African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 411-419, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of poverty and its outcomes on farmers in the subsistence scheme in the White Nile state of Sudan

Kibaki Ndereba Musyoka

Econometrics and Social Statistics, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Studies,

University of Bakht Alruda, P.O. Box 1311, Sudan. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 11 March, 2016

Abstract

This study aims to examine poverty and its outcomes on farmers of six Subsistence Schemes (SS) in Sudan. Stratified random samples were drawn from SS. Subjective (sufficient income) and objective (calories intake, food) poverty lines were constructed. The subjective poverty line estimated about 72% to be below the poverty line compared to 83% below food poverty line, thus there is a wide spread of poverty among farmers. The main causes behind this were unfavorable economic policies, and the interference of politicians in technical aspects. Poverty is associated with diseases identified as related, infectious, and neglected and water related diseases.

Key words: Infectious, neglected, water related, poverty, economic policies, politics.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 370-373, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the socioeconomic characteristics of rural women’s time consumption on farm, non-farm and leisure activities in Ohaji/Egbema local government area of Imo State, Nigeria

Okereke H. Humble

Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

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

Accepted 19 January, 2016

Abstract

The study analysed rural women’s time utilization on farm, non-farm and leisure activities in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. The study adopted random sampling technique in the selection of respondents for the study. One hundred women were randomly selected and questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and regression analysis. The findings showed that age of the women influenced the time spent on farming activities negatively and significantly. Marital status, educational level, household size, and income level positively and significantly affected the amount of time spent on farming activities. In the case of non-farming activities, age significantly and negatively affected the amount of time spent by rural women on non-farm income generating activities. Income and educational level positively and significantly affected the amount of time spent by rural women on non-farm income generating activities. Age, marital status, educational level, and household size negatively affected the amount of time spent by rural women on leisure while income positively and significantly affected the amount of time spent by rural women on leisure. The daily average amount of time spent by rural women on farming activities, non-farming activities, and leisure were 10.81, 6.30 and 6.90 h respectively. The result of the analysis of variance revealed that there is a significant difference in the amount of time spent on farming activities, non-farming activities, and leisure by rural women. This study therefore concludes that time resource allocation and utilization of rural women is significantly dependent on their socioeconomic characteristics. Also, time utilized in farming, non-farming and leisure activities significantly differ from each other. As a way of enhancing the productivity of rural women, appropriate gender policy is necessary to enhance the welfare of the rural women and most importantly agricultural transformation is of paramount importance to reduce the drudgery of rural women.

Key words: Socioeconomic characteristics, time allocation, rural women, farming activities, non-farming activities, and leisure.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 420-427, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of technical efficiency of artisanal fishery enterprises in Ijebu waterside of Ogun State, Nigeria

Abeeb E. O¹*, Akinmade Ernest¹, Anderson F. West² and Adewale Innocent³

¹Department of Economics and Actuarial Sciences, College of Social and Management Sciences, Crescent University,

Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

²National Horticultural Research Institute, Idi-shin Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

³Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

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

Accepted 14 April, 2016

Abstract

This study was carried out to analyze the technical efficiency of artisanal fisheries in Ijebu waterside of Ogun State, Nigeria. The objective was to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of the fisherfolks; estimate the technical efficiencies of artisanal fisherfolks and determine the factors influencing the technical efficiencies of artisanal fisheries in the study area. A multistage sampling technique was used to select a total of 400 fishers from the study area. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire as interview guide, on the socio-economic characteristics, production inputs and output prices. Stochastic production frontier model was used to estimate the technical efficiencies of artisanal fishery system and the factors influencing the technical efficiencies of the fishers. The study revealed that majority of the fishers was still in their active age and fairly educated. The results of the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters for the technical efficiency of the fisherfolks revealed that number of fishing gears, outboard engine, litres of kerosene used and quantity of bait used were found to be significant variables in the fish catch level. The inefficiency function of the sampled fisherfolks revealed that age of the fisherfolks, household size, gender and mode of operation were found to be significant factors determining the level of efficiency with a mean technical efficiency of 0.77. The study concluded that age, experience, household size, distance to the fishing ground and the mode of technology adopted were the significant variables influencing the level of technical efficiency of the fisherfolks in the study area.

Key words: Artisanal fisheries, socio-economic characteristics, technical efficiency.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 404-410, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of key factors responsible for agricultural growth and development in Pakistan

Nusrat B. Khan¹* and Benazir H. Jinnah²

¹Lahore Garrison University, Lahore Cantt, Pakistan.

²Project Evaluation and Training Division, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad, Pakistan.

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

Accepted 5 April, 2016

Abstract

Agricultural productivity growth is vital for stimulating growth in all parts of the economy. Importance of this sector cannot be denied as it feeds people, used as a base for foreign trade and provides raw material for industry. Due to its enormous importance to national economy, high priority should be given to raise agricultural productivity and farm’s income. The objective of this study was to find out the key factors contributing towards agricultural growth in Pakistan. For this purpose, the study examined the impact of total cropped area, irrigation water, agricultural credit, import of pesticide and improved seed distribution on growth in Agricultural GDP (AGDP) for the period of 1970 to 2009. Total cropped area, irrigation water, improved seed distribution and import of pesticides have significant effects on the growth of AGDP. The long-run relationship between the Agricultural GDP and the total cropped area (million hectares) was positive for the Pakistani economy. The short run elasticity of the total cropped area with respect to AGDP was 0.47 and long run elasticity was 2.13. Thus, 1% increase in the total cropped area on average could enhance AGDP by 0.47% in the short run and 2.13% in the long run. Irrigation water has very critical position in farm production; 1% increase in availability of water on average boosted the AGDP by 0.93% in the long run while it fostered AGDP by 0.64% in the short run. Thus, it is evident that genuine economic development cannot be achieved without a prominent improvement of productivity in the agricultural sector.

Key words: Agriculture growth, agriculture GDP, agriculture productivity, agricultural credit, total cropped area, availability of water, import of pesticide.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 374-379, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of farmers’ perception on climate change and the mitigation measures taken by the farming community of Central Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia

Senait Afro Ashenafi

School of Environment, Gender and development Studies, Awassa College of agriculture, Hawassa University, Ethiopia. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 9 January, 2016

Abstract

Agricultural production and productivity and the vulnerable sector for climate change is growing in most of the agrarian developing countries such as Ethiopia. Application of agricultural technologies and production packages is the reason for the increasing production resisting to climate change. Recently, climate change became a global agenda where scientists, politicians and experts are working towards mitigations and adaptations both in small scale and large scale. This paper therefore, analyzes the farmers’ perception in trends of production, productivity in explicit and climate change in general. It also asses the household level adaptation strategies of climate change 542 so as to have a conducive environment for life. To satisfy the predetermined objectives, a two-stage sampling procedure was used to first select peasant associations and then sample respondents. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the adaptation strategies of climate change taking irrigation user and nonuser households comparatively as a source of primary data. The study found that farming households of the study area use different ways of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Consequently, 76.15% of the sample households perceive change land under cultivation as a good strategy of climate change adaptation a few (57.69 %) practiced it practically for changing their livelihood. The farm families perceives irrigation technology, water harvesting systems, planting short season maturity crops, soil conservation methods such as bunds and terraces and tree planting are good strategies for climate change adaptation at the household level.

Key words: Adaptation strategies, climate change, farmers’ perception.

African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN: 2375-0693 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 380-387, May, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An analysis of preferences of clients for microinsurance products: A case study from the Mutual Assistance Fund in Vietnam

Germaine Perkins* and Henry Evans Collette**

¹The University of Queensland, Australia.

²Thai Nguyen University, Vietnam.

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

Accepted 2 January, 2016

Abstract

This study investigates preferences of clients for microinsurance products using a case study from the Mutual Assistance Fund (MAF), the pioneer microinsurance provider in Vietnam. The study aims to contribute to improving the ability of the young microinsurance industry in Vietnam to meet the needs of its clients, which in turn, will enhance its efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability. In addition, the study examines determinants of microinsurance and identifies potential gateways for microinsurance to serve the uninsured poor in the population. Our results reveal that the current premiums offered by the MAF seem too low and that they have no significant effect to the preferences of clients over product attributes. In the same line with Tran and Yun (2004), we found that clients are willing to pay higher premium in order to receive a higher level of benefit. In addition, the main factors that significantly affect product preferences are experiences in insurance, mathematical ability and attitude towards risk.

Key words: Microinsurance, Vietnam, conjoint analysis, client preferences.