pb) considered toxic for plant tissues as well as the critical values or values (Fe: >200-500 mg/kg and Pb: >4 to 30 mg/kg) regarded as excessive. The results were equally lower than the WHO maximum limit (ML) (Pb, 0.3 mg/kg; Zn, 100 mg/kg; Cd, 0.1mg/kg; Mn, 500 mg/kg; Fe, 425 mg/kg; Cu, 73mg/kg; Ni, 67mg/kg and Co, 50 mg/kg) in vegetables. Consumption of these vegetables may not pose health hazards.
Key words: AAS, farming practices, heavy metals, productivity, Potiskum, vegetables.
Gbeburu R. C, Oluchi S. Davison and Anthony T. Young
Page: 365 - 369
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJAERD/1048