Analysis of Investment Pattern of Cooperative Farmers in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria

*VOSANKA I. P., **ALAM M. K., AND ***RIKWENTISHE R.

Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Taraba State College of Agriculture, Jalingo

E-mail: vosanka@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study analyzed the investment pattern of cooperative farmers in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from 110 respondents drawn using simple random sampling technique and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The result showed that the cooperative farmers were mostly male-headed (56%) and below the age of 40 years. About 55% had household size between 1 to10 people, 80.9% engaged in farming as their major occupation with farm size ranging from 0.5 to 4 hectares. The multiple regression results revealed that the coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.5404 (i.e. 54%), indicating that the variations in investment pattern was accounted by 54% of the independent variables used for the analysis. The multiple regression results on the socio-economic characteristics of respondents influencing their investment shows that age, income, cooperative experience and credit facilities positively influenced the respondent’s investment pattern in the study area at 1 Percent and 10 percent levels of significance. The study identified inadequate finance, low incomes of farmers, and high number of dependants as some of the constraints on investment in the area. The investment level of the cooperative farmers can be increased if loans are adequately made available and proper monitoring of the funds for specific production purposes is put in place. Also, policy on investment should consider farmers’ socio-economic characteristics as well as subsidy on farm inputs would also encourage farmers to invest more.

Economic Efficiency and Profitability of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Production in Isoko Area of Delta State, Nigeria.

Nkamigbo, D.C¹_, Ovuomarie, O.S², Maduka, J.U.³ and Isibor, A.C.⁴

¹Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

²Agricultural Economics and Extension Department, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Nigeria.

³Agricultural Technology Department, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria.

⁴Agricultural Economics and Extension Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

 E-mail: chinezenkamigbo@yahoo.com  

ABSTRACT

The study specifically examined the economic efficiency and profitability of catfish production in Isoko area of Delta. Purposive and simple random samplings were respectively used to select data for the study. Descriptive statistics and net margin analysis were used in analyzing the data. The results show that feed, fingerlings, pond size and water were statistically significant. The results further revealed that feed and fingerlings pond size were some of the factors that influence profitability of catfish production in the study area as a 10% increase in feed will lead to 2.06% increase in output while a 10% increase in fingerlings will lead to 2.1% increase in output. The response of output to pond size was however low as 10% increase in pond size resulted in a partly 1.2% increase in fish production. Results also indicated a gross margin of ₦424,190.00, net margin of ₦224,020.00 and gross return to cost ratio as 1:31:1 per hectare. Estimates of allocative efficiency were 0.0004 for feed, 0.655 for fingerlings, -4.126 for labour and 6.412 for pond size. Feed, fingerlings and labour were over utilized while pond size was underutilized. This shows that farmers were inefficient in resource utilization. It is suggested that there should be a decrease in the use of labour and increase in pond utilization. Commercial fish mill and modern hatcheries should be established in the study area to address the problem of high cost of feed and availability of quality fingerling.

Haemogram of Broilers Fed Cassia obtusifolia Seed Meal as a Substitute to Protein

NEILS, J.S., CLEMENT, A. AND U.I. DAZALA

Department of Animal Production

Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria.

E-mail: neilsjoel@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Haemogram of eight weeks broiler birds was studied after being fed Cassia obtusifolia seed meal with different treatments (T1 to T4), T1served as control. One hundred and twenty (120) day old broiler chicks purchased from a reputable source were divided in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) into four dietary treatments groups. Each treatment was replicated three times. Four experimental feeds were compounded with processed Cassia obtusifolia seed meal at concentrations of 0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% representing T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Generally, the results showed the Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC) was above the normal value but values decreased with an increase in the seed meal level of feed. Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration remained within the limit of normal range in all treatments. Packed Cell Volume (PCV) followed the pattern of haemoglobin where all treatments groups did not show any level of significance (P > 0.05) when compared to the control. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), T2 to T4 showed strong levels of significance (P < 0.0001) but the values of T3 and T4 were below the normal lower range. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), all except T4, their values are lower than the lowest normal range, but showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between each group. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), have surpassed all normal range of concentration in the different treatment groups, however, all treatments showed statistical significance (P > 0.0001). Total White Blood Cell Count (TWBC) was found to be lower than the normal range where T3 and T4 did not show any level of significance (P > 0.05). The study showed lots of fluctuations and was concluded that C. obtusifolia seed meal could have been responsible. The seed meal could be used at 2.5% in mature birds.

Production and Marketing of Indigenous Chicken in Mubi North Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

¹NEILS, J.S., ²NGURA, C.J. AND ³UNDIANDEYE, U.D.

¹Department of Animal Production, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria.

²Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria.

³Department of Extension and Communications, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

E-mail: neilsjoel@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The study examined the production and marketing of indigenous chicken in Mubi North Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State, Nigeria.  Data were collected purposely from 110 respondents using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Net Farm Income (NFI) and Marketing Efficiency (ME) were used in analyses of the data.  Results revealed that indigenous chicken production in the study area was mainly undertaken by women (81.81%) while the marketing was done by men. Majority of the respondents were between the age bracket of 41years and above (65.45%) while 34.55% were less than 40 years. The spread of gender revealed that males formed the majority (83.64%) with females accounting for 16.36%. About 65.46% were married, 18.18% were single and 16.36% were divorcees or widows/widowers (fell under others). The major occupation of the respondents was farming and chicken marketing (87.27%) which was mostly undertaken by the males. About 67.29% had one form of formal education or the other ranging from primary to tertiary. Marketing experience revealed that 58.18% of respondents had more than five years and 41.18% had below. Values of 40.92 and 168.77 accounted for return on sales and marketing efficiency, respectively, indicating that the enterprise was profitable in the study area. It is therefore, recommended that the production should be improved through good veterinary services and the marketers be encouraged with soft loans to expand both production and marketing services in the area.

Adoption of Oil Palm Production Technologies in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.

*ISIBOR, A.C. AND **UGWUMBA, C.O.A.

*Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Anambra State University, Anambra State, Nigeria.

**Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

E-mail: chinweann@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study specifically examined level of adoption, determinants and constraints to the adoption of palm production technologies by palm farmers in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were respectively used to select five communities from the local government area and 50 oil palm farmers from the five selected communities for the study. Copies of structured interviewed instrument were administered to the respondents for data collection. Descriptive statistics and logistics regression were used in analyzing the data. Highest level of adoption (76%) of the oil palm production technologies was achieved with ring weeding technology, while use of fertilizer scored 62% to become the least adopted production technology. Level of adoption was statistically, significant and positively determined by membership of social organization, farm size, educational level and annual farm income. The greatest constraints to level of adoption of oil palm production technologies were high cost of the technologies and lack of finance. The provision of subsides and financial supports, as best suggested solutions to the problems faced by the farmers, would enable purchase of the technologies and improve their levels of adoption.