The Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) was initiated by the Nigerian government to boost agricultural production through the provision of 'smart subsidies' on some farm inputs to small-scale farmers. This review highlights the successes and challenges of the Scheme's implementation process across the country. The study reviewed scholarly articles and other secondary data from government sources on the scheme. Findings from the study revealed that the Scheme was able to deliver subsidised agricultural inputs to small-scale farmers with relative ease and at affordable rate which was able to boost farm output. However, the scheme is affected majorly by its politicization, the inability of the governments to release funds to agro-dealers leading to late delivery of inputs and the lack of support service (extension) to farmers. Based on these findings, it is therefore recommended that, adequate synergy should be established between all collaborating agencies of the government participating in the scheme to ensure adequate release of funds, timely disbursement of farm inputs and the provision of suitable support services to farmers.

This study analyzed the allocative (cost) efficiency of rainfed maize production in Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 128 respondents. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier cost function model. Results revealed that the respondents had a mean age of 39 years and have large household sizes. The sampled farmers are experienced and cultivated an average of about two hectares of land. The respondents had also acquired one form of formal education or the other with primary school as the least. The results of the maximum likelihood estimate parameters of the stochastic frontier cost function revealed that cost of land and cost of seeds, cost of hired labour and cost of agrochemicals were significant at different level of probabilities. The allocative efficiency indices revealed that allocative efficiency of the sampled farmers ranged from 0.44 to 0.98 with a mean of 0.68, implying that an average farmer in the study area has the scope for increasing cost efficiency by 32% given the existing technology. The study recommends provision of adequate farm inputs and essential services at low cost to rainfed maize farmers.

This study assessed multidimensional poverty in rural parts of Adamawa state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study objectives were to: describe the respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, determine their multidimensional poverty status, and identify the determinants of multidimensional poverty in the sampled communities. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 480 household heads selected from 16 villages across the study area. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, Multidimensional Poverty Analytical Tool (MPAT), and Binary Logistic regression model. The respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics described in the study showed that the mean age was 46.3 years, while the average household size was 7 persons. The study indicated that most (86.7%) of the respondents were male, who are mostly married (91.7%), and that majority (74%) are educated. The distribution of the respondents’ multidimensional poverty status revealed that majority (61.7%) of the households were poor. The study revealed that multidimensional poverty in the study area is influenced negatively by age, marital status, and household size. Similarly, gender, educational level, livelihood activities, farm size, livestock ownership, remittance, membership of group, and access to credit positively influence multidimensional poverty. Key among the recommendations of the study is the adequate provision of basic infrastructure in the area.

The study aimed at conducting a comparative profitability analysis of selected rainfed and irrigated food crops in Adamawa state, Nigeria. Two hundred and ten (210) (with 105 each from rainfed and irrigated) farmers growing rice, maize, tomato and pepper were randomly sampled for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons respectively. The analytical tools used to achieve the objectives of study include descriptive statistics, profit function and farm budgeting techniques. Results revealed that 54.29 % of the farmers under rainfed and 69.02 % under irrigation were in their productive years of 31-50 years. Also 74.28 % and 53.33 % of the farmers attended one level of formal education or the other. Similarly 58 % of rain fed and 78.11 % of irrigated farmers cultivated less than 2 hectares of land while 92.38 % and 89.48 % had more than 10 years farming experience. The results of farm budgeting analysis revealed an average gross margin of N45,448,63, N41,396.84, N40,224.81 and N46,340.48 per hectare for rice, maize, tomato and pepper respectively under rainfed production. While under irrigated farms an average gross margin of N53, 904.68, N43,409.65, N66,520.78 and N66,681.99 per hectare were obtained for the four crops respectively. Furthermore the results of the profit function analysis under rainfed condition shows that labour was significant at 1% level and inversely related with profit. However, farm size, seed, and fertilizer were positively related to profit and significant at 1%. Similarly under irrigated condition labour was significant and inversely related to the profit. Land, fertilizer and agrochemicals were significant at varying levels and positively related to profit. The study therefore recommends that more financial assistance in the form of credit should be given to farmers so as to expand their production. Also, a minimum guaranty price of the farm produce should be enforced.

This study analysis the profitability and management practices among poultry farmers in Yola metropolis of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The objectives of the Study were to: identify and describe the socio-economic characteristics of Poultry farmers in Yola metropolis, determine the costs of inputs and output returns, determine the resource use efficiency and to identify the major constraints of poultry farmers in the study area. Data were obtained from 75 purposively selected poultry farmers. The result of the study shows that majority of poultry farmers are within the age group of 31-50 years; 69% had no formal training in poultry and about 52% were female farmers. The gross margin per farmers shows N1719.43, and net farm income of N1713.43k, which gives the gross margin per Naira invested of N2.14 and net farm income per Naira invested of N2.12. This shows poultry production is profitable. The study recommends the formation of poultry farmers association, so as to source more funds from financial institutions, government agencies at lower interest rate, adequate, reliable, affordable and constant feed, water, stable market and electricity supply to its members. The major constraints includes: high input costs, unstable market, power supply, diseases, loans, government assistance and to lack of poultry management techniques in the study area.