In addressing the problem of low soil fertility and land degradation occasioned by increased population growth, erosion of soil nutrients and extreme exposure of land to harsh weather conditions resulting in reduced yam yield, mulching technology was adopted by the farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. This study used a multi-stage sampling technique to select 105 farmers involving adopters and non-adopters of mulching technology. Data were analysed with the aid of descriptive statistics, budgetary techniques and probit model. The results of budgetary analysis showed that seed yam and labour costs constituted significant parts of the variable costs. The average revenue per hectare for adopters was N412,971.69 while that of non-adopters was N346,456.75. However, the average net incomes were N326,865.02 and N236,087.40 for the adopters and non-adopters, respectively. The benefit-cost ratios were 4.79 and 3.13 for adopters and non-adopters, respectively. The probit model revealed that household size and hired labour were significant factors determining the farmers' adoption decisions. There is therefore the need to encourage farmers on the importance of adopting this land protecting technology and a policy thrust that make seed yam available and affordable as well as reducing the costs incurred on labour will be in the right direction of boosting yam production.
This study examined crop residue usage and determined factors influencing the decision to allocate as well as the intensity of crop residue in Kano state, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 160 farming households in three local government areas of the state. Data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics and double hurdle Tobit model. The results of the study showed that on a general note, crop residues allocated for own animal feeding had the major share. Farmers preferred using crop residue for feeding than mulching. The allocation of the legume residues for feed purposes was about 64 percent; the share for cereal residues of animal feed was 26 percent. Other important competing uses of crop residue of legumes and cereals were also different. These included stall feeding, burning, house construction and fuel. About 17 percent of legumes residues are sold either on field or offsite. Legume residues were major sources for redistributing nutrient within the farm and between farm units (within the systems). More of legume crop residue (CR) was used within the farm/community (88.9 percent) while only 11 percent was exported. The decision to adopt cereal crop residue as livestock feeds was positively and significantly influenced by age, education, access to credit facilities and quantity of cereal crop residue available to the farmers. On the other hand, decision to use legume crop residue was positively and statistically influenced by farm size and access to extension facilities. However, the intensity of use of both categories of residues was mostly determined by age, education and access to credit. Furthermore, results indicated that where both residues were available, farmers complemented the use of one with another. Concerted efforts should therefore be made at increasing awareness and education on the use of crop residues in the crop-livestock system. Similarly, facilitation of extension services in crop residue training and increased access to credit will reduce the degree of residue export from the system.
This paper assesses the potential economic impacts of Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) conceived to address observed low productivity, prevailing poverty level, slow growth and general underperformance of the agricultural sector associated with the traditional agricultural and rural development (ARD) approach. The economic surplus analysis suggested that IAR4D research and extension, with respect to maize production, could achieve returns ranging from 30 to 38 per cent and a maximum adoption of 25 to 50 per cent for the conservative and baseline scenario, respectively. Similarly, with the same range of maximum adoption, the approach could yield returns ranging from 22 to 29 per cent for the conservative and baseline scenario, respectively in millet production. However, the same range of adoption could result in 29 to 37 per cent for the conservative and baseline scenario, respectively in sorghum production. The estimated benefits are sensitive to expected adoption rates but much less so to changes in research and extension costs. However, the estimates indicate that the production of all the crops was socially profitable under the IAR4D option. Our results were consistent with earlier economic analyses which showed that IAR4D was more productive, profitable and acceptable to farmers than the conventional Research for Development (R&D) approach.
The study was conducted to examine the effects of property rights and other factors on the outputs of maize, yam and cassava in three zones of Osun State in Nigeria. This study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select 105 farmers involving growers of maize, yam and cassava in the study area. Data were analyzed with the aid of descriptive statistics, budgetary techniques and a multiple linear regression model. The results of budgetary analysis showed that variable cost was highest in yam production. The average revenues per hectare for maize, yam and cassava were (N is Nigerian currency equivalent to about $0.0067) N104, 487.50, N583, 846.20 and N438, 208.50, respectively. However, the average net incomes were N19, 908.40, N432, 079.00 and N96, 543.90 for maize, yam and cassava, respectively. Based on the rates of returns, N1 invested in each of maize, yam and cassava production yielded N1.2, N3.4 and N3.1, respectively implying that yam was the most profitable crop in the study area. The result of the multiple regression model revealed that farm size significantly affect the outputs of the three crops. Land rights type (having either use right/use and transfer right) and security of land defined by duration of land use affected maize output while duration and ownership type affected yam output, whereas, duration only affect cassava output. There is therefore the need to review the land distribution and administration policies based on the identified significant factors affecting each crops.
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