The main objectives of the study were to examine and identify the factors that affect agricultural productivity in Imo State, Nigeria. The method of proportionate random sampling technique was used in selecting a sample of 99 farmers who were interviewed using validated, structured questionnaire. Primary data collected were analyzed using frequencies, means, and the Ordinary Least Squares multiple regression analysis technique. The results of the analysis show that the marginal value products estimated for farmland, planting materials, chemical fertilizer and labour are 0.0654, 0.0615, 0.0871 and 0.0831 respectively. Yam/cassava/maize/vegetable/melon combination was identified as the main crop combination practiced by the farmers in the state. Analysis of resource use efficiency shows that the farmers are highly efficient in the use of planting materials but highly inefficient in the use of land and chemical fertilizer. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis on the determinants of agricultural productivity show that age, level of education, years of farming experience, farm size, extension contact, fertilizer use, planting materials and labour use are the main determinants of agricultural productivity in the state. It is recommended that extension agents should teach farmers to use the right quality and

This study was carried out to estimate the technical and economic efficiencies of poultry farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. The data was collected with semi-structured questionnaire from 140 randomly selected poultry farmers. A stochastic frontier production function was estimated by using the maximum likelihood estimation technique to obtain the technical and economic efficiencies of poultry farmers. The mean technical efficiency of poultry farmers was 75 percent, while their mean economic efficiency was 21 percent. The generalized likelihood test indicated that, the poultry farmers are not fully technically and economically efficient in resource use. There is 79% allowance to increase economic efficiency of poultry farmers by improvement in technical efficiency.

The study examined gender roles in climate change adaptation strategies used by cassavabased farmers in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. It specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers across all gender levels, identified adaptation strategies practiced by these farmers across gender levels and the problems encountered by cassava farmers in the use of adaptation strategies in the study area. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 60 respondents in the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of socio-economic characteristics of the farmers showed that 56.6% of the male farmers were married which is greater than 46.60% of the married females. The males had more average income of N1,620,000.13 compared to N 133,000.66 for the females. The females had more farm experience than the males, while the male cultivated larger farms. The main adaptation strategies used by cassava farmers in the study area were change of planting date, moving to a different site, mixed cropping and changing the timing of land preparation. Irregular extension services were the major constraint faced by the cassava farmers with a mean value of 3.722 for male farmers and mean of 4.411 for female farmers. It is concluded that gender plays several roles in climate change adaptation strategies in cassava-based farming in the study area. Based on the findings, efforts should be made by government and relevant stakeholders to educate cassava farmers on climate change adaptation strategies along gender lines.

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The preference for cash-less transaction by Nigerians cannot be exaggerated, but despite its patronage, there exist limited access and utilization of the cash-less technologies among farmers in South-East Nigeria. The study analysed the determinants of rural farmers' preference for cash-less transactions in Imo state, South-East Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed in selection of 100 farmers for the study. The determinant of rural farmers' preference for cash-less transactions in Imo State, was achieved using logit model. The result of the analysis showed that age (5%), gender (10%) education levels of the farmers (1%), user friendliness of technologies (5%), transaction charge (5%) and security of transactions (5%) were found to be the major determinants of farmers preference for cash-less transactions based on their levels of significance. Centred on the findings, the study recommended the strengthening of the use of cash-less transaction by farmers by providing a favourable financial environment through better orientation programs, so as to enable a smooth transition from a cash-based economy to cash-less economy.

This study evaluated the performance of small and medium-scale agro-based enterprises financed by selected commercial banks in Imo State, Nigeria. It identified the dominant agro-based enterprises in the study area; estimated the adequacy of funds disbursed to them by selected commercial banks; determined factors that influenced the disbursements and the relative risk in financing them. A combination of purposive and random sampling techniques was adopted in selecting the respondents (commercial banks and small scale and medium scale agro-based enterprises) for the study. Questionnaire and interview schedule were the main tools for data collection and data collected were analyzed using descriptive and econometric tools. The result showed that the mean amount disbursed to small-scale agro-based enterprises was N533, 833.33 ($3558.89) while a mean of N1, 813,021 ($12086.81) was disbursed to the medium scale enterprises. The multiple regression coefficient for interest rate (X 3 ), experience (X 4 ) and repayment rate(X 6 ) were positive and significant at 1% while category of enterprise (X 5 ) was negative and significant at 5% implying that these variables are important factors influencing the amount of loan disbursed to small-scale agro-based enterprises in Imo State while interests rate (X 3 ) and repayment rate (X 6 ) were positive and significant at 1% ; coefficient for age (X 2 ), experience (X 4 ) and category of enterprise (X 5 ) were negative and significant at 5%, implying that these variables are important factors influencing the amount of loan disbursed to medium scale agro-based enterprises in the study area. The risk in financing medium-scale agrobased enterprises was higher than that for the small-scale agro-based enterprises. The main constraints faced by agro-based SMEs in obtaining loans were mainly insufficient collateral (100%), and high interest rate (87.45%). It is therefore recommended that commercial banks should make more credit accessible to agro-based SMEs and at better conditions and cheaper lending rate to encourage their increased production and expansion.

The study analysed the consumption of liquefied petroleum gas and its determinants as a prospect for indiscriminate tree harvesting in Imo State, Nigeria. A total number of 96 questionnaires were distributed but only 90 of them were returned. Data collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Result shows that the weekly fuel wood and liquefied petroleum gas consumed by the households in the study area were 514.326MJ (37.27KG) and 65.92MJ (1.43KG) respectively. The result also identified indoor pollution, eye defect and loss of biodiversity with weighted means of 2.64, 3.00 and 2.67 respectively as very serious problems of fuel wood use. Result showed that clean fuels (as well as afforestation), ethanol cook stove, crop residue/animal dung and solar/water energy sources which ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively were the major prospects for indiscriminate tree harvesting in the study area. Results also indicated that at 1% levels of significance, price of liquefied petroleum gas, price of kerosene, household expenditure, household size and number of times electricity was available per month were the majordeterminants of liquefied petroleum gas consumption in the study areas. Given the urgency of the clean energy access, the paper recommends that relevant stakeholders should prioritize efforts and financial supports geared toward the alleviation of the problems of indiscriminate tree harvesting. It also advocates for LPG subsidization to encourage more users of the fuel. Keywords: Indiscriminate wood harvesting, loss of bio-diversity, clean energy