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Problem statement: Nigeria runs the risk of slowing further progress toward the achievement of MDG-1 to eradicate extreme hunger and poverty; the fourth goal, to reduce child mortality since over 30% of child deaths are attributable to malnutrition and the fifth goal relating to reduction in maternal mortality. This study evaluated the manifestation of food insecurity in households in Abia State, Nigeria. Approach: Systematic sampling was adopted in selecting households from the three geopolitical zones in the state. Primary and secondary data were used in the study. Data collection involved the use of structured questionnaires. Food intake, height and weight measures of children were taken Data analysis in involved the use of qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: Domestic food production is increasing but demand remained above production. The shortfall along with food import is on the increase. The composite consumer price index for food has continued to rise over the years. Logistic results show that income significantly reduced exposure to food insecurity while household size was an important determinant of food security. Children were more exposed to the incidence of growth retardation and stunting with increasing household size. Birth order increases the incidence of stunting. As more children come into the family there is increasing marginalization of the subsequent ones. Conclusion: Food insecurity is a developmental challenge in Nigeria. The country is characterized by high food imports and declining productivity of agriculture. Malnutrition is widespread especially among children in rural Nigeria. The study recommends family planning education to stern the over bloated population.

The study examined the increasing commercialization of subsistence agriculture and identified the driving forces of the commercialization process. The study defined some concepts under which the process of agricultural commercialization was examined. The study was conducted in the three agricultural zones of Abia state, Nigeria. A total of 120 farm families spread across the state were enlisted for the study. Data were collected bimonthly for a period of six months with structured questionnaires. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics and quantitative techniques. Results show that agriculture is not subsistence oriented. There is some considerable degree of market-orientation. Off-farm income was identified as important source of the commercialization of agriculture. The farm-level determinants of commercialization were labour, fertilizer and planting materials. The production elasticity of labour is high and there are diseconomies of scale. The study observes that the full potentials of agriculture have not been harnessed as agriculture is labour intensive and relies heavily on crude implements.

This 2010 study was carried out in the south-east agroecological zone of Nigeria to determine the degree of market integration and infrastructural and social problems associated with sweetpotato marketing. In a food market economy like Nigeria, an efficient, integrated and spatial pricing system should lead to economic growth. This will be true if the price differential in traded product due to costs of transportation, storage and processing is effectively minimized over time and space. A multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting states, markets and respondents. A total of four states with 360 respondents (comprising 240 retailers, 120 wholesalers) in 24 markets were randomly chosen. The list of wholesalers and retailers who pay stall fees formed the sampling frame. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Analyses of data provided descriptive statistics and bivariate correlation coefficients. Results revealed that the markets were spatially separated but not fully integrated. The major problems of sweetpotato marketing identified include, in order of severity (most to least): (i) the lack of credit facilities; (ii) perishability of sweetpotato; (iii) lack of good processing machines; (iv) inadequate market stalls; (v) high transport cost; (vi) bulkiness of the commodity; (vii) lack of storage facilities; and (viii) the negative attitude of law enforcement agents. The study concludes that in general, the markets in the zone are integrated but not yet perfect. Consequently, we recommend that advocacy on structural lending reforms be conducted and facilities provided to enhance marketing activities and efficiency in the zone. Market actors should be encouraged to form cooperatives to capture economies of scale, especially for capital build-up and to establish bulking centres.

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piggery waste management, profitability, pig farming, net profit The pig is a major component of livestock especially in Southeastern Nigeria where there are no cultural or religious inhibitions to the production and consumption of pork. The potentialities of pig as an effective provider of protein for human diet have well been recognized (Odo 2000). The relative advantages of the pig in respect of this include its high survival rate and ability to utilize a host of agro industrial bye products and crop residue (Fetuga 1997; Ter meulen and El-Hanth 1985; Twrnamasiko 2001) with little or no processing and at minimal cost (Tewe and Adesehinwa 1995). Pigs are known to be prolific producers, realizing 20-30 piglets from 2 to 3 litters per year (Adesehinwa 2003), with short generation intervals.