This study analyzes the impact of remittances on poverty in Nigeria, using data from the 2004 Nigerian National Living Standard Survey (NNLSS). The paper used a multinomial logit model with instrumental variables and the propensity score matching (PSM) method to estimate the impact of remittances on poverty. The use of these methods was based on two reasons. The first is to control for the problems of selectivity and endogeneity. The second is the fact that the implicit hypothesis of estimating the expenditures of the counterfactual group, as done in some previous studies, is in similarity between the group that receives remittances (treated) and the other that does not (untreated). The study finds that both internal and international remittances reduce the incidence, depth and severity of poverty. The statistical tests show a significant Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT), due to internal and external remittances. The receipt of internal remittances reduces the poverty headcount by 11.14% and poverty gap by 9.7% while the receipt of international remittances makes poverty indices almost nil.

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This study examined socio-economic and behavioral factors affecting Nigerian poultry producers' biosecurity practices in terms of knowledge about bird flu symptoms, beliefs about safe practices, and handling products as well as perception on disease risk transmission. The study is a result of incidence of bird flu in Nigeria, which affected the livelihood of poultry producers. The study used a survey design. The choice of location and population of study (Kano, Lagos, and Anambra states) was based on bird flu disease risk map and population of small-scale poultry farmers in Nigeria. The study used both descriptive and causal analytical tools to achieve the specific objectives of the study. The major findings were that producers with higher knowledge were able to make more informed and rational assessment of true disease spread risks, KAP indices are not important in explaining the actual biosecurity decisions of the Nigerian producers. The study also found that adoption of biosecurity actions depends on flock size (which related to income), educational level of farmers, and incidence of bird flu previously in the area. In addition, smaller and poorer producers adopt fewer biosecurity actions, thus they are considered to be riskier in terms of disease transmission. The study therefore, recommended among other things a well-planned education programs to improve knowledge of bird flu symptoms, nature of disease, how to prevent and control them especially the small-scale poultry producers. This is likely to improve overall good practices of handling poultry and reduce the risk of disease spread of a variety of poultry diseases as well as the health consequences it poses to both animals and humans.

Research Background: Although, insurance services are offered by the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation and other private companies in Nigeria; however, there has been a low level of involvement of farmers in the purchasing of insurance premiums in Kogi state. The empirical evidence on the factors accountable for the low patronage of the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Schemes (AIS) in Kogi State are not known. The identification of these factors inhibiting the access and use of AIS by farmers and the provision of appropriate and efficient solutions by the relevant stakeholders can mitigate the catastrophic effects of risks and uncertainties on the farmers. Purpose of the article: The research was carried out in order to ascertain the determinants of access and extent of use of AIS by farmers in the study area so as to of provide appropriate and efficient solutions capable of mitigating the catastrophic effects of risks and uncertainties inherent in agriculture on the farmers means of livelihood. This makes the analysis of the level of access and extent of use of and the factors influencing farmers' willingness to participate in the agricultural insurance scheme a compelling necessity. Methods: Data for the study was collected through the help of a well-structured questionnaire administered to 150 farmers whom were selected through a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Heckman's two-stage model. Findings and value added: Farmers in the study area were males, literate, and experienced farmers. The determinants of access to AIS were awareness of AIS, age, income, and marital status, while age, awareness of AIS, and income significantly influenced the extent of use of AIS by the farmers in the study area. Farmers in the study area can access and use more of AIS through increased awareness of the insurance scheme as well as increasing farmers' income level through affordable loan scheme or outright government grants.

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The study examined the constraints of access to the use of agricultural insurance schemes (AIS) by small-scale farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. Sustainable agricultural enterprise in most developing countries like Nigeria can be achieved through adequate financing especially in the area of agricultural insurance. Despite the existence of insurance services by the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation and other private firms in Nigeria, there has been a low level of participation of farmers buying insurance premium; thus, there is a need to examine the hindrances in accessing the scheme. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economics characteristic of small- scale farmers, examine the types of agricultural insurance and evaluate the constraints in accessing AIS in the study area. Primary data were collected from 150 farmers with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that farmers in the study area were dominated by the married (68%), literates (81.33) and males (73.33%) with the mean age and farming experience of 47 and 19 years respectively. Crop insurance (56%) and farm implement insurance (46%) were the major types of agricultural insurance used by the farmers. Rigorous procedures in claim settlement (3.266), poor government attention (3.106) poor repayment (3.080) and non-coverage of all the crops (3.093) were among the major challenges in accessing AIS) in the study area. The study recommended that the government through the ministry of Agriculture or Bank of Agriculture should eliminate the bureaucratic processes and bottlenecks encountered by the farmers in accessing AIS.

Background: The study was motivated by the lack of poultry waste management policy in Nigeria to develop better initiatives for the development of green and alternative energy sources to mitigate climate change. Multiplicities of researches have neglected the research in this area despite the environmental health concerns and benefits associated with it. Methods: The study was conducted in 2019. Three states with a high concentration of poultry farmers in South East Nigeria were selected. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select poultry farmers and policy actors for the study. Data sourced from primary sources were analyzed with descriptive statistics inferential statistics and a choice experiment model. Result: The result from the study showed that all the farmers depended on fossil fuel for processing and preservation while only 5.79 per cent depended on biogas energy sources. In addition, the study showed that the farmers’ preference for pollution control was significantly determined by pollution fee (p less than 0.01), biogas subsidy (p less than 0.01), technical standard (p less than 0.01) and manure handling rate (p less than 0.01) and the manure market (p less than 0.01). The result of the interaction of the coefficient of variable showed that socio-economic characteristics were significantly determined by education (p less than 0.05) and environmental condition assessment (p less than 0.01). The study suggests the incorporation of biogas subsidy in the national subsidy framework to attract the deserved attention from farmers, private and public on the economic and health benefits of environmental protection.

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