Analysis of Beef Cattle Production in Eswatini: A Gender-Based Comparative Description and Determinants (Published)
This study conducted a gender-based description analysis of beef cattle production and its determinants in Eswatini. Data were collected from 397 farmers through personal interviews and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and multiple regression. The gender comparative assessment revealed a low average herd size for females (p<0.01). Males indicated superiority in numbers of cows and calves (p<0.01), heifers (p<0.05), steers (p<0.1) and crossbreeds (p<0.05). Significant differences were also observed regarding calving rate (p<0.05), capital and medicine (p<0.01) labor (p<0.05), credit and member association (p<0.1). Age, education and employment indicated significant differences at p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively. Females had lower off-take rate (p<0.05), which undercut market participation (p<0.01). Determinants of production, significant at p<0.01, include location, extension, capital, labor and market participation. Gender, experience and off-take rate revealed significance at p<0.05. Extension adjustments and redress of cooperativism are recommended for improved productivity, with more attention given to female farmers.
Keywords: Determinants, Eswatini, beef cattle production, smallholders
Determinants Influencing the Demand of Microfinance in Agriculture Production and Estimation of Constraint Factors: A Case from South Region of Punjab Province, Pakistan (Published)
This study was conducted in the south region of Punjab province of Pakistan. Four districts were purposely selected to examine the determinants which critically instigate the demand for borrowing micro finances in agriculture farming. The research also attempted to analyze those socio-economic factors which established constraints for acquiring loan from micro finance institutions (MFIs). Research design for this study was primary study along with filed observations. A multistage sampling technique was applied to collect primary data from selected districts through structured questionnaires after pre-testing and seeking the expert opinions of MFIs officials. Tobit regression model and multiple regression models were applied to estimate the impact of socioeconomic variables on the microfinance accessibility and constraint level. The descriptive statistics of respondents along with frequency and percentages distribution was also carried out. The results illustrated that five determinants; gender, age, education, farm size and dependency ratio had significant influence on the demand of microfinance. Farm experience and primary occupation were non-significant. Income level of farmers was negatively correlated with the demand of microfinance. The study proved that three constraints; far-away distance of MFIs, complex lending procedure and high interest rates were top in the constraint list. The results of multiple regression model explained that education level, land ownership and preferences of farmers for informal finances have negative relationship and reduces the constraints to access microfinance. The findings also revealed that for efficient allocation of resources, MFIs preferred to disburse loan towards educated and young age farmers as they are more inclined to use latest farm production technologies. The study concluded that farmer base organizations (FBOs) should be registered with district agriculture extension office to educate the farmers on loan acquisition process, record keeping and to encourage the saving habit. A public- private co-integrated policy is needed to implement in south region of Punjab province to effectively handle the rural financial constraints
Keywords: Agriculture Microfinance, Demand Constraints, Determinants, Farm Production, Punjab., Tobit Regression
Socio-Economic Determinants of Youth Empowerment By Fadama Iii Project In Delta State, Nigeria: Implications For Agricultural Transformation (Published)
This study was conducted in Delta State. It assessed the contributions of Fadama III empowerment activities toward youth development. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the participants, ascertain the participation level of youths in the project, examine the determinants of youth empowerment by Fadama III, and identify the issues militating against youth empowerment in Fadama III. The multistage sampling procedure was used to gather data from 105 youths. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used to analyze collected data. The socio-economic characteristics result showed that youths from 28 – 32 years were highest (41.9%) in the project. Most of the youths (78.1%) involved in Fadama III were males, high proportion (55.2%) of the youths were married, 61.9% possessed secondary education and 88.6% cultivated less than an hectare. The level of youths participation was moderate (x ̅ = 2.53). The major constraints militating against the youth participation in Fadama III were poor capital base (x ̅ = 3.34), inefficient training session (x ̅ = 3.30), poor project finance (x ̅ = 3.29) and poor communication ideas in farming technology (x ̅ = 3.26). The regression result (R2 = 0.840) showed that the determinants of youth empowerment by Fadama III were sex which was significant at 1% level while marital status and educational level were inversely proportional to youth empowerment at 1% and 5% level of probability respectively. The study concluded that marriage and high educational status reduce the tendency of active involvement in Fadama III agricultural activities. It was recommended that training should be given to the married and educated youths.
Keywords: Determinants, Fadama III, Socio-Economic, Youth Empowerment
DETERMINANTS OF NET RETURNS TO AGROFORESTRY IN THE HUMID RAIN FOREST BELT OF NIGERIA (Published)
The study analyzed the determinants of net returns to agroforestry in the humid rainforest belt of Nigeria. The multi-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting the sample. The sample size comprised 120 agroforestry practitioners who were selected from the list provided by the staff of the Imo state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP). The results of the ordinary least squares multiple regression analysis showed that farm size, years of farming experience, tree crop density, educational attainment, extension contact, type of soil fertility replacement materials used, and farmers age are the major determinants of net returns to agroforestry practice in the state. It was suggested that co-operative farming and communal system of land use could significantly enhance participation in agroforestry in Imo State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Agroforestry, Determinants, Humid Rainforest, Net Returns, Nigeria