ANALYSIS OF IMPORT AND EXPORT ELASTICITY OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN NIGERIA: 1975 – 2009

Igberi, C. O., Nwibo, S. U., and Odo, N. E.

Department of Agricultural Economics, Management and Extension

Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

E-mail: sunwibo92@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study sought to analyse the import and export elasticity of agricultural products in Nigeria between 1975 and 2009.  Data for analysis were collected conveniently using secondary sources.  Data collected were analysed using inferential statistics (multiple regression).  The result of the import analysis showed that coefficient of multiple determination, R² was very strong at 0.750 and statistically significant at 1% (P = 0.01) which indicates a very strong explanatory power of the independent variables in explaining the change in the dependent variable, which was import demand of agricultural products. It explicitly showed that four (4) out of the five (5) coefficients of: gross domestic product (GDP), coefficient of index of commercial openness (ICO), External Reserve (LnEXTR) and Liberalization dummy were positively signed, as well as statistically significant at 1% except liberalization dummy (TLD) that was statistically insignificant.  Again, the result of the export analysis showed that the coefficient of multiple determination, R² was 0.525 or 52.50% and statistically significant at 1%.  The DW value was 2.947 and indicated the absence of auto-correlation.  It was further observed that the following variables: gross domestic product (GDP), commercial openness, output of major agricultural export commodities and index of world prices were positively signed and statistically significant at 1%. The study therefore conclude that agricultural export elasticity was most responsive to output and world price, and least responsive to trade liberalization; though not statistically significant.  Based on the research findings, the following recommendations were made: stimulation of domestic agricultural production for increase exports; expansion programmes and policies should be made proactive on agricultural export.  Agricultural products that are most competitive in terms of quality and price need to be encouraged.

Key words: import, export, elasticity, agricultural product, trade liberalization.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF EROSION IN ANAMBRA STATE (A CASE STUDY OF ORUMBA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA)

Uche Okeke

Department of Agric. Economics/Extension

Anambra State University, Anambra, Nigeria

Victorokeke67@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Soil erosion in Anambra State had many causes. They are high rainfall, lack of good drainage system, deforestation, topography, types of soils, road building, continuous cropping, bush burning and excavation. Questionnaires were used to elicit information from 50 randomly selected respondents from two communities under study. 30% of the respondents identified high rainfall as the major causes of erosion by lack of good drainage system with 25% of the respondents. The study recommended good drainage systems for constructed roads, massive enlightenment and educational measures for the farmers.

EFFECTS OF FORWARD SPEED ON THE PERFORMANCE OF A DISC PLOUGH

¹Kudabo, E.A and ²Gbadamosi, L

^1&2 Department of Agricultural Engineering and Water Resources

Institute of Technology, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin

E-mail: emmanuelkudabo1@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out on the effect of forward speed and depth of cut on the performance of a disc plough in silt clay loamy soil at soil moisture content of 7.3% (db) and bulk density of 1.73g/cm³ at the departmental farm of Agricultural Engineering Department, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. The mounted disc plough was tested at three forward speeds of 7km/h, 10km/h and 12km/h, two different depth of cut of 15cm and 20cm were used.  The result shows that Soil Inversion increased positively as forward sped and depth of cut increases.  The travel reduction increased negatively in both depth of cut with increasing forward speeds.  Higher percentages of small soil aggregates were produced at lower forward speed and 15cm depth of cut. The result further reveals that the rate of Fuel Consumption increases as the forward Speech increases.

Keywords: Effect, forward speed, depth of cut, Disc Plough, Travel Reduction, Soil Inversion, Soil aggregate and Fuel Consumption.

THE IMPACTS OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIAN ENVIRONMENT

I.Y. Mohammed

 Department of Building, School of Environmental Technology

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Environmental concern and political conscription to address them have risen in recent decades. There is growing awareness that it is impossible to separate economic development issues from environment issues; many forms of development erode the environmental resources upon which they must be based, and environmental degradation can undermine economic development. Thus today’s environmental challenges arise both from the lack of development and from the unintended consequences of some forms of economic growth.  It is therefore futile to attempt to deal with environmental problems without a broader perspective that encompasses the factors underlying its immediate causes. Different industries all over the world are trying to redefine their goals and perspectives and make their operations socially more acceptable and resource-wise sustainable but at the same time preserve and strengthen their uniqueness as vehicles of economic growth and national development. Construction activities constitute powerful influence on the environment. The objective of this paper is to underscore the impacts of the construction activities on the environment, assess current evidence and experience, identify the linkages between different construction activities and the environment and draw from these implications for reorientation in design and implementation of construction projects.

TRACE ELEMENTS CONCENTRATION DETERMINATION IN WATER FROM KEANA MINE AREA USING THE INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA OPTICAL EMISSION SPECTROMETRY (ICP – OES)

Achide Samson Achide

Department of Science

College of Agriculture, Lafia, Nigeria

Email: gistwitachide@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Water samples across Keana Salt mine area of Nasarawa State were subjected to elemental analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry technique, with the aim of building upon the information in the database of trace element concentration in water from the area and to assess the extent of environmental hazard or otherwise. The analysis was carried out at the department of Geology and Mining of the University of Jos. A total of 8 water samples were drawn from sources across the study area, comprising of 4 Stream samples and 4 Borehole samples. Analysis was carried out for a total of seven (7) elements which included As, Cd, Cr, Sr, Pb, Zn and Th. Arsenic (As) was detected in all the samples at a mean concentration of which is very high when compared with the recommended maximum permissible value of 0.010 mg/L by the Environmental Protection Agency. The mean concentration of Sr in the samples was. The maximum permissible concentration for this element vary from 0.8 – 5.0 mg/L, therefore the concentration detected may just be acceptable. These observations suggest that water from the study area should be closely monitored to reduce its harmful effects on the environment and health of the inhabitants.

KEYWORDS: Mining, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy, Trace   Elements, Elemental Concentration.