Technical Efficiency in Maize Crop Production by Small-Scale Farmers in Central Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria (Published)
The study determined resource use efficiency in maize crop production by small-scale farmers in the Central Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. It specifically investigated the socioeconomic characteristics and technical efficiency of resources used by small-scale farmers in rainfed maize production in the area. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency distribution tables, stochastic frontier model, gross margin analysis and the Likert scale model. The results of the descriptive statistics revealed that maize production in the study area is predominately carried out by people within the age bracket of 21-50 years. On sex distribution, the study revealed that maize production was carried out by both men and women with females taking the production lead at 58% as compared to 41% in the case of males. The study revealed that 57% of respondents were married, 36% were single, and 2% and 4% were divorced and separated respectively. The study also shows that maize farmers in the study area had family sizes ranging between 5-15 members in a household. The educational level revealed that maize farmers in the study area had some form of formal education with good farming experience. Also, the technical efficiency (TE) of the respondents in the study area was found to be less than (<) 1.0, indicating that all farmers were producing below the maximum efficiency frontier. This study also reveals that maize production if efficiently managed is profitable in the study area. The constraints in maize production as perceived by the study include; inadequate capital, lack of access to credit, lack of government support, lack of improved planting materials and poor market. This study recommends that male farmers should be encouraged to participate in maize cultivation as a means to augment their income and to further improve their standard of living. Maize farmers are advised to be more technically efficient in the use of their farm productive resources to increase rainfed maize production since all farmers were producing below the maximum efficiency frontier.
Keywords: Production, Profitability, Smallholder, Socioeconomic, Technical Efficiency
Opportunities and Potential of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production in Ethiopia (Published)
Citation: Desta Bekele (2022) Opportunities and Potential of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production in Ethiopia, European Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Research, Vol.10, No.2, pp. 14-20
Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum var. L) is the most common Capsicum pepper in Ethiopia. It is growing in different agro ecological conditions leading to economically important variability for improvement. The objective of this review is to study the opportunities and potential of hot pepper production in Ethiopia. Ethiopia has the opportunities of hot pepper production like introduction of new varieties, suitable agro ecology, the expansion of infrastructure, access to foreign markets, and the expansion of technology like telecommunication. Production of hot pepper is limited in many factors like diseases incidence, lack of improved varieties, soil fertility and extension services. Generally, we conclude that Ethiopia has conducive environment for hot pepper production. In future government should have to take the responsibility to improve the production of hot pepper.
Keywords: Ethiopia, Hot pepper, Production, opportunities, potential
Effects of Improved Practices on Poultry Production in Ogun State (Published)
This study examined the Effect of Improved Practices on Poultry Production in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study was based on primary data obtained in a cross-section survey of 120 respondents drawn by multi-stage random sampling across communities the Local Government Areas (LGAs). Trained enumerators, that personally administered questionnaires/interview schedule, were employed in collecting the study data. The study data were analysed by descriptive techniques. Descriptive techniques including construction of frequency distribution, computation of descriptive statistics (mean, standard errors, etc) were used to analyse socio-economic characteristics of the farm households. Evidence from the findings shows that majority (96.8 per cent) of the sampled rural farm households, and by extension, rural farm households in the study area have the age of their household heads (farmers) falling between 31 and 60 years. Majority (94.2 per cent) of the household heads were married as expected. Majority (92.5 percent) of the household heads possess some formal education, which is predominantly at the primary and/or secondary level; an appreciable level of illiteracy exists among the respondents. It is also worthy of note that most (67.5 per cent) of the households’ heads have farming as their main occupation. A typical household in the sample is made up of 4-6 members. The result shows that farmers having 11-15 years poultry farming experience constitutes majority of the respondents having 47.05%The coefficient of income and religion are statically significant and positive in determining the level of awareness of the farmers in the study area. The measures of performance indicate that poultry production in the study area is viable and profitable. Only educational level and number of extension contact are statistically significant in determining the level of output of the poultry production in the survey area. The following are recommended for high production and improved profitability level of poultry in the study area; Poultry egg producers in the study area should also be encouraged to engage more in the rearing and production of Layers in order to develop egg production. Therefore, government policies should also be concentrated on encouraging farmers in investing more in Layer birds and make them understand the profitability of poultry eggs and its positive effect on the economy.
Keywords: Feed. Profit, Poultry, Production, Seeds
Comparative Analysis of System of Rice Intensification and Traditional System of Rice Production in Abi L.G.A, Cross River State, Nigeria (Published)
This study compared the System of Rice Intensification and Traditional System of Rice Production in Abi L.G.A, Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives included the description of socio-economic characteristics of rice farmers in Abi L.G.A, determination of the rate and levels of adoption of SRI, etc. Data were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Two-stage sampling technique was used in the selection of 100 respondents. Descriptive statistics, t-test and Likert scale were employed for analysis. The major findings of the study shows that, majority (78%) were males and 88% of respondents has rice farm sizes ranging from 1-5ha. The rate of adoption was 50% with 4 levels of adoption of the principles of SRI. The t-test analysis revealed t-calculated value of 8.40 greater than t-tabulated. Meaning that adoption of SRI enhanced the income of the adopters. It is recommended that participation of rice farmers during SRI demonstration be encourage.
Keywords: Adoption, Income, Production
Cost and Returns of Paddy Rice Production in Kaduna State (Published)
As a result of increasing population growth and urbanization, there is a high and increasing demand for rice, this necessitates the high attention for its production. This research was conducted to determine the profitability considering the cost and returns of paddy rice production in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Data for the study were collected from 60 randomly selected paddy rice farmers using a well structured questionnaire and analyzed using the descriptive statistics, the gross margin and net income model. The result showed that 97% were male, 88% married and had an average household size of 10people. It was interesting to realize that all respondents had one form of education or the other and their average farm size was 15ha producing about 3.2tonnes of paddy per hectare. The average variable cost incurred per hectare was estimated to be $866.3 (N172,400) while the total cost of production was put at $1002 (N199,400) and a gross revenue of $1768.84 ( N352,000) was generated. Paddy rice production in the study area was estimated to have a gross profit $902.51 (N179,600) and a net returns of $766.83 (N152,600). The study however concluded that paddy rice production in the study area is a profitable enterprise and it also recommended that consistent government policies that would favour increase in paddy production, market information, extension service delivery, input subsidization and credit facilities be implemented.
Keywords: Costs, Kaduna, Paddy Rice, Production, Profitability, Returns
An Analysis of Energy Consumption Pattern in Wheat Production in District Shaheed Benazir Abad Sindh Pakistan (Published)
Wheat (Triticum aestivium L.) is the main staple food for most of the population and largest grain source o the country. It occupies the central position in formulating agricultural policies. It contributes 13.1 percent to the value added in agriculture and 2.7 percent to GDP. Area and production target of wheat for the year 2012-13 had been set at 9045 thousand hectares and 25 million tons, respectively. Wheat was cultivated on an area of 8805 thousands hectares, showing a decrease of 3.6 percent over last year’s area of 9132 thousand hectares. However, a bumper wheat crop of 24.2 million tons has been estimated with 3.9 percent increase over the last year’s crop of 23.3 million tons. The prospects for wheat harvest improved with healthy fertilizer off-take and reasonable rainfall during pre-harvesting period. Energy is a necessary of life for human beings all over the world due to its function in strengthening the security and contentment of the people. Energy demand is growing with the passage of time due to infrastructural and industrial development. Energy is required to perform all the human activities. It is need for food preparation, water heating and cooling, for lighting, for production of goods etc. The study was focused on all types of energy (fossil fuels, chemicals, animals dung, animate etc). A sample of 60 farmers was selected from study area. A pre tested questioner was used to collect data from selected respondents through personal interviews. Descriptive statistics and Cobb-Douglas production function was applied to analyze the data. Result shows that wheat farmer achieved highest amount of net energy which was calculated as small, medium and large farmers is 1368336.88, 1698003.79 and1702527.75 MJ/acre respectively. In production of wheat large, medium and small farmers achieve amount of net energy which was calculated 41525.06, 38590.99, 39095.33 MJ/acre. The impact of various energy inputs on yield was studied. The share of various energy types in total cost of production was estimated. Commercial energy (diesel and electricity) consumed highest amount of energy in production of wheat.
Keywords: Energy consumption, Production, Wheat
Comparative Analysis of System of Rice Intensification and Traditional System of Rice Production in Abi L.G.A, Cross River State, Nigeria (Published)
This study compared the System of Rice Intensification and Traditional System of Rice Production in Abi L.G.A, Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives included the description of socio-economic characteristics of rice farmers in Abi L.G.A, determination of the rate and levels of adoption of SRI, etc. Data were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Two-stage sampling technique was used in the selection of 100 respondents. Descriptive statistics, t-test and Likert scale were employed for analysis. The major findings of the study shows that, majority (78%) were males and 88% of respondents has rice farm sizes ranging from 1-5ha. The rate of adoption was 50% with 4 levels of adoption of the principles of SRI. The t-test analysis revealed t-calculated value of 8.40 greater than t-tabulated. Meaning that adoption of SRI enhanced the income of the adopters. It is recommended that participation of rice farmers during SRI demonstration be encourage.
Keywords: Adoption, Income, Production